What is the Five Elements?
The Five Elements is one of the core concepts in ancient Chinese philosophy and natural science, referring to the five basic elements or energy states that constitute all things in the universe - Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. They are not static substances but dynamic "operating forces", which drive the changes in nature and human affairs through the relationships of mutual generation and restriction.
- Characteristics of the Five Elements
o Wood: It represents growth, expansion, dissemination, and smoothness, and has the characteristics of growing upward and expanding outward.
o Fire: It represents warmth, propulsion, ascending, and rising, and has the characteristics of being warm and rising upward.
o Earth: It represents bearing, biochemistry, gestation, and nourishment, and has the characteristics of bearing and gestating.
o Metal: It represents convergence, purity, subsidence, and stability, and has the characteristics of convergence and purification.
o Water: It represents flowing downward, coldness, and moistening, and has the characteristics of moistening and moving downward.
2. Interactions of the Five Elements
Generation (Promoting Relationship):
Wood → Fire → Earth → Metal → Water → Wood
Example: Wood burns to produce fire, the ashes of fire turn into earth, metal is contained in the earth, metal melts into water (liquid metal), and water nourishes the growth of wood.
Restriction (Restraining Relationship):
Wood → Earth → Water → Fire → Metal → Wood
Example: Wood takes root and breaks through the earth, the earth blocks the flow of water, water extinguishes fire, fire melts metal, and metal cuts wood.
Regulation and Balance:
The cycle of generation and restriction maintains a dynamic balance. For example, although "Wood restrains Earth", "Fire generates Earth", which can alleviate excessive restraint.
Abnormal Over-restraint and Counter-restraint:
Over-restraint (Excessive Restraint): For example, if Wood is too strong and restrains Earth excessively, it will lead to the weakness of Earth.
Counter-restraint (Reverse Restraint): For example, if Metal is weak, it will be damaged by Wood instead (originally Metal should restrain Wood).
3. The Combination of the Five Elements and Numerology
The Eight Characters of Birth:
The Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches in the Eight Characters all correspond to the attributes of the Five Elements (for example, Jia belongs to Yang Wood, and Zi belongs to Yang Water). By analyzing the strength and weakness of the Five Elements and their relationships of generation and restriction, one can infer personality, fortune, health, etc.
Example: People whose Eight Characters lack Fire may be introverted in personality and need to supplement Fire (such as wearing red clothes or developing in the south).
Feng Shui and Selecting Auspicious Times:
Arrange the space according to the Five Elements (for example, the east of the house belongs to Wood, and plants are suitable to be placed there), or choose a day that is compatible with one's own Five Elements attributes to act.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Health Preservation:
Harmonize the balance of the Five Elements in the body (for example, if the Liver Wood is too exuberant, one is prone to anger and needs to soothe the Liver and regulate Qi).