CULTURE | THE FIVE ELEMENTS
Wu Xing:
The Five Corners of a Circle
Wu xing – directly translating to “five elements” – is an
ancient Chinese philosophy that encompasses five phases of
the universe’s ongoing existence and development. The five
components are Wood (mu), Fire (huo), Earth (tu), Metal (jin),
and Water (shui). Seen as transitional material forces that flow
successively, these elements are an inherent part of Chinese
principles, beliefs, and culture.
The five phases that the elements represent
are around 72 days each and are used to
describe a colour, as well as state, in Nature.
– Water/Blue/Winter:
a period of retreat, where stillness and
storage pervades
– Wood/Green/Spring:
a period of growth, which generates
abundant wood and vitality
– Fire/Red/Summer:
a period of swelling, flowering,
brimming with fire and energy
– Earth/Brown/Transitional season:
the in-between transitional seasonal
periods, associated with levelling,
dampening (equalling to moderation),
and fruition
– Metal/Silver/Autumn:
a period of harvesting and collecting
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