More on the Five Elements
The following description is from Alphay’s website:
The Philosophy of Five Elements of Health is based in a 5000 year-old Chinese
tradition that translates ideally into many of the tenets of modern science and
medicine—the innate understanding that there is a balance in the universe that
forms all physical, elemental and dimensional relationships…
Seeding all of these, and providing the entire basis for healing, medicine and
science for thousands of years, we have the Five Elements of the Tao and the
recognition of their correlation with the other structures of life. In balance,
they are as follows:
By definition, each has its own governing physical influence and its own
strengths and weaknesses that bring it into perfect harmony with everything
including the principles of Darkness and Light: the Yin and the Yang. All these
ancient and modern systems not only complement one another, they also validate
them. They all indicate a balance that is accepted in all scientific and
philosophical schools of thought. More than that, they indicate a structure in
an ordered universe that is essential to the efficient function of all aspects
of nature, art, science and medicine.
According to the tenets of the ancient healers, Wood corresponds to the liver,
tendons and eyes. Fire corresponds to the heart, blood vessels and tongue. Earth
corresponds to the spleen, flesh and month. Metal corresponds to the lungs,
skin, hair and nose. Last but not least, Water corresponds to the kidneys, bones
and ears. Not only can these five elements be related to our four seasons, they
can also be related to different colors, emotion, taste, voice, a various organs
and selection of food and herbs. In Chinese medical philosophy, the five
elements theory consists of four laws governing the relationships among the five
materials. The five major internal organs are viewed as interrelated to the Five
Essential Elements—and the four corresponding physical laws of production,
control, attack and resisting control are governed by them.
The laws of production and control are used to illustrate the interrelationships
among the viscera. For instance, the liver controls the spleen (which is called
wood controlling earth), the spleen produces the lung (which is called earth
producing metal) and the lungs control the liver (which is called metal
controlling wood). There are patterns of relationship among the five viscera
according to the laws. The laws of attack and resisting control are used to
describe pathological changes as well as methods of treatment. For example,
since liver disease will affect the spleen, it is called wood attaching earth
and should be treated by inhibiting wood and supporting earth. And in treating
lungs energy deficiency syndrome, it is necessary to strengthen the spleen and
tone up the lungs, which is called developing earth in order to produce metal.
As all the elements in nature are interconnected, it is understood in scientific
law and medical analysis that all organs of the body are interconnected and each
are governed by one of the five elements. As such, each element and each organ
may be addressed in terms of nutrition, body balancing and even addressing a
body that is out-of-ease with itself or dis-eased through understanding the Five
Elements and the herbs, foods and medicines that best work with them.
FIVE ELEMENTS - A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE:
Wood
is the most human of the elements. It is the element of spring; the creative
urge to achieve— which can turn into anger when frustrated. It is associated
with the capacity to look forward, plan and make decisions, hence growth and
expansion. Wood energy is rising, expanding, and is the force of growth and
flexibility, hence the color associated with Wood is green and a
rectangle-shape. This element represents all the activities of the body that are
self regulating and/or function without conscious thought; i.e. digestion,
respiration, heart beat and basic metabolism. The liver (converting food into
fuel which is then supplied to the muscles, tendons and ligaments) is associated
to the Wood element as well as the gallbladder. Wood represents the direction
East, the planet Jupiter and is symbolized by an Azure Dragon. Wood ‘governs’
the Chinese Zodiac signs: Tiger, Rabbit and Dragon.
Fire
is the element of heat, summer and enthusiasm; nature at its peak of growth, and
warmth in human relationships. Represented by the color red and a pointed,
triangle-shape, Fire’s motion is upward, hence is associated with dynamic,
energetic, passionate, enterprising energies. Fire is the symbol of combustion
and this represents the functions of the body that have reached the fleeting
moment of maximum activity; indicating that decline is then inevitable. The
element is associated with the heart, the circulation system and is related to
the tongue. Fire represents the direction South, the planet Mars and is
symbolized by a Vermilion Bird/(Red) Pheasant. Fire ‘governs’ the Chinese Zodiac
signs Snake, Horse and Sheep.
Earth
is the element of harvest time, abundance, nourishment, fertility, and the
mother to child relationship. This element is also regarded as being central to
balance and the place where energy becomes downward in movement, a change of
seasons. It is the symbol of stability and being properly anchored. Represented
by the color yellow and a square shape, Earth’s motion is patient, reliable,
logical, governed by service and duty to others, militaristic, stubborn, very
energetic. Earth is associated with the digestive system, stomach (middle of the
body), the spleen and is related to the sense of taste. Earth represents the
direction Centre (Yellow Earth, China - Middle Land), the planet is Saturn, and
is symbolized by the Yellow Dragon. Earth ‘governs’ the Chinese Zodiac signs
Dragon, Rat, and Ox. Earth is the central balance of the elements and can lend
qualities to all 12 animals as well.
This
category includes the Western idea of the Air Element. It is the force of
gravity, the minerals within the earth, the patterns of the heavenly bodies and
the powers of electrical conductivity and magnetism. Metal has structure, but it
can also accept a new form when molten. Metal energy is consolidating and with
an inward movement, like a flower closing its petals. Represented by the color
white and round shapes, Metal’s motion is determined, forceful, strong,
unyielding, self- reliant, reserved and sophisticated. The symbol of metal is
of a cutting and a reforming action, but it is also regarded as a solidifying
process, hence it is associated with Autumn. Metal is associated with the lungs,
respiratory system and is related to the nose. Metal represents the direction
West, the planet is Venus, and is symbolized by the White Tiger. Metal ‘governs’
the Chinese Zodiac signs Monkey, Rooster and Dog.
Water
is the source of life on this planet. Water has the capacity to flow, infinitely
yielding yet infinitely powerful, silent and still, awaiting, flexible, ever
changing, a stored potential and often dangerous (flood’s devastation) with the
capacity to also nourish and cleanse. Similarly, it is the fluid (the main
component of the body) that nourishes and maintains the health of every cell.
Water corresponds to the skeletal and excretory system as well as to the vital
fluids, i.e. blood, lymph, mucus, semen and fat and is related to the lung. The
kidney is especially linked to this element. Represented by the color black/blue
and a wave like shape, Water’s motion is downward, fluid, secretive, intuitive,
compassionate, sensitive, gentle and creative. Water is the ultimate yin; quiet,
cold; representing the resting time of winter. In human psychology the element
governs the balance between fear or being exploited and the desire to dominate.
Water represents the direction North, the planet is Mercury, and is symbolized
by the Black Tortoise. Water ‘governs’ the Chinese Zodiac signs Pig, Rat and Ox.
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