Five Elements | Wu Hsing | Wu Xing
- Ancient Chinese cosmology parallels Yin and Yang, representing live energies.
- The five elements—earth, wood, metal, fire, and water—are integral, activating other sets like colors.
- Wu Hsing, translated as 'five agencies,' underscores these elements as dynamic forces.
- Taoist philosophy highly values this system, influencing Chinese thought for centuries.
- The Shujing details how the five elements interact, providing a foundational understanding.
Forces that Shape the Earth and Influence Chinese History
Ancient Chinese Cosmology
According to ancient Chinese COSMOLOGY, the forces that bring life to the EARTH are akin to YIN AND YANG. These forces represent dynamic energies that interact in recurring patterns.
The Five Elements
Similar to YIN AND YANG, these live energies follow a pattern of five elements: earth, wood, metal, fire, and water. These elements, also known as wu hsing, activate other sets of five, such as the five COLORS.
Taoist Philosophy and Chinese History
This system held significant importance in Taoist philosophy and was widely accepted throughout much of Chinese history. The term wu hsing is sometimes translated as "five agencies" to emphasize the concept that these elements are perceived as forces rather than static chemical states. They are also referred to as the five phases or processes.
Interpretation from the Shujing
According to the earliest record in the classic Chinese SHUJING (Classic of History), these phases interact in a specific manner: Water produces (or nurtures) wood but destroys (or extinguishes) fire; fire produces (or renews) earth but destroys (or melts) metal; metal produces (or helps retain) water but destroys (or helps chop down) wood; wood produces fire but destroys earth; and earth produces metal but destroys (or soaks up) water.