Taijitu prior to 1686. It combines several abstract shapes, including a "Taiji" symbol illustrating the mutual complement of man and woman. In socialist times, it was alternatively interpreted as two fish symbolizing vigilance, because fish never close their eyes. The modern symbol has also been widely used in martial arts, particularly t'ai chi ch'uan (Taijiquan), and Jeet Kune Do, since the 1970s. In this context, it is generally used to represent the interplay between hard and soft techniques. The dots in the modern "yin-yang symbol" have been given the additional interpretation of "intense interaction" between the complementary principles. Similarities can be
Taijitu the 16th century. The original description of a "taijitu" is due to Song era philosopher Zhou Dunyi (1017–1073), author of the "Taijitu shuo" "Explanation of the Diagram of the Supreme Ultimate", which became the cornerstone of Neo-Confucianist cosmology. His brief text synthesized aspects of Chinese Buddhism and Taoism with metaphysical discussions in the "Yijing". Zhou's key terms Wuji and Taiji appear in the opening line , which Adler notes could also be translated "The Supreme Polarity that is Non-Polar". Non-polar ("wuji") and yet Supreme Polarity ("taiji")! The Supreme Polarity in activity generates "yang"; yet at the limit of activity it