The Five Elements

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In traditional Chinese philosophy, natural phenomena can be classified into Five Elemenrs (Wu Xing), also referred to as Five Phases.  Although the term is generally translated as "five elements," the word 'wu' does indeed mean 'five.'  However, the word 'xing' has been translated into 'agents', 'qualities', 'properties', 'change', and 'courses'.  Wu Xing, according to my sifu (Joey Yap) can be more accurately described as Five Transformations of Qi from Yin to Yang and vice versa. Each element, he stated, is a representation of matter and energy as it changes from one to the next with each one classified under one of the five elements.  It is this constant transformation and interaction that creates balance in the universe.

The three cycles of the Five Element: Productive; Controlling; and Weakening, plays an important part of the practice of Feng Shui. Productive Cycle - also know as "Xiang Sheng" or "Forward Cycle", is a positive transformation.  An element transform into the next by positive interaction, generating good results.  Sequence:  Wood creates fire; fire produces earth; earth produces metal; metal produces water; and water produces wood. Controlling Cycle - occurs when an element counters the next leading to a more opposing and aggressive force. Sequence:  Water puts out fire; fire melts metal; metal cuts wood; wood break earth; earth consumes or hold water. Weakening Cycle - occurs when one element drains the energies from the next.  Unlike the controlling cycle, the transformation is not aggressive and it is often the preferred way of countering an undesirable Feng Shui affliction. Sequence:  Wood is nourished by water, thus weakening it; Metal is weakened by water; Earth is weakened by metal; Metal weakens Earth; Fire is weakened by Earth; Wood is weakened by Fire.

Attributes of the Five Elements

FIRE Season: Summer Time: Midday Chi: Expansive Direction: South Age:  Pre-Pubescent Color:  Red Shape: sharp/pointed/spires Organs:  Heart/small intestine Weather: Very hot

WOOD Season: Spring Time: Dawn Chi: Uplifting Direction: East Age:  Birth Color:  Blue/Green Shape: tall, oblong, vertical Organs:  Liver/Gall Bladder Weather:  Windy

METAL Season: Autumn Time: Evening Chi: Contracting Direction: West Age:  Adulthood Color:  White/Silver/Reflective Shape: Round/Domes Organs:  Lungs/Large Intestine Weather: Dry

WATER Season: Winter Time: Night Chi: Floating Direction: North Age:  Old Age Color:  Black/Blue Shape: wavy Organs:  Kidney/Bladder Weather: Cold/Wet

EARTH Season: Late Summer Time: Afternoon Chi: Settling Direction: Center Age:  Adolescence Color:  Brown/Yellow Shape: Square Organs:  Spleen/stomach/pancreas Weather: Humid