Yin Yang

The Yin Yang is one of the most recognisable symbols in the world.

It looks smooth, balanced, and slightly mysterious, which is usually a sign that circles have been involved.

In this task, you’ll build the symbol from scratch using a centre line, a few carefully placed circles, and a little patience.

Draw the Centre Line

Use your ruler to draw a light vertical line down the page.

This line will guide the whole symbol, so make it long enough to give yourself room.

Draw the First Circle

Choose a point higher on the vertical line.

Place your compass point there and draw a circle.

This is the first half of the inner construction.

Add the Second Circle

Keep the same compass width.

Place the compass point below the first circle so the two circles touch at the centre point.

Draw the second circle.

You should now have two equal circles stacked on the vertical line.

Draw the Outer Circle

Place the compass point where the two smaller circles meet.

Open the compass so the new circle surrounds both smaller circles.

Draw the outer circle.

This outer circle holds the whole symbol together.

Very responsible behaviour from a circle.

Add the Two Small Circles

Draw a small circle in the centre of the top circle.

Then draw another in the centre of the bottom circle.

These small circles become the two dots inside the Yin Yang symbol.

Trace the Final Shape

Now choose the final lines.

Keep the outer circle, the flowing S-shaped curve made by the two inner circles, and the two small circles.

Lighten or erase the construction lines you no longer need.

The Yin Yang symbol should now be clear.

Take It In

Pause for a moment and look at what you’ve made.

You started with a straight line and a handful of circles.

Now there’s a balanced symbol on the page.

If your symbol looks uneven, check that the two inner circles are the same size and sit neatly on the vertical line.

The centre of the outer circle should be where the two inner circles meet.

If that point is off, the symbol can lose its balance.

You can try the classic version by colouring one side dark and leaving the other side light.

Then colour the small dots the opposite way.

You can also experiment with two colours, two patterns, or two textures.

The important idea is contrast: two different sides that still belong to one whole.