The Chinese Medicine Five Elements Theory Simply Explained

You must have heard about the Chinese Medicine Five Elements Theory. If not, I must admit I’m surprised. This is one of the most used theories in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and one of the most versatile. But also most of the time it is briefly explained. So here I’m going to try and explain it touching on some points that are not often discussed.

The Five Elements Theory in Traditional Chinese Medicine explains the phenomena that happen in the universe. It states that within everything there are five types of Qi that represent an Element. These elements are Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood; each one has a particular set of characteristics and qualities, and in a constant dynamic relationship between them. Your body as a representation of the cosmos also has those Five Elements in it represented by the 5 main Organ Networks.

Even though it has been made popular as Five Elements, this term tends to cause confusion and it stems from a poor translation. Many people nowadays think that the ancient Chinese were talking about the five core components of the world.

But if we translate it properly we will find that the original term (Wu Xing) is best translated as the Five Phases. This way makes more sense because the Chinese were looking to explain the dynamic processes that occur in our world, not to explain what the world was made of.

The Chinese Medicine Five Elements Theory

The Five Elements theory is a system of thinking developed in order to explain natural phenomena, it is closely linked to Yin Yang theory and Taoist philosophy. It was refined and finally assimilated with the Yin Yang theory by the Chinese philosopher Zou Yan.

This theory states that nature is better explained as a constant change and movement of five essential phases. These phases were labeled Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood. Following on the Taosit thinking of the parallelism between the micro and macrocosm, everything that is in nature also shares those five characteristics and experiences the movements and changes of those five Phases.

This theory allows us to group material and nonmaterial elements of the world based on their qualities and then assign them to the adequate Phase.

• Wood (Mu) is associated with active functions that are in a growing phase.
• Fire (Huo) designates functions that have reached a maximal state of activity and are about to begin a decline or a resting period.
• Metal (Jin) represents functions in a declining and contracting state.
• Water (Shui) represents functions that have reached a maximal state of rest and are about to change the direction of their activity.
• Earth (Tu) designates balance or neutrality; in a sense, Earth is a buffer between the other Phases. It represents the equilibrium.

These Elements or Phases are in constant movement establishing mutual relationships of Generation and Control creating a closed circuit.

Every element is capable of engendering the following element and is being generated by the previous element; as well as every element can control an element while also being controlled by another element.

This theory represents a step further into explaining nature through the lens of the Yin and Yang theory. According to the Tao, everything flows cyclically, starting from the Yin, Yang begins to emerge until it reaches its peak then begins to wane and Yin begins to arise and the cycle continues. The Five Phase theory then explains that following this flow and balance between Yin and Yang, five different processes generate and control one another.

These movements are what explain the relationships between each Phase.

The Phases/Elements

Here is a brief breakdown of each of the Five Phases.

Fire

• Color: Red
• Season: Summer
• Yin Organs: Heart and Pericardium
• Yang Organs: Small Intestine and Triple Burner
• Flavor: Bitter
• Emotion: Happiness/Elation
• External Pathogenic Factor: Heat/Summer Heat

Description:

Fire represents the Supreme Yang. It is the Phase in which the vitality it at its highest. It reflects fulfillment. The Heart and the Small Intestine are the most active during this Phase. This phase is great for exerting yourself. It is also a great season to experiment with mindfulness and enjoy every second. Beware of Heat and Summer Heat as they are the most likely ones to attack you if you.

Earth

• Color: Yellow
• Season: Late Summer (aka 5th season or Indian Summer)
• Yin Organs: Spleen
• Yang Organs: Stomach
• Flavor: Sweet
• Emotion: Worry
• External Pathogenic Factor: Dampness

Description:

Earth is the most balanced Phase of all. It is the moment of the year in which it seems everything stands still. It is the midpoint between Yin and Yang. The Spleen and Stomach are the most active here. This is the season of contemplation and clear thinking, take advantage of the stillness as well as the energy from the summer and plan. Dampness is the one most likely to attack you.

Metal

• Color: White
• Season: Autumn
• Yin Organs: Lungs
• Yang Organs: Large Intestine
• Flavor: Spicy
• Emotion: Sadness
• External Pathogenic Factor: Dryness

Description:

Metal is associated with Autumn, its color is White. This is the season in which Yang begins to wane and Yin begins to arise. It represents the processes that are contracting and collecting themselves. The Lungs and the Large Intestine are at their peak here. It is the time when, just like the trees that suck the sap and turn it downwards into the roots, your Lungs bring the Qi from the air and help nourish the Kidneys (of course we do that every day but in this season that function is heightened). It is time for refinement and clearing, staying with what is useful. Beware of Dryness.

Water

• Color: Black
• Season: Winter
• Yin Organs: Kidneys
• Yang Organs: Bladder
• Flavor: Salty
• Emotion: Fear
• External Pathogenic Factor: Cold

Description:

Water represents the supreme Yin. It is associated with Winter, and its color is Black. It is the season of resting and stored potential. The Kidneys and the Bladder are the ones at their peak. The Kidneys are the foundation of our longevity and govern our body’s Fire. Here it is where our Qi is concentrated waiting to arise. Beware of Cold.

Wood

• Color: Green
• Season: Spring
• Yin Organs: Liver
• Yang Organs: Gallbladder
• Flavor: Sour
• Emotion: Anger
• External Pathogenic Factor: Wind

Description:

Wood is the representation of Spring and its color is Green. Like a tree that grows from the seed through the soil, Wood makes its way and represents the growing Yang. It is associated with processes that are in a growing phase and with a bold personality, and a risk taker. It is the season to begin to warm up and gain momentum in our lives. Beware of Wind which is the most common pathogenic factor here.

Main Movements

In this theory, we see that two main relationships are formed between the elements. The Generation Sequence, and the Control Sequence.

Generation Sequence

The Generation Sequence represents the cycle of engendering that happens between the different Phases. Each Phase is generated by the previous one and generates the following one. This is thought to have been formulated after seeing the natural course of the world.

Water creates Wood. Wood creates Fire. Fire creates Earth. Earth creates Metal. Metal creates Water.

Water is necessary for the nourishment of plants and tree growth therefore Water creates Wood. Wood is needed to make and maintain Fire. Once Fire has consumed all of the wood and has extinguished itself, the ashes work as a fertilizer for the soil, therefore generating Earth. The minerals within the earth are mined and used to make steel and other metals.

Now when it comes to Metal generating water many people stick to the traditional story of the warrior who let his sword outside overnight and at the next morning he found the sword covered in morning dew thus making this association. However, I think the ancient Chinese were smarter than that.

One curious fact: Hydrogen is sometimes called a metalloid, and water is made of Hydrogen and Oxygen.

This is a good example of the holistic approach to health that TCM has. By focusing on the whole and the interactions between its parts you have a clearer picture of how one change affects the whole system.

Control Sequence

The other physiological movement we find in this theory is the Controlling Sequence. This one states that each and every one of the Five Phases controls and is controlled by another Phase. It is a relationship of mutual control and dynamic tension.

Fire controls Metal. Metal controls Wood. Wood controls Earth. Earth controls Water. Water controls Fire.

It goes like this:

Fire burns Metal and melts it. Metal (think of an axe) cuts Wood and stops it from growing. Wood affects Earth by covering it. Earth controls Water by damming it and absorbing it. Water controls fire by quenching it.

Remember that while there is a Controlling Sequence in which one Phase controls the other one, it does so without hurting it.

These two movements are a good representation of what is needed for good health according to Traditional Chinese Medicine.

• Balance: Each element generates the following one so everything must be at its right porportion and quantity.
• Tension: Every element must be and work within a set boundary, it cannot become prepotent or excessive.

When those laws are not fulfilled disease happens and Pathological movements arise.

Pathological Movements

Pathological movements are the effects of imbalances in the Phases. The imbalances can be caused by an Excessive element or a Deficient element. There are two major pathological movements that arise from such imbalances: Excessive Dominance and Counter Dominance.

• Excessive Dominance happens when there is an Excessive element that attacks the element it usually controls to the point of harming it. For example, excessive Fire harms Metal therefore harming the organ associated with the element.
• Counter Dominance or Rebellion happens when there is a Deficient element which isn’t able to control its designated element. The normally controlled element dominates the element it should be dominated by. This creates a controlling sequence that is contrary to the normal one. e.g. Deficient wood can make Earth counter dominate it.

Table of Associatons

Here is a summary of the associations you can make using the Five Elements Theory:

Uses in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Now that you have learned about this theory you may be wondering how to use it. Let me tell you, this theory is almost a shortcut to better health in no time. Just by keeping a few charts around the house (or visiting this article now and then) you will have a really useful tool.

Typology

There is an aspect of Traditional Chinese Medicine where every person is characterized according to an element. This is called Typology and unlike the horoscope, this one works.

Typology explains that the Five Elements also manifest in you in both body and mind. All of us have expressions of the Five Phases but there is always one that stands out. This is where typology enters.

Getting to know which Elements are you helps you understand what your metabolic, physiological, and psychological landscapes look like and what to tackle in order to achieve better health.

A person who is an Earth type is someone who’s caring, seeking to balance everything, struggles with overthinking, and tends to accumulate fat in the midsection as well as having more soft features.

A person who is more of a Wood type is someone bold, who is always going forward into the unknown, and may struggle with anger and frustration as well as headaches.

Knowing your type will open the door for you to how you should manage your health. Especially in the dietary side of it. What a Water type must eat differs a lot from what an Earth-type needs.

Dietary therapy

Following on typology we have the use of the Five Elements theory in dieting.

The Chinese Medical theory about dietary therapy says that every meal must contain five core flavors: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and spicy. Each one of those flavors energizes the Qi of their associated element and therefore their organ.

• Spicy energizes Metal.
• Salty energizes Water.
• Sour energizes Wood.
• Bitter energizes Fire.
• Sweet energizes Earth.

It works both for prevention and therapy. If you have an illness that belongs to an organ you can add food with a specific flavor to help strengthen it. Asthmatics for example benefit from adding ginger or pepper to their food. They are spicy and energize the Lung Qi.

The same thing can be done with the rest of the Organ networks, guess what element they belong to and look for what strengthens them.

So take a look into your cabinet and see how much of each flavor you have and how to complement them.

The Five Elements theory goes even further and explains that even the color of the food influences the Qi of the Phases. For example, if you eat yellow-colored food (the food’s natural colors, not artificial ones) you will strengthen your Spleen, the same goes for Black food and the Kidneys, green for the Liver, red for the Heart.

Self Care

If you use the Five Element theory along with your body’s Organ Clock you can design a long-term self-care routine. In every season there are essential guidelines and behaviors that are best or worst assimilated by the body. Learning how to take care of each Element when they are at their lowest becomes a simple thing to do.

You can take a look into what weakens the specific organ which is at its trough and you will prevent a Qi deficiency or harness the Qi of the organ by strengthening it.

For example: Excessive seating hurts the Spleen. The Spleen is at its lowest from 7 pm to 9 pm. Make sure not to sit all afternoon and evening, take little breaks if you are studying or working, take a 5-minute walk or stretch your legs.

Apply these tips also on the yearly cycle. See which season energizes and affects which organ and take care of them.

Final Thoughts

The Five Phase Theory complements the ancient Chinese Worldview of Taoism and Yin Yang. It explains how the movements and phenomena happen in our world as well as in our bodies.

This theory is a powerful tool that allows you to have an all-around and versatile self-care routine. Don’t forget to bookmark and save this article so you can come back to it anytime.

Have questions? Leave me a comment.

I’ll see you in the next post!