Wood fuels fire
Water feeds wood
Wood separates earth
Creation Cycle
Metal carries water
Fire melts metal
Fire forms earth
Earth contains metal
Destruction Cycle
Earth absorbs water
The true establishment of wu xing as a practice was only completely developed during the Han dynasty ( 206 BCE – 220 CE ), but records show that the origins of wu xing date as far back as to the Shang dynasty ( 1600 – 1046 BCE ). Evidence such as oracle bone inscriptions that were used in divination rituals to predict and discern outcomes in Nature and human affairs showed that the wu xing theory was a concept that was slowly forming and developing . Associations of territories with directions , colours , spirits , and rituals in and after this era also suggested the progression of wu xing . Wu xing continued to develop after the Shang dynasty but only during the Han dynasty was evidence found that allowed for the standardisation of the theory .
One of the most fundamental texts that contained material on the wu xing theory was the Huainanzi ( The Masters of Huainan ) from 139 BCE , where the number five as a philosophy was finally standardised , drawing a correlation between wu xing in cosmology and morality , and extending the medical implications of the system .
Those who were able to truly understand wu xing were able to rule the country , heal patients and manage the transformations of life and longevity – Han thinkers even began using this system as a way to account for an ordered sequence or cycle of change .
In Chinese history , the successive dynasties were also linked to each of the five phases . The Xia dynasty ( 2200 – 1750 BCE ) was associated with wood ; the Shang dynasty ( 1750 – 1040 BCE ), with metal ; the Zhou dynasty ( 1100 – 256 BCE ), with fire and the colour red ; and the founder of the Qin dynasty ( 221 BCE to 206 AD ) chose black and water as his symbols .
Water quenches fire Metal penetrates wood
“ The natural qualities of Heaven and Earth do not exceed five . The sage is able to use wu xing correctly in order to govern without waste ”
– Huainanzi ( The Masters of Huainan )
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