The Five Element theory is the backbone of all Chinese Metaphysical studies. It is believed that all matters as well as the sentient beings in our universe are composed by a blend of the Five Elements. This does not mean however, that the Five Elements are physical.

Element	Properties	Shapes	Colors
Earth	Attractive Dense Stable	Cubic shapes Flat and broad shapes	Brown Beige Yellow
Metal	Sharp Pointing Piercing	Spherical, rounded	White Gold Silver
Water	Runs downhill Free/unbound	Wavy Indefinite	Black Dark blue
Wood	Grows outwards Enduring	Tall & rectangular	Green
Fire	Spreads in every direction Radiates Hot	Triangular Pointed, sharp	Red Orange Purple Pink

These elements can also be represented by physical rudiments or objects:

Earth	Mountain, rocks, bricks, stones
Wood	Plants, trees, flower, grass, bamboo
Metal	Sword, axe, jewellery, gold, iron, silver
Fire	Fire, candles, red lamps, lightning, electricity
Water	Ponds, swimming pools, fountains, lakes, seas, aquariums

These Elements share three types of relationships known as ‘Cycles’, through which an element can affect another element. Depending on the cycle, these elements Produce (grow), Control (counter) or Weaken one another.

The first is the Productive Cycle

Water produces Wood Wood produces Fire Fire produces Earth Earth produces Metal Metal produces Water

This cycle is rather straight forward. Water provides nourishment for trees (Wood), which is then used as fuel for Fire, resulting in ashes (Earth). Earth is mined for minerals, or Metal, which when melted, runs like Water. This is known as the productive cycle, where the elements produce one another.

The key point to remember for the productive cycle is that an element strengthens and grows the element it produces.

The second is the Controlling Cycle

Fire controls Metal Metal controls Wood Wood controls Earth Earth controls Water Water controls Fire

In this cycle, the elements keep each other under control. For example, Fire melts Metal. An axe (Metal) cuts into Wood. The roots of a tree grip tightly onto Earth (Wood control Earth). Earth forms a barrier to control Water – just like a dam holds back the massive amounts of water. Water extinguishes Fire.

In the controlling cycle, an element is countered or subjugated by its controlling element.

The third is the Weakening Cycle

Water weakens Metal Metal weakens Earth Earth weakens Fire Fire weakens Wood Wood weakens Water

This is the reverse process of the Production Cycle we’ve discussed earlier. For example, we said that Water produces Wood (as in water is used to nourish plants). Conversely, we can say that Wood weakens Water. – because Wood, absorbs Water. This is called the Weakening Cycle.

We say Metal is weakened by Water. Visualize it this way, Water contributes to the oxidation (rusting) of steel (Metal). Metal weakens Earth – the results of ore (Metal) mining weakens Earth. Fire is weakened by Earth. Why? Earth cannot burn, and limits the spread of Fire. Wood is used to make fire. Fire in turn, completely consumes Wood so Fire weakens Wood.

In the weakening cycle, an element is weakened by the energy of the element it produces. This is applied in Feng Shui: it has been discovered that certain Sha-Qi (Killing or Negative energies) is of the Earth Element, and is ‘cured’ by employing the use of Metal objects. This is because Metal ‘weakens’ the Earth.

It must be pointed out that if you plan to cure the effects of any element, do your best to avoid using the Controlling Cycle. Controlling the effects of a certain element with an opposing element is often unpredictable, and could easily cause complications later. In Feng Shui we seek the way of ‘harmony’, going with the flow, and not against.

Instead, use the weakening cycle. It is the preferred way to lessen the negative effects of any element. You can think of the weakening cycle as a safety valve.

Memorizing the 5 elements and the three cycles is a must, if you plan to use Feng Shui even on the smallest scale. It is quite simple to memorize. To help you on your way here are some simple metaphors.

Productive Cycle
Water waters plant, producing Wood
Wood makes kindling, producing Fire
Fire makes ashes, producing Earth
Earth is mined, producing Metal
Metal is melted, producing Water

Countering Cycle
Water extinguishes Fire
Fire melts Metal
Metal cuts Wood
Wood roots tightly grip Earth
Earth contains Water

Weakening Cycle
Water can be partly absorbed by Wood
Wood can be partly burnt by Fire
Fire can be diminished with Earth
Earth is weakened by mining for Metal
Metal is weakened by Water

 

FROM
The Five Elements
By Joey Yap