The origin of the five-element
The theory of the five elements, along with the theory of yin and yang, originated from ancient China. Over thousands of years people in ancient China recognized that wood, fire, earth, metal and water are the five indispensable materials in human life. People drink water and use fire to cook food, metal and wood can be made into various tools, earth ensures the growth of all things. So they are called the Five materials. Later, people abstract evolved the properties of five materials to explain the whole physical world. They also believed that the five materials not only inter-promotion and inter-restriction, but are also in a constant state of motion and change. This soon became what is now known as The Five Element Theory.
The theory of the five elements holds that all things in the natural world are derived from wood, fire, earth, metal and water. So they all bear the basic properties of these five elements. They maintain a harmonious balance through the activities of constant inter-promotion and inter-restriction.
The Element of Wood
The characteristics of woods that wood bends and strengthens. Tree can bend, strengthen, grow upward and outward, or grow freely. It‘s extended that anything which has the function or property of growing, developing is attributed to wood.
The Element of Fire
The characteristics of fire is that fire burns and flares up. The fire has the characters of warmth, heat, and ascending. It‘s extended that anything which has the function or property of warmth, heat, ascending belongs to fire.
The Element of Earth
The characteristics of earth is that earth can be used for sowing and reaping. It‘s extended that anything which has the function or property of holding, receiving and producing belongs to earth. There is sayings “everything grows from the earth” and “the earth holds the other four elements”
The Element of Metal
The characteristics of metals that it has a high value and quality. Metal can follow man’s mind change its shape through smelting. Further more, metal is often used for killing or cutting or shaping. So, it’s extended that anything which has the function or property of descending, clearing belongs to metal.
The Element of Water
The characteristics of water is that water moistens and flows downward. It’s extended that anything which has the function or property of cold, moistening and downward going belongs to water.
Properties and Extended Meaning of Five Elements
Here is a small recap in a table to make it more easier to read and understand about the 5 elements and their meanings.
This was just a short review on the five elements, in my next blog I will explain about the classification of things using the Five Elements. With this knowledge we will be able to understand what is the yin and yang of each element and how it is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat symptoms.
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