At the core of Chinese thought, the concept of yinyang represents the interplay between opposing forces. This book delves into the significance of yinyang, examining how these dualities shape various aspects of culture, philosophy, and life. Through insightful analysis, it reveals the balance and harmony that yinyang brings to understanding the world and human experience.
This rich collection of writings--many translated especially for this volume and some available in English for the first time--provides a journey through the history of Chinese culture, tracing the Chinese understanding of women as elucidated in writings spanning more than two thousand years. From the earliest oracle bone inscriptions of the Pre-Qin period through the poems and stories of the Song Dynasty, these works shed light on Chinese images of women and their roles in society in terms of such topics as human nature, cosmology, gender, and virtue.