The Five Elements: Generating and Overcoming Each Other

The theory of the Five Elements is a simplistic materialistic philosophy from ancient China, proposing that the world is composed of five basic elements. Factions of the Five Elements theory formed during the Warring States period, although its origins date back even further. The theory of the Five Elements is not only the theoretical foundation of traditional Chinese medicine, but also underlies divination practices such as the I Ching, Bazi (Eight Characters), and other forms of folk prediction. The concepts of the Five Elements generating and overcoming each other are central to this theory. In terms of Bazi fortune-telling, the method of interpretation is also based on the theory of the Five Elements generating and overcoming each other. Let’s delve into the basics of this concept within the realm of Bazi metaphysics.

Table of Contents

Yin and Yang, and the Five Elements

The Five Elements: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth

The Five Elements and Directions: East belongs to Wood, South belongs to Fire, West belongs to Metal, North belongs to Water, and the Center belongs to Earth.

The Five Elements are further divided into Yin and Yang categories. Represented by the Heavenly Stems, Yang Wood (Jia), Yang Fire (Bing), Yang Earth (Wu), Yang Metal (Geng), and Yang Water (Ren) comprise the Yang Five Elements. Yin Wood (Yi), Yin Fire (Ding), Yin Earth (Ji), Yin Metal (Xin), and Yin Water (Gui) make up the Yin Five Elements. The interactions of generation and overcoming among the Yin and Yang Five Elements vary in intensity. For example, interactions within the same category (Yang overcoming Yang or Yin overcoming Yin) are stronger. Conversely, interactions between different categories (Yang generating Yin or Yin generating Yang) are milder. These nuances represent more advanced knowledge, which will not be elaborated upon here.

Generating and Overcoming Among the Five Elements

The Five Elements Generating Each Other: Metal generates Water, Water generates Wood, Wood generates Fire, Fire generates Earth, Earth generates Metal.

The Five Elements Overcoming Each Other: Metal overcomes Wood, Wood overcomes Earth, Earth overcomes Water, Water overcomes Fire, Fire overcomes Metal.

Mnemonics for the Five Elements Generating and Overcoming Each Other

Note: Generation among the Five Elements is considered auspicious, while overcoming is seen as inauspicious. Balance is key, and excess should be avoided. The following principles embody this philosophy. For instance, when Metal is excessively strong, Fire is needed to overcome it; whereas Earth can generate Metal, an excess of Earth can bury Metal. These and other scenarios require careful consideration.

Metal:

Prosperous Metal needs Fire to become useful utensils. Metal generates Water, but too much Water sinks Metal; strong Metal requires Water to blunt its edge. Metal overcomes Wood, but an excess of Wood depletes Metal; weak Wood encounters Metal and is surely chopped and broken. Metal relies on Earth for generation, but too much Earth buries Metal; Earth can generate Metal, but an excess of Metal transforms Earth.

Fire:

Prosperous Fire needs Water for balance. Fire generates Earth, but too much Earth dims Fire; strong Fire requires Earth to quell its flames. Fire overcomes Metal, but an excess of Metal extinguishes Fire; weak Metal meets Fire and is surely melted. Fire relies on Wood for generation, but too much Wood fuels an intense Fire; Wood can generate Fire, but an excess of Fire burns Wood.

Water:

Prosperous Water needs Earth to form ponds and marshes. Water generates Wood, but too much Wood drains Water; strong Water requires Wood to disperse its force. Water overcomes Fire, but an excess of Fire dries up Water; weak Fire encounters Water and cannot be extinguished. Water relies on Metal for generation, but too much Metal muddies Water; Metal can generate Water, but an excess of Water sinks Metal.

Earth:

Prosperous Earth needs Water for drainage. Earth generates Metal, but too much Metal transforms Earth; strong Earth requires Metal to prevent stagnation. Earth overcomes Water, but too much Water erodes Earth; weak Water meets Earth and is surely blocked. Earth relies on Fire for generation, but too much Fire scorches Earth; Fire can generate Earth, but an excess of Earth dims Fire.

Wood:

Prosperous Wood needs Metal for support as beams and pillars. Wood generates Fire, but too much Fire burns Wood; strong Wood requires Fire to soften its rigidity. Wood overcomes Earth, but too much Earth breaks Wood; weak Earth encounters Wood and is surely collapsed. Wood relies on Water for generation, but too much Water floats Wood; Water can generate Wood, but an excess of Wood drains Water.

The Nature of the Five Elements

Wood is associated with benevolence, its nature is straight, its emotion is gentle, its taste is sour, and its color is green. People with abundant wood are elegant and slender, with long bones, delicate hands and feet, beautiful speech, and a greenish-white complexion. They are compassionate, kind-hearted, lofty, and generous, with a simple and sincere nature. People with deficient wood are tall and thin, have sparse hair, are narrow-minded, and are unkind and jealous. Those with completely depleted wood energy have irregular eyebrows and eyes, a long neck with a prominent Adam’s apple, dry muscles, and are despicable and stingy.

Fire is associated with propriety, its nature is hurried, its emotion is respectful, its taste is bitter, and its color is red. People with abundant fire have small heads, long feet, broad eyebrows, small ears, and a spirited demeanor. They are humble, respectful, simple, and impatient. People with deficient fire are yellow, thin, and sharp, with absurd speech, deceitful, and jealous, starting many things but finishing none.

Earth is associated with trust, its nature is heavy, its emotion is thick, its taste is sweet, and its color is yellow. People with abundant earth have round waists, clear and elegant eyebrows, and a heavy voice. They are loyal, filial, sincere, generous, and keep their word. Those with excessive earth are rigid and dull, introverted, and prefer quietness. Those with deficient earth have a stagnant complexion, a flat nose, and are cruel, perverse, untrustworthy, and unreasonable.

Metal is associated with righteousness, its nature is firm, its emotion is intense, its taste is spicy, and its color is white. People with abundant metal have well-proportioned bodies, a square face, deep-set eyes, and a clear spirit. They are resolute, generous, and have a strong sense of justice and integrity. Those with excessive metal are brave but reckless, greedy, and unkind. Those with deficient metal are small in stature, narrow-minded, internally venomous, lustful, murderous, stingy, and greedy.

Water is associated with wisdom, its nature is intelligent, its emotion is kind, its taste is salty, and its color is black. People with abundant water have a dark complexion, clear and gentle speech, and are thoughtful, wise, and knowledgeable. Those with excessive water like to gossip, are fickle, and have licentious desires. Those with deficient water are small in stature, fickle in nature, timid, indecisive, and inconsistent in their actions.

Industries and Directions Suitable for the Four Pillars of Destiny Based on the Five Elements

For those suited to wood, they prefer the east direction. They can engage in businesses and careers related to timber, wooden utensils, furniture, decoration, wood products, paper industry, planting, flower cultivation, tree seedling cultivation, religious items, spices, vegetarian food made from plants, etc.

For those suited to fire, they prefer the south direction. They can engage in businesses and careers related to lighting, illumination, optics, high temperatures, flammable materials, oils, alcohol, hot food and drinks, food products, barbershops, cosmetics, personal adornments, literature, art, stationery, education, writers, writing, teachers, principals, secretaries, publishing, public services, judiciary, etc.

For those suited to earth, they prefer the central or local areas. They can engage in businesses and careers related to local produce, real estate, rural areas, livestock farming, fabrics, clothing, textiles, stone materials, lime, mountains, cement, construction, real estate transactions, raincoats, umbrellas, dam construction, water containment items, pawnshops, antiques, intermediaries, lawyers, management, trade, design, consultancy, funeral services, tomb construction, cemetery management, monks, and nuns, etc.

For those suited to water, they prefer the north direction. They can engage in businesses and careers related to navigation, cool or non-combustible liquids, ice, water, aquatic products, water conservancy, refrigeration, salvage, cleaning, water flow, ports, swimming pools, ponds, baths, cold food trading, wandering, hustling, fluidity, continuity, changeability, water-like nature, audio nature, cleanliness, offshore operations, migration, stunt performances, sports, tour guides, travel, toys, magic, journalism, detective work, hotels, fire extinguishing equipment, fishing gear, medical industry, pharmaceutical business, doctors, nurses, fortune-telling, etc.

For those suited to metal, they prefer the west direction. They can engage in businesses and careers related to precision materials or metal tools, hardness, decisiveness, martial arts, appraisal, management, automobiles, transportation, finance, engineering, seeds, mining, public representatives, logging, machinery, etc.

The Five Elements and Their Corresponding Body Parts

Wood:

The liver and gallbladder are internally and externally connected, and are also related to tendons, bones, and limbs. When wood is excessively strong or weak, it is more likely to cause diseases related to the liver, gallbladder, head, neck, limbs, joints, tendons, veins, eyes, and nerves.

Fire:

The heart and small intestine are internally and externally connected, and are also related to blood vessels and the entire circulatory system. When fire is excessively strong or weak, it is more likely to cause diseases related to the small intestine, heart, shoulders, blood, menstrual blood, face, teeth, abdomen, and tongue.

Earth:

The spleen and stomach are internally and externally connected, and are also related to the intestines and the entire digestive system. When earth is excessively strong or weak, it is more likely to cause diseases related to the spleen, stomach, ribs, back, chest, lungs, and abdomen.

Metal:

The lungs and large intestine are internally and externally connected, and are also related to the trachea and the entire respiratory system. When metal is excessively strong or weak, it is more likely to cause diseases related to the large intestine, lungs, navel, phlegm, liver, skin, hemorrhoids, and nasal trachea.

Water:

The kidneys and bladder are internally and externally connected, and are also related to the brain and urinary system. When water is excessively strong or weak, it is more likely to cause diseases related to the kidneys, bladder, shins, feet, head, liver, urinary system, genitals, waist, ears, uterus, and hernia.

San Ming Tong Hui on the Mutual Generation and Restraint of the Five Elements

The Five Elements circulate between heaven and earth without exhaustion, hence they are called “elements.” The north is extremely Yin, generating cold, which in turn generates water. The south is extremely Yang, generating heat, which in turn generates fire. The east is where Yang disperses and generates wind, which in turn generates wood. The west is where Yin stops and gathers, generating dryness, which in turn generates metal. The center is where Yin and Yang interact and generate dampness, which in turn generates earth. The mutual generation supports each other, while the mutual restraint controls each other, which is referred to as having order. Fire represents the sun, with a hot and ascending nature. Water represents the moon, with a moistening and descending nature. Wood represents the lesser Yang, with an ascending nature that does not stop. Metal represents the lesser Yin, with a descending nature that has a limit. Earth does not have a constant nature; it depends on the seasons to help balance and should not be too excessive or insufficient.

Each of the Five Elements has its own function. Water represents wisdom, fire represents propriety, wood represents benevolence, metal represents righteousness, and earth, represented by soil, is trustworthy, thick, and broad, accepting everything. Water relies on earth for flow, wood relies on earth for growth, metal cannot manifest without earth, and fire cannot return without earth. There must be a balance between substance and emptiness for clarity, therefore all Five Elements rely on earth.

In terms of color: water is black, fire is red, wood is green, metal is white, and earth is yellow. These are the standard colors, but they can change. When in a flourishing state, use the standard color; when in a declining state, use the mother color. For example, water (wood’s mother) when in decline appears black; wood (fire’s mother) when in decline appears green; fire (earth’s mother) when in decline appears red; earth (metal’s mother) when in decline appears yellow. When in a flourishing state, use the son color. In times of illness or decline, use the ghost color, and in times of prosperity or burial, use the child color.

In terms of numbers: water is one, fire is two, wood is three, metal is four, and earth is five. Double the number when flourishing, halve the number when in decline. Balance is important, and excess or insufficiency should be avoided to maintain harmony. This principle also applies to the relationships between wealth, officials, seals, food, noble people, and travel in life and destiny. Understanding these subtle meanings is key to understanding life and destiny.

Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth: Life Compatibility and Preferences

Wood Life Compatibility and Preferences:

Likes: Carving and refining, life support, aiding fire, nurturing by earth, thriving and flourishing, forming a forest with others.

Dislikes: Emptiness and breaking, falling, emptiness leading to death, instability, death and extinction, withering, self-destruction, consumption and leakage, rotting due to dampness.

Wood tends to grow upwards without limit, and when its energy is heavy, it desires the restraint of metal. When wood has metal, it acquires the virtue of being both tall and restrained. It also loves the heaviness of earth, resulting in deep and solid roots. However, with too little earth, there’s the risk of lush branches but unstable roots. Wood relies on water for nourishment; too little water is beneficial for moistening, but too much water leads to drifting.

There are various relationships with wood and other elements, resulting in either thriving or dying wood, with different implications for interactions with fire and metal.

Seasonal Preferences and Dislikes for Wood:

Spring: Likes warmth from fire and support from water, dislikes too much earth and heavy metal, which can cause damage and strife.
Summer: Likes abundant water for nourishment, dislikes excessive fire and heavy earth, and dislikes too much metal.
Autumn: As the weather cools and plants wither, wood has specific needs for fire, metal, and earth.
Winter: Wood in winter desires nourishment from earth and metal, dislikes too much water, and has specific relationships with fire.

Fire Life Compatibility and Preferences:

Likes: Warmth, life assistance, emptiness leading to death, flaming upwards, reaching great heights, illumination from earth, aid from water.

Dislikes: Confinement, impatience, coldness, heavy water, withered wood, mixed and defeated wood, wood damaged by dead water.

Fire, symbolizing brightness and warmth, has a natural affinity for wood, which supports its flames, and water, which controls its intensity. There are specific interactions with other elements, such as metal and earth, leading to various outcomes.

Seasonal Preferences and Dislikes for Fire:

Spring: Fire in spring has a balanced power dynamic and likes support from wood and water, but dislikes too much earth. Fire can also benefit from metal.
Summer: Fire is strong and influential in summer, needing water for balance and caution with wood. It can thrive with the help of metal and earth, but balance is key.
Autumn: Fire’s energy wanes in autumn, needing support from wood and careful management of interactions with water, earth, and metal.
Winter: Fire is weakest in winter, requiring support from wood and careful handling of interactions with water, earth, and metal.

Earth Element: Favorable and Unfavorable Conditions

Likes: Support and strength, solidity, unblocking and smoothing, generating Metal.
Dislikes: Collapse, excessive Wood, excessive Water, emptiness, cold energy, heavy Metal, superficiality.
Earth is scattered in all directions, forming images with Metal, Wood, Water, and Fire in all seasons. Earth is vulnerable when Fire is weak and when Water is strong. Earth is noble when gathered in certain positions and likes certain positions more than others. If the Five Elements are balanced, Earth brings prosperity and wealth in later life.

Seasonal Analysis for Earth:

Spring: Earth is weak; likes Fire for support and dislikes excessive Wood and Water.
Summer: Earth is dry; likes Water for nourishment and dislikes excessive Fire and Wood.
Autumn: Earth is balanced; can be supported by its own kind and dislikes excessive Water and Fire.
Winter: Earth is cold; likes Water for wealth and Fire for support.

Metal Element: Favorable and Unfavorable Conditions

Likes: Wood (as output), Earth (as support), emptiness, refinement.
Dislikes: Excessive Wood, excessive Fire, decay, cold Water, melting Metal, conflicts and harm.
Metal is strong when balanced with Fire and weak when lacking Fire. Metal brings wealth when connected with Water.
Seasonal Analysis for Metal:
- Spring: Metal is weak; likes Fire for warmth and Earth for support.
- Summer: Metal is soft; dislikes excessive Fire and likes Water and Earth for balance.
- Autumn: Metal is strong; likes Fire for refinement and dislikes excessive Earth and Wood.
- Winter: Metal is cold; likes Fire and Earth for warmth and support.

Water Element: Favorable and Unfavorable Conditions

Likes: Clarity, expansiveness, generating cycles, Fire for balance, moisture, and support from the Northwest.
Dislikes: Emptiness, flooding, conflicts, excessive Wood, cold energy, dryness, and decay.
Water flows from Northwest to Southeast, and its nature is to moisten and flow downward. Water is noble when flowing smoothly and has a reputation when flowing in reverse. Water needs Metal for support and Earth for containment. Balanced Water and Fire bring harmony; muddy Water brings misfortune.
Seasonal Analysis for Water:
- Spring: Water is overflowing; likes Earth for containment and dislikes excessive Fire.
- Summer: Water is returning to its source; likes Metal for support and dislikes excessive Fire and Earth.
- Autumn: Water is balanced; likes Metal for clarity and dislikes excessive Earth and Fire.
- Winter: Water is in command; likes Fire for warmth and Earth for containment.

Appropriate Conditions for the Controlling Cycle of the Five Elements

When Metal is strong, it needs Fire to be molded and utilized.
When Fire is strong, it needs Water to balance and moderate it.
When Water is strong, it needs Earth to contain and guide it.
When Earth is strong, it needs Wood to channel and penetrate it.
When Wood is strong, it needs Metal to support and structure it.

Inappropriate Conditions for the Generating Cycle of the Five Elements

Metal relies on Earth for generation, but too much Earth can bury Metal.
Earth relies on Fire for generation, but too much Fire can scorch Earth.
Fire relies on Wood for fuel, but too much Wood can make the Fire blaze uncontrollably.
Wood relies on Water for nourishment, but too much Water can make Wood float away or rot.
Water relies on Metal for containment, but too much Metal can make Water murky.

Inappropriate Conditions for the Draining Cycle of the Five Elements

Metal generates Water, but too much Water can submerge Metal.
Water generates Wood, but too much Wood can absorb all the Water.
Wood generates Fire, but too much Fire can consume all the Wood.
Fire generates Earth, but too much Earth can smother the Fire.
Earth generates Metal, but too much Metal can deplete the Earth.

Inappropriate Conditions for the Reverse Controlling Cycle of the Five Elements

Metal can cut Wood, but if the Wood is too hard, the Metal can be damaged.
Wood can penetrate Earth, but if the Earth is too solid, the Wood can be broken.
Earth can absorb Water, but if there is too much Water, the Earth can be washed away.
Water can extinguish Fire, but if the Fire is too fierce, the Water can be evaporated.
Fire can melt Metal, but if there is too much Metal, the Fire can be put out.

Inappropriate Conditions for the Controlling Cycle of the Five Elements

If Metal is weak and encounters Fire, it will surely be melted.
If Fire is weak and meets Water, it will surely be extinguished.
If Water is weak and meets Earth, it will surely be blocked or absorbed.
If Earth is weak and encounters Wood, it will surely be overpowered or eroded.
If Wood is weak and meets Metal, it will surely be cut down.

Appropriate Conditions for the Draining Cycle of the Five Elements

Strong Metal needs Water to temper its sharpness.
Strong Water needs Wood to channel its flow.
Strong Wood needs Fire to transform its rigidity.
Strong Fire needs Earth to contain its intensity.
Strong Earth needs Metal to regulate its expansiveness.