The diagram consists of two sides, black and white, which resemble two fish, so it is also known as the Taiji Fish (太极鱼) by the Chinese. The white half represents yang (positive, bright and upward) and the black half represents yin (negative, dark and downward), while the white has a black dot in the middle, and the black has a white dot in the middle, so the combination of yin and yang forms the basic concept of Taoism in ancient Chinese philosophy.

First of all, the appearance of the Taiji diagram I think explains the notion of borderlands very well. When two cultures meet, at a cursory glance one would think that there are clear boundaries on the external surface of the two cultures, which cannot be integrated, just like the yin and the yang in the Taiji diagram, and that the two cultures are not quite the same in terms of their economic, social, and political conditions, which seems to be an antagonistic dualism.

But the phenomenon changes when we take a closer look at the internal situation of our own culture and compare it in detail with that of another culture. We find that no matter what the external economic and political environment is, there are always similarities in the internal logic and thinking of the culture. For example, human beings’ pursuit of beauty and success. Like the white dot in the black part of the Taiji diagram. Even this similarity that exists within can cause transformation and change in the whole. The Taoist philosophical work, Tao Te Ching(道德经), contains many words that reflect the transformation and integration that can occur between yin and yang. For example, ‘曲则全，枉则直’ meaning that sometimes bending will preserve you, and if you are pressed, you will straighten. This dialectical thinking explains that borderlands where two cultures meet is a state of unity and opposites, and that there are elements within one culture that are similar to those of the other, and that the two cultures have the opportunity to transform and integrate with each other.

From a macro point of view, just as the two yin and yang fish form a Taiji diagram, only the two cultures in communication can form the overall borderlands. As another famous saying in the Tao Te Ching says, ‘万物负阴而抱阳，冲气以为和。’(Everything is negative to the yin and holds the yang, and the two qi are in harmony) It is the symbiosis of yin and yang that leads to a harmonious and unified world.

In addition, the historical development of Taiji diagram and the philosophical ideas behind them are themselves capable of expressing the meaning of borderlands. Taiji culture itself is of Chinese origin, but over the millennia, as the Chinese cultural circle formed, Taiji diagram spread widely and influenced several Asian countries. For example, Korean culture has learnt and promoted the art of Taiji Quan(太极拳), and the Korean national flag, 태극기, is derived from Taiji diagram. Japanese culture similarly learnt the Taoist ideas and related art forms of Taiji, and the Japanese word 太極 is a derivative of the Chinese word 太极.

Although part of the meaning of Taiji diagram has remained unchanged in Japan and Korea, the forms of expression and specific content have changed slightly, and they are in a state of opposition and unity with the Taiji diagram of Chinese culture. In this context, the meaning of Taiji diagram is itself a kind of borderlands.

Below are demonstration videos of Chinese and Korean Taiji Quan that I found, so you can get a feel for the similarities and differences between them as you watch.

Korean: https://youtu.be/JHWYqerDqWk?si=VIFofxk5jBKx3_6A

Chinese: https://youtube.com/shorts/KQ0xV1UroQ8?si=gq6Abb1R-pElUXEc

This image highlights the delicate balance within a small ecosystem, where plants and animals both play an essential role in maintaining harmony. Referring to the food chain (e.g. water plants - insect larvae - frog - duck), every species not only depends on itself but also depends on others in the cycle for survival, thus creating an interconnected web that can keep the whole system functioning. However, if one species reproduces excessively, it will do harm to this balance, deplete resources, and lead to the decline or extinction of other species, ultimately putting the ecosystem's stability at risk.

Beyond its internal dynamics, the ecosystem is also shaped by external factors such as climate change, human activity, and seasonal shifts. While these factors can sometimes offer opportunities--like introducing new species to enhance biodiversity, they can also bring unforeseen challenges. For example, invasive species or habitat destruction can somewhat destroy the balance, displacing animals and depriving plants of suitable habitats.

Overall, the ecosystem remains in a constant state of change, shaped by a mix of internal relationships and external forces that bring both potential benefits and risks. Just as "technologies of the self", sometimes it’s not only about learning to reconcile with yourself (自洽) but also about listening to the voices of your family and friends. Although there is an overall sense of balance, this balance is fluid and requires flexibility in facing opportunities and challenges.

links for listening to natural sounds:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwenk-MvUWc

My example of Borderlands/Neplanta was enlightened by the film Flow (2024). It tells a story about "the world seems to be coming to an end, teeming with the vestiges of a human presence. Cat is a solitary animal, but as its home is devastated by a great flood, he finds refuge on a boat populated by various species, and will have to team up with them despite their differences. In the lonesome boat sailing through mystical overflowed landscapes, they navigate the challenges and dangers of adapting to this new world" (IMDb, 2025).

In this film, the plot is developed through the cat's perspective, who meets an empty boat driven by a capybara during the flood. As the images proceed, they happen to contain more animals such as a lemur, a dog, and a secretary bird. These species do not communicate with spoken language, but they have to work together to overcome the flood. Their different species and languages function as the borderlands, yet their co-existence to survive on the boat pushes them to stay in harmony in that world of Nepantla (the film does not show where the flood comes from or why the water level goes back to normal).

The tension is generated between tradition and modernity, as ancient cultural values coexist with rapidly advancing societal changes. The coexistence of modern and traditional buildings also exemplifies the progress of time and the evolution of society.

From an inner spiritual perspective, the temples showcase the inner spiritual ground, whereas the modern constructions symbolize the external, outward expansion. Besides the tension, this coexistence of traditional temples and modern architecture enables the creative formation of a new space.

link to night view in Kyoto:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEK9kSHmdgo