Chapter 36: The Five Elements — 五行 — Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water
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A RECORD OF ALL THINGS UNDER HEAVEN
As gathered from the oldest accounts that remain
PROLOGUE — CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
On the Matter of the Five Elements — 五行 — Wu Xing
They are called the Wu Xing — 五行.
Wu — 五 — means five.
Xing — 行 — means moving. Walking. Going. Flowing. The thing that is in motion.
Together — 五行 — the Five Movements. The Five Phases. The Five Agents.
They are not elements in the Western sense. They are not substances. They are phases of transformation. They are the ways that Qi — 氣 — moves through the world.
The Five Phases are:
Wood — 木 — Mu.
Fire — 火 — Huo.
Earth — 土 — Tu.
Metal — 金 — Jin.
Water — 水 — Shui.
They are the five forms of Qi in motion. They are the five qualities of change. They are the five categories into which all things can be placed. They are the five relationships that govern the interaction of all things.
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On the oldest records of the Five Elements.
The concept of the Five Elements appears in the earliest Chinese texts.
The Shangshu — 尚書 — the Book of Documents — one of the Five Classics — 五經 — Wu Jing — contains the first recorded list. The Shangshu was compiled during the Western Zhou dynasty — 西周 — Xi Zhou — approximately 1046 to 771 before the common era. It claims to record events from the Xia dynasty — 夏朝 — Xia Chao — which would place its origin before 1600 before the common era. The dating is disputed. The text is ancient.
The Hongfan — 洪範 — the Great Plan — chapter of the Shangshu states: the first of the Nine Categories is the Five Elements. The first is Water. The second is Fire. The third is Wood. The fourth is Metal. The fifth is Earth. Water soaks and descends. Fire blazes and ascends. Wood is crooked and straight. Metal yields and changes. Earth is for sowing and reaping.
This is the oldest surviving list of the Five Elements. The order is Water first. Fire second. Wood third. Metal fourth. Earth fifth. The order differs from later classifications. The text does not explain why Water is first. It records the order without explanation.
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On the second record. The Zuozhuan — 左傳.
The Zuozhuan — 左傳 — the Commentary of Zuo — compiled during the Warring States period — 戰國時代 — Zhanguo Shidai — records a different order.
It states: heaven produces the five elements. The people use them. They are used for all purposes. They cannot be dispensed with for a single moment.
The Zuozhuan does not list the order. It states that the five elements exist. It states that they are used by the people. It states that they are necessary for civilization.
The text also records: the five elements are the five materials from which all things are made. They are the substance of the world.
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On the third record. The Guoyu — 國語 — Discourses of the States.
The Guoyu — 國語 — compiled during the Warring States period — records a conversation about the Five Elements.
The text states: the five elements are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water. They are the five materials. They are what the world is made of. They are what the sage kings used to regulate the state.
This is the first record of the order that became standard: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water.
The text does not explain why this order was chosen. It records the order without explanation.
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On the fourth record. The Huainanzi — 淮南子.
The Huainanzi — 淮南子 — compiled under Liu An — 劉安 — around 139 before the common era — presents the most complete account of the Five Elements as a cosmological system.
It states: heaven and earth were formed from Qi. The Qi separated into Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang interacted to produce the Five Elements. The Five Elements produced the ten thousand things.
The text then lists the Five Elements in the standard order: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water.
It then describes the generating cycle — 生 — sheng — the cycle in which each element gives birth to the next.
Wood generates Fire. Fire generates Earth. Earth generates Metal. Metal generates Water. Water generates Wood.
It then describes the controlling cycle — 克 — ke — the cycle in which each element controls or restrains another.
Wood controls Earth. Earth controls Water. Water controls Fire. Fire controls Metal. Metal controls Wood.
The Huainanzi does not claim to have invented these cycles. It records them as the received knowledge of the age.
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On the generating cycle — 相生 — Xiang Sheng.
The generating cycle is the cycle of birth and growth.
Wood generates Fire.
Wood is the phase of expansion. Fire is the phase of peak activity. Wood expands. It reaches its limit. At that limit, it bursts into flame. Wood becomes Fire. This is generation.
Fire generates Earth.
Fire is the phase of transformation. It consumes what it touches. It reduces form to ash. The ash settles. It becomes Earth. This is generation.
Earth generates Metal.
Earth is the phase of stability. It holds all things. Within Earth, minerals condense. They harden. They become Metal. This is generation.
Metal generates Water.
Metal is the phase of contraction. It cools. It condenses. Moisture forms on its surface. The moisture gathers. It becomes Water. This is generation.
Water generates Wood.
Water is the phase of storage. It sinks. It accumulates. It nourishes the seed. The seed sprouts. It pushes upward. It becomes Wood. This is generation.
The cycle returns to its beginning. It has no end. It has no start. It is a circle.
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On the controlling cycle — 相克 — Xiang Ke.
The controlling cycle is the cycle of restraint and regulation.
Wood controls Earth.
Wood is the phase of expansion. Earth is the phase of stability. Wood roots penetrate Earth. Wood breaks Earth apart. Wood regulates Earth. Without Wood, Earth would be immovable. Without Earth, Wood would have nothing to root in. This is control.
Earth controls Water.
Earth is the phase of stability. Water is the phase of flow. Earth dams Water. Earth channels Water. Earth gives Water direction. Without Earth, Water would flood everything. Without Water, Earth would be barren. This is control.
Water controls Fire.
Water is the phase of storage. Fire is the phase of transformation. Water extinguishes Fire. Water cools Fire. Water sets the limit of Fire. Without Water, Fire would consume everything. Without Fire, Water would be frozen. This is control.
Fire controls Metal.
Fire is the phase of transformation. Metal is the phase of contraction. Fire melts Metal. Fire shapes Metal. Fire gives Metal form. Without Fire, Metal would be brittle and useless. Without Metal, Fire would have nothing to shape. This is control.
Metal controls Wood.
Metal is the phase of contraction. Wood is the phase of expansion. Metal cuts Wood. Metal limits Wood. Metal gives Wood form. Without Metal, Wood would grow without boundary. Without Wood, Metal would have nothing to cut. This is control.
The controlling cycle is the cycle of limitation. Each element limits the next. No element grows without limit. No element acts without restraint.
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On the five elements as phases.
The Five Elements are not substances. They are phases.
Wood is not only wood. Wood is the phase of expansion. It is the phase of growth. It is the phase of spring. It is the phase of morning. It is the phase of the east. It is the phase of the color green. It is the phase of the taste sour. It is the phase of the emotion anger. It is the phase of the organ liver. It is the phase of the planet Jupiter. It is the phase of the dragon. It is the phase of the number eight.
Fire is not only fire. Fire is the phase of peak activity. It is the phase of transformation. It is the phase of summer. It is the phase of noon. It is the phase of the south. It is the phase of the color red. It is the phase of the taste bitter. It is the phase of the emotion joy. It is the phase of the organ heart. It is the phase of the planet Mars. It is the phase of the phoenix. It is the phase of the number seven.
Earth is not only earth. Earth is the phase of stability. It is the phase of nourishment. It is the phase of late summer. It is the phase of the afternoon. It is the phase of the center. It is the phase of the color yellow. It is the phase of the taste sweet. It is the phase of the emotion sympathy. It is the phase of the organ spleen. It is the phase of the planet Saturn. It is the phase of the Yellow Dragon. It is the phase of the number five.
Metal is not only metal. Metal is the phase of contraction. It is the phase of clarification. It is the phase of autumn. It is the phase of evening. It is the phase of the west. It is the phase of the color white. It is the phase of the taste pungent. It is the phase of the emotion grief. It is the phase of the organ lung. It is the phase of the planet Venus. It is the phase of the tiger. It is the phase of the number nine.
Water is not only water. Water is the phase of storage. It is the phase of potential. It is the phase of winter. It is the phase of midnight. It is the phase of the north. It is the phase of the color black. It is the phase of the taste salty. It is the phase of the emotion fear. It is the phase of the organ kidney. It is the phase of the planet Mercury. It is the phase of the tortoise. It is the phase of the number six.
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On the associations of Wood — 木 — Mu.
Wood is the phase of expansion.
Its direction is east — 東 — dong.
Its season is spring — 春 — chun.
Its color is green — 青 — qing. Also blue. Also the color of new growth.
Its taste is sour — 酸 — suan.
Its emotion is anger — 怒 — nu. Also the energy that pushes outward against resistance.
Its organ is the liver — 肝 — gan. The liver stores blood. The liver regulates the flow of Qi. The liver is the organ of planning.
Its sensory organ is the eye — 目 — mu. Wood sees. Wood perceives what is coming.
Its sound is shouting — 呼 — hu. The sound of expansion. The sound of pushing outward.
Its number is eight — 八 — ba.
Its planet is Jupiter — 木星 — Mu Xing — the Wood Star.
Its creature is the Azure Dragon — 青龍 — Qinglong. The dragon of the east. The dragon of spring. The dragon of dawn.
Its grain is wheat — 麥 — mai.
Its animal is the dog — 狗 — gou.
Its climate is wind — 風 — feng. Wind is the movement of Qi. Wind is Wood in motion.
Its virtue is benevolence — 仁 — ren. The virtue that expands outward. The virtue that embraces all things.
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On the associations of Fire — 火 — Huo.
Fire is the phase of peak activity.
Its direction is south — 南 — nan.
Its season is summer — 夏 — xia.
Its color is red — 赤 — chi. Also vermilion. Also the color of the sun at noon.
Its taste is bitter — 苦 — ku.
Its emotion is joy — 喜 — xi. The emotion of fullness. The emotion of reaching the peak.
Its organ is the heart — 心 — xin. The heart rules the blood. The heart houses the Shen — 神 — the spirit. The heart is the organ of consciousness.
Its sensory organ is the tongue — 舌 — she. Fire tastes. Fire discriminates.
Its sound is laughing — 笑 — xiao. The sound of joy. The sound of fullness.
Its number is seven — 七 — qi.
Its planet is Mars — 火星 — Huo Xing — the Fire Star.
Its creature is the Vermilion Bird — 朱雀 — Zhuque. The bird of the south. The bird of summer. The bird of noon.
Its grain is glutinous millet — 黍 — shu.
Its animal is the goat — 羊 — yang.
Its climate is heat — 暑 — shu. Heat is Fire in motion.
Its virtue is propriety — 禮 — li. The virtue that regulates expression. The virtue that gives form to joy.
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On the associations of Earth — 土 — Tu.
Earth is the phase of stability.
Its direction is center — 中 — zhong. Earth is not east, south, west, or north. Earth is what the directions surround.
Its season is late summer — 長夏 — chang xia. The period between summer and autumn. The pivot of the year.
Its color is yellow — 黃 — huang. The color of the central soil. The color of the emperor.
Its taste is sweet — 甘 — gan.
Its emotion is sympathy — 思 — si. Also pensiveness. Also the capacity to hold what is given.
Its organ is the spleen — 脾 — pi. The spleen governs transformation. The spleen extracts the pure from the impure. The spleen is the organ of thought.
Its sensory organ is the mouth — 口 — kou. Earth receives. Earth tastes the sweet.
Its sound is singing — 歌 — ge. The sound of stability. The sound of nourishment.
Its number is five — 五 — wu.
Its planet is Saturn — 土星 — Tu Xing — the Earth Star.
Its creature is the Yellow Dragon — 黃龍 — Huanglong. The dragon of the center. The dragon of the pivot.
Its grain is millet — 稷 — ji.
Its animal is the ox — 牛 — niu.
Its climate is dampness — 濕 — shi. Dampness is Earth in motion.
Its virtue is faithfulness — 信 — xin. The virtue that holds. The virtue that does not change.
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On the associations of Metal — 金 — Jin.
Metal is the phase of contraction.
Its direction is west — 西 — xi.
Its season is autumn — 秋 — qiu.
Its color is white — 白 — bai. The color of metal. The color of the harvest moon.
Its taste is pungent — 辛 — xin. Spicy. Sharp. The taste that cuts through.
Its emotion is grief — 悲 — bei. The emotion of loss. The emotion of contraction.
Its organ is the lung — 肺 — fei. The lung governs Qi. The lung draws in what is pure and expels what is impure. The lung is the organ of letting go.
Its sensory organ is the nose — 鼻 — bi. Metal smells. Metal discriminates between pure and impure.
Its sound is weeping — 哭 — ku. The sound of grief. The sound of release.
Its number is nine — 九 — jiu.
Its planet is Venus — 金星 — Jin Xing — the Metal Star.
Its creature is the White Tiger — 白虎 — Baihu. The tiger of the west. The tiger of autumn. The tiger of evening.
Its grain is hemp — 麻 — ma.
Its animal is the horse — 馬 — ma.
Its climate is dryness — 燥 — zao. Dryness is Metal in motion.
Its virtue is righteousness — 義 — yi. The virtue that cuts. The virtue that distinguishes right from wrong.
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On the associations of Water — 水 — Shui.
Water is the phase of storage.
Its direction is north — 北 — bei.
Its season is winter — 冬 — dong.
Its color is black — 黑 — hei. Also dark blue. Also the color of the deep.
Its taste is salty — 鹹 — xian.
Its emotion is fear — 恐 — kong. The emotion that contracts. The emotion that prepares for danger.
Its organ is the kidney — 腎 — shen. The kidney stores Essence — 精 — jing. The kidney is the organ of will.
Its sensory organ is the ear — 耳 — er. Water hears. Water perceives what is deep.
Its sound is groaning — 呻 — shen. The sound of storage. The sound of holding what cannot be expressed.
Its number is six — 六 — liu.
Its planet is Mercury — 水星 — Shui Xing — the Water Star.
Its creature is the Black Tortoise — 玄武 — Xuanwu. The tortoise of the north. The tortoise of winter. The tortoise of midnight. The snake wound around the tortoise.
Its grain is beans — 豆 — dou.
Its animal is the pig — 豬 — zhu.
Its climate is cold — 寒 — han. Cold is Water in motion.
Its virtue is wisdom — 智 — zhi. The virtue that sees into the depths. The virtue that knows what is stored.
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On the five elements and the human body.
The five elements correspond to the five major organ systems.
The liver is Wood. It stores blood. It regulates the flow of Qi. It is the organ of planning. When the liver is in balance, the person plans well and moves smoothly. When the liver is out of balance, the person is angry, irritable, and cannot plan.
The heart is Fire. It houses the spirit. It rules the blood. It is the organ of consciousness. When the heart is in balance, the person is joyful, clear, and awake. When the heart is out of balance, the person is agitated, confused, or inappropriately joyful.
The spleen is Earth. It governs transformation. It extracts the pure from the impure. It is the organ of thought. When the spleen is in balance, the person thinks clearly and is grounded. When the spleen is out of balance, the person worries excessively and cannot digest experience.
The lung is Metal. It governs Qi. It draws in what is pure and expels what is impure. It is the organ of letting go. When the lung is in balance, the person breathes deeply and releases what is no longer needed. When the lung is out of balance, the person grieves and cannot let go.
The kidney is Water. It stores Essence. It is the organ of will. When the kidney is in balance, the person has strong will and deep reserves. When the kidney is out of balance, the person is fearful and depleted.
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On the five elements and the diagnosis of illness.
The physician of Chinese medicine diagnoses by observing the five elements in the patient.
The complexion is observed. A green complexion indicates a Wood disorder. A red complexion indicates a Fire disorder. A yellow complexion indicates an Earth disorder. A white complexion indicates a Metal disorder. A black complexion indicates a Water disorder.
The voice is observed. A shouting voice indicates a Wood disorder. A laughing voice indicates a Fire disorder. A singing voice indicates an Earth disorder. A weeping voice indicates a Metal disorder. A groaning voice indicates a Water disorder.
The pulse is observed. A pulse that is wiry indicates a Wood disorder. A pulse that is flooding indicates a Fire disorder. A pulse that is moderate indicates an Earth disorder. A pulse that is rough indicates a Metal disorder. A pulse that is deep indicates a Water disorder.
The physician does not treat the organ alone. The physician treats the element. The element is the root. The organ is the branch. Treating the branch without treating the root produces temporary relief. Treating the root treats the cause.
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On the five elements and the seasons.
The five elements govern the five seasons.
Wood governs spring. In spring, the Qi rises. It expands. It pushes outward. The plants push through the soil. The animals emerge from hibernation. The human body responds with rising Qi. The liver is active. The color green appears in the landscape. The taste sour is present in early greens. The emotion anger may arise if the rising Qi is blocked.
Fire governs summer. In summer, the Qi peaks. It reaches its maximum expansion. The plants reach full height. The animals are active. The human body responds with maximal Qi. The heart is active. The color red appears in flowers. The taste bitter is present in summer vegetables. The emotion joy is natural when the Qi is full.
Earth governs late summer. In late summer, the Qi stabilizes. The expansion of summer settles into the harvest. The plants begin to draw energy inward. The human body responds with stable Qi. The spleen is active. The color yellow appears in ripening grain. The taste sweet is present in harvested foods. The emotion sympathy is natural when the Qi is stable.
Metal governs autumn. In autumn, the Qi contracts. It moves inward. The plants draw energy into their roots. The animals prepare for winter. The human body responds with contracting Qi. The lung is active. The color white appears in the harvest moon. The taste pungent is present in autumn vegetables. The emotion grief may arise as the year declines.
Water governs winter. In winter, the Qi stores. It sinks into the depths. The plants are dormant. The animals hibernate. The human body responds with stored Qi. The kidney is active. The color black appears in the deep winter night. The taste salty is present in preserved foods. The emotion fear may arise when the Qi is withdrawn.
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On the five elements and the directions.
The five elements govern the five directions.
Wood governs east. East is the direction of sunrise. It is the direction of beginning. It is the direction of new growth. The Azure Dragon guards the east.
Fire governs south. South is the direction of noon. It is the direction of fullness. It is the direction of peak. The Vermilion Bird guards the south.
Earth governs center. Center is the direction of stability. It is the direction of the pivot. It is the direction of the emperor. The Yellow Dragon guards the center.
Metal governs west. West is the direction of sunset. It is the direction of decline. It is the direction of harvest. The White Tiger guards the west.
Water governs north. North is the direction of midnight. It is the direction of storage. It is the direction of the unknown. The Black Tortoise guards the north.
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On the five elements and the colors.
The five elements govern the five colors.
Wood is green. The color of new growth. The color of the east. The color of spring.
Fire is red. The color of the sun at noon. The color of the south. The color of summer.
Earth is yellow. The color of the central soil. The color of the emperor. The color of the harvest.
Metal is white. The color of metal. The color of the west. The color of autumn.
Water is black. The color of the deep. The color of the north. The color of winter.
These five colors are the primary colors of Chinese art. All other colors are combinations of these five. A painting that contains all five colors in balance is considered harmonious. A painting that favors one color over the others expresses the dominance of that element.
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On the five elements and the tastes.
The five elements govern the five tastes.
Wood is sour. The taste of unripe fruit. The taste of fermentation. The taste that contracts the mouth.
Fire is bitter. The taste of burnt food. The taste of medicine. The taste that clears heat.
Earth is sweet. The taste of grain. The taste of ripe fruit. The taste that nourishes.
Metal is pungent. The taste of spice. The taste of onion and garlic. The taste that moves Qi.
Water is salty. The taste of the sea. The taste of preserved food. The taste that softens.
A balanced diet contains all five tastes. An unbalanced diet favors one taste over the others. Excess of one taste damages the corresponding organ. Excess sour damages the liver. Excess bitter damages the heart. Excess sweet damages the spleen. Excess pungent damages the lung. Excess salty damages the kidney.
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On the five elements and the planets.
The five elements govern the five visible planets.
Wood governs Jupiter — 木星 — Mu Xing — the Wood Star. Jupiter appears in the eastern sky. Its movement through the zodiac marks the years.
Fire governs Mars — 火星 — Huo Xing — the Fire Star. Mars appears red in the night sky. Its movement is irregular. It represents the unpredictable.
Earth governs Saturn — 土星 — Tu Xing — the Earth Star. Saturn is the slowest of the visible planets. It moves through one zodiac sign every two and a half years. Its slowness represents stability.
Metal governs Venus — 金星 — Jin Xing — the Metal Star. Venus appears in the west at evening. It appears in the east at morning. It is the brightest of the planets. Its brightness represents clarity.
Water governs Mercury — 水星 — Shui Xing — the Water Star. Mercury moves fastest of the planets. It appears near the sun at dawn and dusk. Its speed represents adaptability.
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On the five elements and the cycles of history.
The ancient Chinese believed that history moves in cycles governed by the five elements.
Each dynasty was associated with one of the five elements. The element of a dynasty determined its character. The element of a dynasty determined its fate.
The Xia dynasty — 夏朝 — was associated with Wood. The Shang dynasty — 商朝 — was associated with Metal. Metal controls Wood. Shang replaced Xia by the logic of the controlling cycle.
The Zhou dynasty — 周朝 — was associated with Fire. Fire controls Metal. Zhou replaced Shang by the logic of the controlling cycle.
The Qin dynasty — 秦朝 — was associated with Water. Water controls Fire. Qin replaced Zhou by the logic of the controlling cycle.
The Han dynasty — 漢朝 — was associated with Earth. Earth controls Water. Han replaced Qin by the logic of the controlling cycle.
The pattern continued through the dynasties. Each dynasty was succeeded by the element that controls its element. The cycle of history followed the cycle of the five elements.
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On what the five elements represent.
The five elements represent the five ways that Qi moves.
Wood is Qi expanding.
Fire is Qi peaking.
Earth is Qi stabilizing.
Metal is Qi contracting.
Water is Qi storing.
These five movements are the movements of everything that exists. The growth of a plant. The rise and fall of a dynasty. The circulation of blood. The change of seasons. The movement of the stars. The life of a human being.
Everything that moves moves in these five ways.
The expansion of Wood. The peak of Fire. The stability of Earth. The contraction of Metal. The storage of Water.
Then Wood expands again.
The cycle never ends.
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On the five elements and the Dao.
The five elements are the Dao in motion.
The Dao is one. It moves. Its movement is Qi. Qi moves in five phases. The five phases produce the ten thousand things.
The five elements are not separate from the Dao. They are the Dao manifesting. They are the Dao in the world. They are the Dao that can be spoken. They are the Dao that can be seen. They are the Dao that can be known.
Beyond them is the Dao that cannot be spoken. Beyond them is the Dao that cannot be seen. Beyond them is the Dao that cannot be known.
But without the five elements, there would be no world. There would be no ten thousand things. There would be no movement. There would be no change. There would be no life.
The five elements are the world.
The world is the five elements.
END OF CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX