The five elements of Feng Shui

With the advent of Chi and Yin and Yang, the stage was set, according to ancient Chinese philosophers, for the development of all life on earth.

The constant contest between Yin and Yang, they said, produced four types of energy that make up life on earth; all seasonal, monthly, daily and human life cycles.

Ancient philosophers also believed that the interaction between Yin and Yang produced Chi, which was represented in five separate and distinct basic forces or elements, namely: water, wood, fire, earth and metal.

The belief of the ancient metaphysicians was that everything in the universe was composed of and subject to these five basic forces which are symbolized by five elements commonly found on earth and that everything, whether human, animal, vegetable, mineral or abstract, including man and his destiny, it could be a combination of all five types of elements.

Everything that has happened to us or will happen to us is subject to the influence of these elements. And, as with everything else in the universe, the elements, although seemingly chaotic and independent, are connected and related to each other through two basic laws, expressed in the form of two cycles: the cycle of birth and the cycle of destruction.

The birth cycle shows the elements in harmonious relationship; the cycle of destruction shows them in hostility.

It is easy to understand the relationships within the cycle of birth. The ashes and carbon particles from the fire nourish the earth. The earth in turn creates minerals and metals. Metals, when they are hot, need water to cool down and also where there is metal, water is nearby. The water feeds the trees to make them grow and develop wood. Finally, the wood burns to feed the fire.

Naturally, the cycle of destruction is not in the same sequence. Since this is not a benevolent generative cycle like the cycle of birth, each of the elements threatens the next in turn. The fire, if too strong, will turn the metal into a liquid, rendering it useless. Metal has the ability to cut and destroy wood. If the wood of the trees is too strong and virile, it will draw all its food from the earth. Too much soil will absorb and dry out the water. The water puts out the fire.

However, this cycle does not necessarily have to be totally negative. Perhaps it would be more accurate to describe it as an antagonistic cycle because although fire can melt metal, the right amount of fire can turn metal into useful tools; metal applied to wood can carve beautiful artifacts; the wooden roots of trees can hold soil in place, preventing it from being blown away by wind or blown away by dust storms; earth, when applied to water, can create the conditions for growth and water, combined with fire, creates steam, which is useful for various applications. So while the elements in this cycle can be destructive, in the right amounts they can be more stimulating and beneficially abrasive.

Each of the elements has a predominant nature associated with it and the elements are not only related to color and direction, but also to the seasons, the organs of the body (both yin and yang), the planets, even the stars. emotions and numbers.

The way of the Tao is to recognize that change is inevitable and to seek harmony in the natural pathways to change, maintaining balance as Chi or life force energy brings about changes as needed.

As the five elements are in constant movement, either birthing or destroying each other, they represent a great change, not only in us but also in our environment. By recognizing the elements and their changing relationships, it is possible for us to achieve a greater balance both in our environment and in ourselves. Balance in our environment is the essential nature of Feng Shui.

The Place of the 5 Elements in Our Environment

Wood

Wood, represented by the color green, means life, growth, health and vitality. Other colors that can also signify wood are cool blues, aquamarine, teal, and dark brown. The shape of wood is rectangular and tall and the material that represents it is (naturally) wood, along with cardboard, paper and composite wood products.

Household items that represent wood are often made from it: bookshelves, cabinets, and entryway stands are typical.

This, the direction of wood is the direction of new beginnings and the promise of growth. It means the life force energy that rises at the beginning of the day or in spring, which, in the Chinese calendar, is the beginning of the year. This is a Yang time, when Chi is rising, the day is beginning, or spring has arrived.

Fire

The color of fire is red. In fact, all reds, from pink to deep magenta to burgundy, are the colors of fire. The direction of the fire is the south, where it symbolizes noon and the height of the day, summer and the fullness of the year… life in its maximum yang expression.

Objects in the home that represent fire, apart from fire itself in the form of a roaring stove or burning candles, are anything with colors of fire: red carpets, pictures, red-painted walls. The triangular shapes, the shape of the flames, are the shapes of fire.

Land

The earth element represents the smooth transition between the seasons, between the changing parts of the day.

Just as wood and fire represent ascent and full yang and metal and water descent and full yin, so in the middle is earth and earth is unchanging. The earth has no seasons.

The location of the earth is in the center; its colors yellow, mustard, orange, ochre, beige, caramel, light brown or terracotta. Interestingly, the shape of the earth is not round but square. It is the universe that is represented by the circle; the earth is represented by the square – the container of life.

The materials dislodged by land are clay, brick, ceramics, mud and cement. The objects that signify earth are. Items like terracotta objects, pottery, porcelain, crystals, rocks, stones, sculptures all signify earth.

Metal

Metal represents the transformation of chi from fullness to decline. This is the evening of the day, the fall of the year when natural chi begins to slowly wane. It is the period of reflection; the time of Yin decline. Metal is the process of build-up, a dense, inward-moving energy that can feel oppressive if not in harmony with its surroundings.

The direction of the metal is west, where the sun sets and the shapes of the metal are round or arched. When metal is heated to a high degree, it wobbles into round beads, so any shape with well-rounded curvatures means metal.

Metal colors are white or gold, silver, bronze, copper, platinum, any metallic color. The objects that signify it are anything metallic or that has metal, particularly an object that is round in shape and is made of some kind of metal.

Water

The water represents the winter months, hibernation time at the end of the year and is represented by the north. Water is full Yin.

The colors of the water are black, grey, charcoal, and as the water flows and meanders, its shape is wavy. The wavy lines represent water. In the kitchen, refrigerators, sinks, even toilets and bathtubs represent water.

Materials for water are fountains and fish tanks, ponds and pools. To evoke water in a room, any of these features can be used.

Water is often used to promote prosperity, therefore once the most helpful auspicious energy is located, a water source is used to stimulate it.

The five elements of Chi are a fundamental part of Feng Shui and understanding them and their relationship to each other is of vital importance. The permutations of the elements in their cycles of birth and destruction are infinite; sometimes they work to cancel each other out, sometimes they enhance each other. When combined in different amounts, they can cause good or bad luck.