Feng Shui Yin Yang and Five Elements
Traditional Chinese philosophy thought that nature gave man birth. The changes of man's life activities are interrelated
to the all things on the earth, echoing and accompanying each other, thus the theory that "man is an integral
part of nature."
The Xing here refers to movement, operation or change. Wuxing represents the five forms of the movement of Yin Qi,
and Yang Qi, the terms for two opposite aspects of matters in nature, instead of five concrete substances or elements.
Five Elements
Wood
represents the directions of East and the Chen Trigrams 3. It also represents the South East and the Xun Trigrams 4.
Wood is creative and innovative. Wood can be pliant and bending (willow) or strong and unyielding (oak).
Wood is sociable and community minded. Wood also represents the colour green, the season spring, and the direction east.
Wood also represents birth and early childhood. In the eastern part of the Forbidden City in Beijing
the buildings were covered with green tiles, because they housed the young prince.
Fire
represents the South and the Li Trigram 9.
Fire gives energy and enthusiasm, but can also be a sign of danger. When too much fire is present, it can be destructive.
Fire warms and cheers, but it can also burn and destroy. FIre is the element of the natural leader.
Fire represents red, summer and south. Fire represents the growing years before puberty.
Earth
element is often confused with soil, which is only part of the element, it needs to be combined with rock, clay,
and stone etc. i.e. a terracotta pot filled with soil is a perfect earth element, or a clay statue. Earth colours are yellow,
beige but not as effective as the real element itself.
Earth represents the North East or the Gen Trigram 8. It also represents the South West or the Kun Trigram 2. In addition,
it represents the "Centre" of the Master Trigram 5.
Earth gives stability and also relates to real estate and legacies. Earth is patient, just, honest and methodical. However,
it can also be smothering and demanding. Earth represents the colour yellow, the center and the teenage years.
Metal
is the Dui Trigram 7 in the West. It is also the Qian Trigram 6 in the North West.
Metal indicates harvest, business and success. This is usually financial success. On the negative side, metal can also
indicate a sword or a knife and be destructive and violent. The color is usually white, but can also be gold. It symbolizes autumn and west.
Water
is a very powerful element to use, it should always be clear and free flowing, never let it go stagnant, as this will create
many problems. A fountain or aquarium is ideal or a simple fishpond in the garden. Water has always been associated with power.
If you look at most Cities today, they are either positioned near the water or have large lakes or rivers close by.
Most ocean-side and lakeside homes are also sought after. The colours blue or black can replace water. Water represents the
Kan Trigram 1 in the North.
Water indicates travel, communication, and learning. It also relates to literature, the arts, and the media. Water can be both
gentle (soft rainfall) and violent (a hurricane). Water nourishes all living things, but can also gradually wear away the
hardest rock. It represents the color black, winter, and north. Water represents the final years, old age.
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