Ying Yang logo on secular equipment

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harveyc

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I’m interested in buying a piece of equipment that is precisely engineered and was all set to make my purchase when I noticed that the company logo (laser engraved) has as its foundation the Ying Yang symbol (along with the first letter of the two names making up the company’s name). I was disappointed with this and did some searching, but didn’t come up with much on this. I assumed it was basically a New Age religion. I don’t see anything particularly offensive at this description, but feel inclined that I would rather not have it on my equipment.

I e-mailed the company and expressed my concerns and was told that they would make me a custome one for an extra $20 (the standard item is $345). However, the owner also gave the following comments:
I too am a Christian. In fact, I served a voluntary full time 2-year mission to Japan (my first exposure to Asia) when I was 19 for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where my primary responsibility was to convert the predominantly Buddhist Japanese to Christianity. I subsequently graduated from the Church’s university (BYU) with a degree in Japanese. I remain very active in the Church and have held various ecclesiastical positions in my local church ward (congregation/parish). My wife Joan is also an active member of the church.

While I respect your desires to have your equipment) look any way you like and particularly do not want others to misinterpret your religious beliefs, please understand that there is nothing inherently anti-Christian or a-Christian about the ying yang symbol per se. It is a symbol of opposition found in nature and the human experience such as good & evil; virtue & vice; light & dark; day & night; male & female; rest & movement; etc. In a world often muddled in disputations about shades of grey and what’s right or wrong, I like the simplicity of the ying yang concept.
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Well, this guy obviously has some major differences in beliefs because of his LDS faith to begin with. That aside, what do others think about the use of this symbol? This is an item I would have with me on various travels and functions. The $20 isn’t that much, but there are some related items that I may also be buying that I might have to pay a similar fee to custom order (though some smaller items don’t appear to have the logo).
 
I am a practitioner of Choy Le Fut Kung Fu (and a Catholic) so I certainly would not (do not) have a problem with the company’s logo. If you would feel better about not having it on your equipment, by all means spend the extra $20.00. What will make you feel better?
 
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harveyc:
I’m interested in buying a piece of equipment that is precisely engineered and was all set to make my purchase when I noticed that the company logo (laser engraved) has as its foundation the Ying Yang symbol (along with the first letter of the two names making up the company’s name). I was disappointed with this and did some searching, but didn’t come up with much on this. I assumed it was basically a New Age religion. I don’t see anything particularly offensive at this description, but feel inclined that I would rather not have it on my equipment.

I e-mailed the company and expressed my concerns and was told that they would make me a custome one for an extra $20 (the standard item is $345). However, the owner also gave the following comments:

Well, this guy obviously has some major differences in beliefs because of his LDS faith to begin with. That aside, what do others think about the use of this symbol? This is an item I would have with me on various travels and functions. The $20 isn’t that much, but there are some related items that I may also be buying that I might have to pay a similar fee to custom order (though some smaller items don’t appear to have the logo).
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The yin-yang symbol is a Taoist symbol that symbolizes what the owner said. You could get deep into the philosophy of it, but it is basically not anti-Christian or pro-anything. It’s stating a natural and supernatural phenomenon. There is light and dark, masculine and feminine and like forces in the universe. So, I wouldn’t worry about it too much. However, if you will think about it and wonder about it every time you look at or use your equipment, then by all means don’t buy it or pay the extra money.

Peace…
 
The yin-yang symbol is a Taoist symbol
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There is light and dark, masculine and feminine and like forces in the universe.
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I, personally, do not particularly like this symbol. Not because I think it’s inherently evil but because of what most people think of when they see it. It’s connected with the New Age movement and I want nothing to so with that, not even casually, not on clothes, not on jewelry, nothing.

The two comments above clearly illustrate that the symbol is not Christian: Taoist, “forces.”

I say it all depends on you and what kind of image you are trying to project. Also I would like to add that, as Christians, I think we sometimes “tolerate” too many things.

I’m not trying to be hardnosed but you did ask what other Christians (Catholics) thought. I’d pay the $20; it’s worth it! 🙂

In Christian love,
Lisa
 
A piece of masking tape might be cheaper. Then draw a cross on it.
 
I actually have suggested to the company that they put a cross as their logo. I actually fits quite well with their company name! 🙂
 
We have a poster here by the name of YinYangMom. She’s very Catholic.

I personally like the symbol. I think that people from other traditions also have some truths, and I have a lot of respect for some of the Eastern philosophies. The Chinese seem to understand bodily energies well, and I think there is a lot of truth to some of what they have to say.
 
In the document JESUS CHRIST, THE BEARER OF THE WATER OF LIFE by the Pontifical Council for Culture & Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, Ying Yang is included in the New Age discussion in section 2.4.

While the discussion in the document is not extensive, I’ll probably be paying the extra $20.

Because other faiths or practices may have “some” good truths about them isn’t enough to endorse them. It is better to avoid the possibility of causing scandal.
 
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Neilbass2:
What do you think Thomas Merton would say?
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Um, I don’t know, but how about “Do you really need that gadget?”

I’m less concerned about what Merton may have said than what particular Catholic teachings might apply. Merton was considered controversial with some and I’d rather avoid controversy or scandal.
 
a symbol that goes back centuries may have been adopted by New agers, but that doesn’t make it New Age andy more than any Christian symbols they may adopt.

It is a largely philosophical symbol, as opposed to a theological symbol, and it appears you have missed the difference.

If it isn’t going to break the bank, then have it painted out; but I’d keep my $20, and if someone asked, I’d have done the research and I’d tell them; it makes a good conversation starting point.

However, if someone tried to tell me that it was unChristian, I would treat them the same way as some fundamentlist who went at it with me about the crucifix, or any other item they don’t get. I’d use it as an opportunity to educate. Ignorance abounds.

as far as scandal, I think you are way over reacting. People who are scandalized by something they don’t understand have a personal problem; I don’t.
 
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otm:
a symbol that goes back centuries may have been adopted by New agers, but that doesn’t make it New Age andy more than any Christian symbols they may adopt.

It is a largely philosophical symbol, as opposed to a theological symbol, and it appears you have missed the difference.

If it isn’t going to break the bank, then have it painted out; but I’d keep my $20, and if someone asked, I’d have done the research and I’d tell them; it makes a good conversation starting point.

However, if someone tried to tell me that it was unChristian, I would treat them the same way as some fundamentlist who went at it with me about the crucifix, or any other item they don’t get. I’d use it as an opportunity to educate. Ignorance abounds.

as far as scandal, I think you are way over reacting. People who are scandalized by something they don’t understand have a personal problem; I don’t.
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Did the Pontifical Council miss something also? I called the Catholic Answers apologist line yesterday and the apologist stated I was right to be concerned. How is something that explains good and bad in terms different than the theology of our Catholic faith helpful to building up our faith?
 
Good for you harveyc!! Stand firm on Christ our Lord and the teachings of the Catholic church and you can’t go wrong. It matters not what others think, or how “ignorant” they think one might be, it only matters what God thinks.

Besides, I find it very odd that a Ying Yang symbol will open up a conversation about Jesus?! I suppose anything is possible. My opinion, for what it’s worth, is that you are better off to witness to others about Christ by living your faith and being Catholic first; let others see Jesus, not some eastern philosophy.

If that makes me a “fundie” then so be it. I will be a fundamentalist Catholic until the day I die.

In Christ,
Lisa
 
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harveyc:
I’m interested in buying a piece of equipment that is precisely engineered and was all set to make my purchase when I noticed that the company logo (laser engraved) has as its foundation the Ying Yang symbol (along with the first letter of the two names making up the company’s name). I was disappointed with this and did some searching, but didn’t come up with much on this. I assumed it was basically a New Age religion. I don’t see anything particularly offensive at this description, but feel inclined that I would rather not have it on my equipment.

I e-mailed the company and expressed my concerns and was told that they would make me a custome one for an extra $20 (the standard item is $345). However, the owner also gave the following comments:

Well, this guy obviously has some major differences in beliefs because of his LDS faith to begin with. That aside, what do others think about the use of this symbol? This is an item I would have with me on various travels and functions. The $20 isn’t that much, but there are some related items that I may also be buying that I might have to pay a similar fee to custom order (though some smaller items don’t appear to have the logo).
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I don’t know, I always viewed the ying yang as a symbol of good and evil, looking for balance and peace, never though any more then just a Doist symbol.
 
Do Catholic churches in South Korea have the national flag in the church? Or flying over a Catholic school? Does the Archbishop of Seoul refuse to fly on a KAL plane when he goes to Rome for his ad limina visit?
 
Jamie Burns:
Do Catholic churches in South Korea have the national flag in the church? Or flying over a Catholic school? Does the Archbishop of Seoul refuse to fly on a KAL plane when he goes to Rome for his ad limina visit?
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That is a real useful response! ???

Let’s see, if KAL represented something contrary to the church’s teachings and the archbishop had a suitable alternative at a reasonable cost, do you think he would use it? I think so!
 
A Red and Blue Yin & Yang symbol is also the national symbol of Korea. It is on their flag, and on their airplanes.

My point is that the symbol is as much a symbol of culture as of religion, and avoiding it is over scrupulous, to my mind.
 
Thank you for the clarification, Jamie.

Over-scrupulous? I might be, and that’s why I posted the question to begin with. When I called the Catholic Answers apologist line, he didn’t think so, though.
 
A Red and Blue Yin & Yang symbol is also the national symbol of Korea. It is on their flag, and on their airplanes.

My point is that the symbol is as much a symbol of culture as of religion, and avoiding it is over scrupulous, to my mind.
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The swaztika (spelling?) was a part of Nazi culture and figured prominently in their flag. It was draped over state buildings and placed on state owned vehicles. I choose not to have that symbol on anything I own or wear either.

Now, I realize that those two symbols are not even close to being the same thing (nor their governments) but, using the fact that a symbol (any symbol) is represented/used on a state flag or as a corporation’s logo does not justify the use of it by Christians. I base my objections/acceptance of a symbol upon *what that symbol represents, not simply on where it can be found or how many people approve of it. 😦 *

I guess it all depends on what you mean by “avoiding it?” I draw the line at promoting it, by association, through personal use.

Lisa 🙂
 
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