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.