Guest Author - Heather J. Hasan

Like many other cultures, the Chinese have strong Earth-based philosophies. Many Chinese believe that Man and Nature are one and the same and every phenomenon can be attributed to the Earth and its elements. Five elements can be associated with every action, natural and man-made, that occurs. These five elements are Wood, Metal, Fire, Water, and Earth. Each has its own unique properties which we’ll be discussing in this article.

The five elements are incorporated into many aspects of Chinese life, from the way a room is arranged (Feng Shui) to traditional Chinese medicine to cooking. Chinese astrology in particular relies heavily upon the elements. Each astrological or zodiac sign is ruled by one or two of the five elements and yin or yang energies. According to Chinese astrology, the signs and energies we are born under impact our entire lives and our personalities.

Wood
Wood is considered a masculine (Yang) element. He is associated the East, the spring season, the liver and gallbladder, and the colors blue and green. In Chinese astrology, a person born under a Wood sign is thought to be strong and self-reliant. Wood signs include the Tiger, Rabbit, and the mighty Dragon.

Metal
Metal is a female (Yin) element. She governs the Monkey, Rooster, and the Dog zodiac signs, the West, autumn, and her color is white (the color of Death), and the nose, lungs, and large intestines. Anyone born under the Metal signs is believed to be persistent.

Earth
Earth is both a Yin and a Yang element. It is balanced and neutral. Its color is yellow, it is associated with hard work and dilligence, and it controls the spleen and stomach and the changing seasons. Earth is a central element in which the other elements are grounded. In Chinese astrology, earth signs include the Dragon, Rat, and the Ox.

Water
Water is a Yin element and she is thought to be nurturing and maternal. Her color is black (the color of Healing), her direction is north, and she is associated with the winter season, the lungs and skeletal system, and her zodiac signs are Pig, Rat, and Ox. As you can see, she is quite similar to metal.

Fire
Fire is bright red and his domain is the South. He is a Yang-type energy and he is in control of the heart and the tongue as well as the blood. The summer season is often associated with the Fire element. In Chinese astrology, the Fire signs are the Snake, Horse and Sheep. People born under these signs are thought to be warm and creative.

Wu Xing is a vast subject and this article has touched just the tip of the ice burg. There are literally hundreds of websites and literature available on this topic for you to explore for yourself.