Seven Castles

Five Elements

                                      

July 15, 2008

 

A long time ago, ancient Chinese recognized that wood, fire, earth, metal and water were the basic elements necessary for life. Later, this abstract concept was gradually developed into the five-element theory of traditional Chinese medicine.

 

Each of these five elements (originally called the "five substances") symbolizes a particular pattern of motion. Zuo's Interpretation of the Spring and Autumn Annals states: "The five substances are natural products; are used by people; and cannot be dispensed with, not a single one of them." The Book of History further clarifies by saying, "Food relies on water and fire, and production relies on metal and wood, while earth gives birth to everything."

 

The ancient Chinese used the five materials basic to everyday life to symbolize the behavior of all objects and phenomena in nature. As a result, an abstract theoretical concept developed. The theory of the five elements is regarded as the basic law guiding the analysis of the attributions of all objects and the relationships between them. The theory of the five elements has passed beyond these limits and now has wider implications. The characteristics of the five elements are described below.

 

Wood can be characterized as "straight growing", as having a germination process, and as spreading out freely. Anything that grows and flourishes freely, then, has the character of wood.

 

Fire is hot and flares up. Therefore, fire symbolizes anything that is hot and has such an upward flaring pattern.

 

Earth serves in the sowing and growth of crops. Therefore, it represents the promotion of growth and the nourishing process, in as much as the "earth is the mother of all things".

 

Metal is characterized by its capacity to be remolded. The character of metal, then, is to descend and clarify, or to act as an astringent.

 

Water moistens and flows downward. Anything that moistens, cools and flows downward correspond to water.

【作者: zhangliping】【访问统计:】【2008年07月15日 星期二 05:10】【注册】【打印】