The Five Elements

The Five Elements, or Five Phases, are aspects of Qi and also referred to as "Wu Xing" and represent, the processes that are fundamental to the cycles of nature, and therefore correspond to and relate to the human body.

This ancient philosophical concept was used to explain the nature and phenomena of the physical universe and all that exists in it. In Chinese medicine the theory of five elements, is used to interpret the inter relationship of the human body and the natural environment. The theory puts forward the concept that these five elements are in a constant state of flux and are continually moving and changing.  

Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water.

The interdependence of the five elements is used to explain the connection between material objects, as well as the unity and harmony that exists between the human body and the universe it inhabits. The Chinese term "Xing" means the process of one thing acting upon another. In relation to the five elements, the cycle can represented as follows:

• Wood feeds fire
• Fire creates ashes which create earth
• Inside the earth, metal is heated liquefies and produces water vapor
• Water generated nourishes the trees, which leads to wood

The five elements, their characteristics, and their inter-relationships with the body can be defined as:

Fire

In Chinese medicine the functions of the heart are represented by (yin) and small intestine represents (yang). The fire element also affects the complementary organ processes of the pericardium (yin) and the triple warmer, which is represents the areas of the body – upper middle and lower and also includes fluids in all these areas (yang).

Joy or over overindulgence is the emotion which creates imbalance within this element.

Earth

The earth element is represented by the stomach (yang) and the spleen (yin). Digestion starts in the stomach, then the spleen transforms and transports the energy from the digestive process through the body.

In earth, it is Pensiveness is the emotion which creates imbalance.

Metal

As a conductor, this element is represented by the lungs (yin), which circulate energy through the body. The large intestine represents (yang), and performs the function of receiving and discharging waste.

Sadness or sorrow is the emotion which creates imbalance within this element.

Water

The water element is represented by the urinary bladder (yang), and the kidney (yin). The bladder deals with urine receiving and disposing of it from the body. Water metabolism circulates fluids in the body, hydrating it, and then accumulating it in the kidneys. The kidneys also store the essence, and serve as the root of yin and yang for the body.

In water, Fear and paranoia are the emotions which create imbalance within the body

Wood

The wood element represents the liver (yin), and the gall bladder (yang). The liver stores blood, and regulates the flow of qi through the body. The gallbladder stores and excretes bile.

Anger is the emotion that creates imbalance within the liver, on the other hand indecisiveness is relative to the gallbladder.