Understand the theory of the five elements of China, you can understand the present, look to the future, the essence of China’s five thousand years of culture, are in this subtle five elements, understand the theory of the operation of the five elements, you have an additional ancient language to understand the universe, your life will be out of the confusion and stumble, the following look to unveil the mysterious veil of the five elements!
Chinese cosmology is shown in the theory of five elements. We Chinese believe that the universe is composed of five elements. They are wood, fire, earth, metal and water.
There is a kind of relationship of promotion among these five elements. For example:
Wood generates Fire: Ancient people drilled wood to make fire.
Fire generates Earth: Fire, after burning, turns into dust and becomes soil.
Earth generates Metal: Metal ores are dug out of the earth.
Metal generates Water: Metal tools can be used to dig wells and draw water.
Water generates Wood: Water nourishes trees and makes them grow.
There is also a kind of relationship of restriction among these five elements. For example:
Wood restricts Earth: Wood absorbs nutrients from the soil, thereby depleting the power of earth.
Earth restricts Water：Soil absorbs water, thereby depleting the power of water.
Water restricts Fire: Water can extinguish fire, thereby depleting the power of fire.
Fire restricts Metal: Fire can melt metal, thereby depleting the power of metal.
Metal restricts Wood: Metal utensils can split wood, thereby depleting the power of wood.
