The classical theory of the Five Elements (or Wu Xing) describes the great rhythms of nature: how things emerge, flourish, transform, decline, and return to stillness. These elements are not fixed substances but living phases of energy that move in cycles. In Feng Shui, they are the keys to both diagnosis and remedy — guiding us in how to balance what is lacking and soften what is excessive.
- Wood: the energy of growth and beginnings, like sap rising in spring. It represents vitality, expansion, and upward movement. Its presence is expressed through vertical forms, columns, and the color green. Too much Wood can feel restless or overwhelming, but when balanced, it nourishes vision and creativity.
- Fire: the energy of brightness and transformation, reaching its peak in summer. Fire brings visibility, recognition, and passion. It appears in pointed shapes, triangular patterns, and the vibrant reds of flame. Fire warms and illuminates, but unchecked it can consume or scatter focus.
- Earth: the energy of stability, nourishment, and grounding, like the ripening fields at harvest. Earth offers support, patience, and reliability. It is symbolized by square shapes, low forms, and the warm hues of ochre, beige, and brown. Too much Earth may weigh down or stagnate, yet it provides the foundation upon which all else rests.
- Metal: the energy of refinement and clarity, akin to autumn’s crisp air and the sharp edge of a blade. Metal brings discipline, structure, and focus. Its qualities show in circles, arcs, and the reflective tones of white, silver, and gold. Balanced Metal sharpens purpose; excess can cut, isolate, or become rigid.
- Water: the energy of flow, wisdom, and adaptability, like rivers that shape valleys over centuries. Water is depth, intuition, and hidden potential. Its forms are wavy, asymmetrical, and dark in tone — deep blues and blacks. Water softens, connects, and nourishes, though in excess it can overwhelm or erode stability.
Cycles of Interaction:
The Elements move in predictable patterns. In the productive cycle, each nourishes the next: Wood feeds Fire, Fire creates Earth (ash), Earth yields Metal, Metal enriches Water, and Water nourishes Wood. In the controlling cycle, each element moderates another: Wood stabilizes Earth, Earth dams Water, Water extinguishes Fire, Fire melts Metal, and Metal cuts Wood. Reading these cycles allows us to prescribe cures and enhancements that restore harmony where imbalance appears.
