The Symbolism of Yin-Yang

by Sha

   

There is a scene in Advent Children where Tifa passes out in Aerith's flowerbed after being beaten unconscious by Loz in the Church. Cloud arrives shortly afterwards and passes out in the flowerbed next to Tifa from an attack of Geostigma. Supporters of the CloudxTifa pairing often claim that Cloud and Tifa's bodies are shown in a yin-yang position as they lie in the flowerbed, and that this position supposedly represents their love for one another. However, the position in which Cloud and Tifa are shown is not truly a yin-yang shape, nor does yin-yang always represent a romantic connection.

   

In my opinion, there is meaning behind most of the scenes in Advent Children. This is reinforced by the following statement made by Tetsuya Nomura in the FFVII AC Prologue Book in the 3Ns interview:
  

Nomura : "AC is a piece of work made by Japanese people. In Hollywood movies, I think there is a tendency where the meaning of all the scenes have to be expressed clearly but, this isn't something like that. With our work, the viewer is free to decide how they interpret or enjoy it. The staff has their own answers to all the scenes in the movie such as the angel statue that makes an appearance many times. But, even if someone who has watched it interprets it differently, then that is just another answer. I guess "comparing answers" with friends is one of the ways you can enjoy the movie. I think AC is a movie that makes those who have watched it, want to talk about it with others." ~FFVII AC Prologue Book
   
Although the position of Cloud and Tifa's bodies in the Church appears to symbolize something, their bodies are not actually positioned in a Yin-Yang shape like CloudxTifa supporters often claim. A yin-yang shape is that of two inverse shapes with opposite colors locked together, whereas Cloud's body is actually quite far from Tifa’s. Cloud’s body is also angled away from Tifa’s, and there’s a large blank space between them.  Compare the position of their bodies to the Yin-Yang symbol pictured below:

  

                            

  

The two bodies are more in a curvy T-shape than in an actual Yin-Yang position. In fact, there is nothing in this picture which would indicate a Yin-Yang relationship in terms of cinematography when you consider the lighting and colors. Both Cloud and Tifa are wearing dark colors, whereas Yin-Yang is typically represented by opposing colors. The lighting is also the same on both bodies as well as their surroundings. For another thing, their conditions are also similar, since they are both injured and unconscious. If a scene is meant to represent a Yin-Yang relationship, then something must make it look like the Yin-Yang symbol where two things are shown to be complementary opposites.

   
Furthermore, Yin-Yang doesn't necessarily indicate romantic love. It can also be used to indicate other relationships or connections in the universe. Although it's possible for Yin-Yang to indicate romance, it certainly isn't the only meaning of this symbol.  The overall concept of Yin-Yang is explained in the following passages:

 
Yin and yang are generalizations of the antithesis or mutual correlation between certain objects or phenomena in the natural world, combining to create a unity of opposites. Liang Yi, also known as Yin and Yang or heaven and earth, have a similar meaning.
  

The dual concepts of yin and yang, which describe two primal opposing but complementary principles or cosmic forces, are said to be found in all non-static objects and processes in the universe. This paradoxical concept is the cornerstone of most branches of Chinese philosophy, as well as traditional Chinese medicine. ~Reference.com

  

Yin and Yang are dependent opposites that must always be in balance. The opposites flow in a natural cycle always replacing the other. Just as the seasons cycle and create a time of heat and cold, Yin and Yang cycles through active and passive, dark and light, etc. Yin and Yang evolved from a belief of mutually dependant opposites that cannot live without the other.

    

Yin and Yang can further be explained as a duality that cannot exist without both parts. ~Yin and Yang Theory

    

Therefore, this symbol is not just about love. Instead, this symbol is actually used to symbolize two opposing natures which create balance, as shown in the chart below from the website Yin and Yang Theory:

  

  

As you can see from this chart, the concept of Yin-Yang does not specifically refer to love, but to corresponding relationships which create balance in the universe. As a result, relationships other than love can be symbolized by the Yin-Yang. For example, the relationship of good vs. evil and healing vs. destruction is a Yin-Yang connection represented by the relationship between Aerith and Sephiroth in Final Fantasy VII. This relationship is in fact symbolized by their respective elements of Holy vs. Meteor, good vs. evil, healing vs. destruction, and water vs. fire. This connection was implied by Nojima in the following quote from the Reunion Files:

  

Nojima: Since Sephiroth exists, Aerith must exist. There was no doubt about that one [laughs]. ~Nojima, Reunion Files
   

In general, Aerith and Sephiroth’s connection is that of Yin-Yang for the entire Planet, since what Sephiroth destroys can’t be healed without Aerith, and vice versa. However, Aerith and Sephiroth's connection can also be viewed as a Yin-Yang relationship for Cloud in particular, since Sephiroth causes Cloud pain and sadness, while Aerith brings Cloud happiness and health.

  

Once again, let's consider the picture of Cloud and Tifa lying next to one another in the flowerbed of the Church. Here is the picture:

   

    

As stated earlier, the position of their bodies does appear to symbolize something, yet they are not positioned in a Yin-Yang shape. The cinematography of this scene also doesn't suggest a Yin-Yang relationship, since Cloud and Tifa are wearing similar colors and their physical condition is the same. In fact, there is nothing in this scene to suggest the complementary opposition of Yin-Yang. So if the scene does not symbolize Yin-Yang, then what could it symbolize?

  

If anything, the position of their bodies may actually symbolize a Yin-Yang imbalance in their relationship. After all, instead of their characters being portrayed as complementary opposites, Cloud and Tifa are actually quite similar. In battle, both Cloud and Tifa's abilities are characterized by their physical strength. Both wear dark colors in Advent Children, which again emphasizes their similarities. In this scene, Cloud and Tifa are both in the same physical condition, both being injured and unconscious.

  

Furthermore, if you study the position of their bodies carefully, Tifa's body is contoured around Cloud's head as though attempting to form the shape of Yin-Yang. Yet, Cloud's legs are angled away from Tifa, which prevents the Yin-Yang symbol from actually being formed. If anything, the position of their bodies suggests that Cloud and Tifa's similar natures do not allow balance, or Yin-Yang, to exist in their relationship.

   
Another possibility is that this scene is supposed to symbolize the relationship between Cloud, Tifa, and Aerith. In the Reunion Files, Kazushige Nojima speaks about this scene as foreshadowing Aerith's appearance in Advent Children, and about Cloud and Tifa being healed by Aerith:
  

"There's some foreshadowing that the church is where Aerith is going to appear," says Nojima. "There's a point in the plot where Cloud and Tifa are lying unconscious on the flowers here and their wounds are healed. Also, Aerith has a sort of 'watery' image about her, so we used water to convey her presence." ~Nojima; Reunion Files
  
Nojima specifically says that Aerith is actually present in this scene. Besides, it's quite logical that her spirit is present, since it's Aerith who heals Cloud and Tifa. Nojima also states that Aerith was given a 'watery' image, so her presence is suggested by the song "Water", which plays during the scene. Therefore, if any symbol is formed, the symbol would have to include all three characters. Since Aerith most likely approached Cloud and Tifa as she healed them, Aerith's presence would be in the area marked pink in the picture below:

           

  
This is the perfect spot to complete a symbol known as the Mitsu Tomoe, or Mitsudomoe, which is shown on the right. The usage of the Mitsu Tomoe as a symbol is simpler than the usage of the Yin-Yang. Unlike the Yin-Yang, which requires the representation of a specific shape as well as complementary opposites, the Mitsu Tomoe is represented as long as three existences which correlate to one another are joined in one situation. As a result, Aerith doesn’t actually need to be lying next to Cloud and Tifa in order to represent this symbol.

   

The Mitsu Tomoe would incorporate the relationship of all three characters to one another. The Mitsu Tomoe represents the play of forces in the cosmos, and is commonly seen on Buddhist and Shinto temples in Japan. It could easily signify how the three characters worked together in order to overcome challenges in Advent Children.

   

As explained earlier, the Mitsu Tomoe symbolically represents the play of forces in the cosmos, specifically the threefold division of Shinto cosmology.

  
A mitsu (triple) Tomoe reflects the threefold division of Shinto cosmology, and is said to represent the earth, the heavens, and humankind. ~About.com: Alternative Religions
  
Created from three joined tomoe, the mitsu tomoe is a popular symbol in Japan. Some view the mitsu tomoe as representative of the threefold division (Man, Earth, & Sky) at the heart of the Shinto religion. ~Dreamworlds.us

  

In this scene, for example, the three may actually represent different aspects of the cosmic trinity referred to in the quotes above. Aerith may represent the Earth, Cloud may represent the Sky or Heaven, and Tifa may represent Humanity. The origin of Aerith's name is thought to come from the Latin word "aeris", which translates into "air" or "atmosphere". This seems to be an allusion to Aerith's connection with nature as well as her importance to the Planet. The name Aerith is also an anagram of "I Earth". Cloud's name obviously refers to his connection with the Heavens and Sky, since that's where clouds are found. Clouds also may be seen as an intermediary between the Heavens and Earth. As a character, Tifa often deals with Humanity in ways such as working with the orphans and at the Seventh Heaven in Advent Children.
 
More simply, the trinity may also be symbolic of the love triangle itself, where three people are involved. There seem to be different ways to interpret the symbolic use of the Mitsu Tomoe in this scene. Whichever interpretation you choose, it would involve all three characters and their respective presence in this scene.

  

*More information on the Mitsu Tomoe can be found at the following websites:  Dreamworlds.us, About.com: Alternative Religions, Pennine Tai Chi