five elements

Chinese Five Elements

The ancient Chinese discovered that the world could be broken down into five energy types, and they were given archetypal names from nature: water, wood, fire, earth, and metal.

In Feng Shui, the five element theory is used to determine which element is dominant or deficient in a space. Used as guides, the five elements can help you make positive adjustments to your space according to your needs. The result is a balanced environment that heals and nurtures.

A fundamental part of Oriental philosophy is the interrelationships among the five elements. These are divided into Conducive and Controlling interrelationships, and are as follows:

CONDUCIVE

From Metal we get Water. In this context, the metal could mean a vessel or container for holding water, so we can say that metal traps water. In another sense, metal is the only element that will change into a liquid when heated.

From Water we get Wood. Water here means the rain or dew that makes plant life flourish, thus producing wood in the process.

From Wood we get Fire. Fire cannot exist by itself but is produced by burning wood.

From Fire we get Earth. Symbolically fire reduces everything into ashes, which becomes part of the earth again.

From Earth we get Metal. All metal has to be extracted from the earth.

CONTROLLING
The entire universe is composed of these five elements. They are interdependent and each is controlled by another. Hence we find that:

Metal is controlled by Fire. Metal can only be melted and forged with great heat.

Fire is controlled by Water. Nothing will put out a fire as fast as water.

Water is controlled by Earth. We dig canals in the earth to irrigate fields or build dikes to keep out or absorb water.

Earth is controlled by Wood. Trees and their roots hold the soil together and get their nourishment from the earth.

Wood is controlled by Metal. Even the largest tree can be felled by the metal blade of an axe.

Under this philosophy, we see that no element can be called the strongest or weakest. They are forever dependent on one another and are equal. They are linked by the chain of life that brings about their existence, and there is no power struggle. Each has its own place and function.

People born under the Water element have above average skills in interpersonal relations and persuasion. They communicate well and are able to wear away any opposition from others through their firm, constant but unobtrusive efforts. They also have the capability to advance their ideas by influencing the thoughts of others. By nature, people born under the Water element are flexible, intuitive, diplomatic and unimposing. They have an eye for spotting things that have potential. Once identified, Water element people are naturals at getting the project rolling. Their flair lies in recognising and using the talents and resources at their fingertips. Fortunately, they never make others feel that they are being made used of. Water people tend to be too conciliatory and will look for the easiest way out. At their worst, they can be inconstant and passive. They also tend to lean too much on others for support. If they want to be effective, they must be more persuasive and assertive. Only then, can they realise their dreams.

TThose born in the years dominated by the Wood element are people of high morals and great confidence. They know the intrinsic value of things and are apt to appreciate all that they have. Their interests are wide and varied and this makes them interesting company. They are systematic in their thinking and possess executive personalities. Their expansive and co-operative natures will allow them to do things on a large scale. Wood element people like to spread their wings and diversify to as many areas as possible. They are individuals who see renewal and growth as important aspects in life. They are unselfish and will share whatever recognition or rewards they receive as they believe in team effort. They will find support and finances whenever in need. This is because others have faith in their business acumen and abilities. Their main shortcoming is that they tend to take on more than they can handle. They may not finish what they start if they spread themselves out too thinly. They must learn to work within manageable limits. Also, wood people tend to be too conciliatory and will look for the easiest way out. At their worst, they can be inconstant and passive. They can also lean too much on others for support. To be effective, they must be more persuasive and assertive. Only then, can they turn their dreams into reality.

InIndividuals born in the years of the Metal element are success- driven. They will pursue their goals with confidence and determination. They are unwavering in their efforts to achieve their objectives and are undeterred by setbacks, failures or hardships. This persistence can, however, work against them if they refuse to let go of situations that are no longer feasible. People ruled by the Metal element can be highly unreasonable, inflexible and stubborn at times. They are self-reliant and are apt to sort out problems on their own. They like to choose their own destinies and will fashion their lives towards this end. They dislike it when others try to interfere in their affairs. People under this element have a certain electricity about them. They have strong impulses which will be felt by the people around them. They also possess the strength and the energy to bring about the changes they desire. Their strong monetary instincts will effectively support their tastes for luxury and power.

People born under the Earth element are serious, logical and methodical. They also possess foresight and excellent deductive powers. They are intelligent and objective and they know where best to direct their resources for the best possible results. With these qualities, they make good planners and administrators. They have the ability to optimise the use of resources and are wise and prudent in financial matters. This has a spill-over effect as they are equally good at handling their own money. People of the Earth element like to keep things in perspective. They are conservative by nature and they rarely blow things out of proportion. Their most common fault however, is that they are too governed by their own interests. They also lack imagination and have too secure an outlook of life. They must find it in themselves to be more adventurous in life. Nevertheless, Earth people will impress others with their sound reasoning, reliability, discipline and steadiness.

People born in the years of the Fire element are born-leaders. They are decisive and confident. They are also more aggressive and positive than other natives of their particular sign. These individuals love adventure and innovation. They are constantly on the move and they like to explore new horizons. They are true to their element and they usually attract others through their brilliance and warmth. Given to dynamic speech and action, the people ruled by the Fire element will try to dominate others with their originality and clever thinking. They have all the requirements to be winners in life but they must be sympathetic to the views of others before taking action. The more Fire people try to achieve their goals by force, the more they will encounter obstacles. People of this element must keep a check on their emotions. Their ambitions and forcefulness may amplify their selfishness and make them inconsiderate and impatient when they do not get what they want. It would be good for Fire persons to cultivate patience and compassion to curb their impulsive tendencies.

Back to the top =>