Watch these recommended TED-Ed Lessons

The hidden meanings of yin and yang
The ubiquitous yin-yang symbol holds its roots in Taoism/Daoism, a Chinese religion and philosophy. The yin, the dark swirl, is associated with shadows, femininity, and the trough of a wave; the yang, the light swirl, represents brightness, passion and growth. John Bellaimey explains why we all contain the spirit of yin and of yang -- and how we can achieve a balance of both in our lives.

Why do buildings fall in earthquakes?
Earthquakes have always been a terrifying phenomenon, and they’ve become more deadly as our cities have grown — with collapsing buildings posing one of the largest risks. But why do buildings collapse in an earthquake? And how can it be prevented? Vicki V. May explains the physics of why it is not the sturdiest buildings, but the smartest, that will remain standing.

Additional references


The truth behind the mysterious holes in Hong Kong's high-rises - CNN
These quirky cut-outs have long been rumored to exist for purposes of feng shui, an ancient Chinese system of summoning happiness and fortune through an individual's surroundings. Such holes, it is said, act as gateways for "spirit dragons" that reside in the hills behind the towers -- blocking the dragons' path to the water could bring misfortune to local residents. In reality, there are often more practical reasons than feng shui for hollowing out a square of what would have been prime real estate.

Feng shui at work - The New York Times
Buildings with bad feng shui, such as the Bank of China Tower, have been blamed for surrounding companies going out of business.

Next Section »