Final answer:
The belief that yin and yang need to be balanced for harmony and health is true and is a fundamental aspect of Chinese cosmology and philosophy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that Asians often believe that the yin and yang of their surroundings and environment need to be kept in balance for cosmic and personal harmony and health is true. Yin and yang are fundamental concepts in Chinese philosophy and cosmology, representing two opposing but complementary forces that are believed to be present in all aspects of life and the universe. The balance of yin and yang is seen as crucial for maintaining the natural order and achieving well-being on both a personal and a universal level.
In traditional Chinese thought, it was believed that harmonizing with the ascendant phase of the universe could assure health for self, society, and nature. For example, the state, people, natural world, and even celestial bodies were all thought to resonate with each other, affecting the harmony of the cosmos. This belief system, which includes the idea of the Five Phases (wuxing) and their associated elements, colors, seasons, and more, underscores the importance of this balance.
Furthermore, the concepts of yin and yang have also been applied to human bodies in traditional Chinese medicine, where a balance of these energies is considered essential for good health. As time progressed, different interpretations of yin and yang emerged, with some positing a hierarchical relationship between the two forces, whereas others maintained their original perspective of complementarity. Regardless, the concept remains central to understanding Chinese cultural and philosophical views on harmony and health.