The Five Elements (Wu Xing)
Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water — the cosmic forces that shape your destiny
The Five Elements, or Wu Xing (五行), form the foundation of Chinese metaphysics. Unlike Western elements, these are not static substances but dynamic phases of energy that interact through generating and overcoming cycles.
Wood
- Direction
- East
- Season
- Spring
- Color
- Green
- Planet
- Jupiter
- Climate
- Windy
- Emotion
- Anger
- Organ
- Liver
- Taste
- Sour
Fire
- Direction
- South
- Season
- Summer
- Color
- Red
- Planet
- Mars
- Climate
- Hot
- Emotion
- Joy
- Organ
- Heart
- Taste
- Bitter
Earth
- Direction
- Center
- Season
- Late Summer
- Color
- Yellow
- Planet
- Saturn
- Climate
- Damp
- Emotion
- Worry
- Organ
- Spleen
- Taste
- Sweet
Metal
- Direction
- West
- Season
- Autumn
- Color
- White
- Planet
- Venus
- Climate
- Dry
- Emotion
- Grief
- Organ
- Lungs
- Taste
- Spicy
Water
- Direction
- North
- Season
- Winter
- Color
- Black
- Planet
- Mercury
- Climate
- Cold
- Emotion
- Fear
- Organ
- Kidneys
- Taste
- Salty
🔄 Generating Cycle
The Generating Cycle (Sheng) describes how each element creates or supports the next:
Wood → Fire — Wood feeds Fire
Fire → Earth — Fire creates Earth (ash)
Earth → Metal — Earth bears Metal
Metal → Water — Metal enriches Water
Water → Wood — Water nourishes Wood
⚡ Overcoming Cycle
The Overcoming Cycle (Ke) describes how each element controls or restrains another:
Wood → Earth — Wood parts Earth
Earth → Water — Earth absorbs Water
Water → Fire — Water extinguishes Fire
Fire → Metal — Fire melts Metal
Metal → Wood — Metal cuts Wood