Five Element Theory

In addition to dividing energy (the base element of all things) into Yin and Yang.  The Chinese further divided it into five basic elements.  This page covers certain attributes associated with these elements that may be of use in the martial arts.

Hours of Activity
Wood	Metal	Earth	Fire	Water
11:00 pm - 3:00 am	3:00 am - 7:00 am	7:00 am - 11:00 am	11:00 am - 3:00 pm 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm	3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Creation Cycle
Wood	Metal	Earth	Fire	Water
Water nourishes Wood	Earth creates Metal	Fire nourishes Earth	Wood nourishes Fire	Metal creates Water
Destructive Cycle
Wood	Metal	Earth	Fire	Water
Metal cuts Wood	Wood covers Earth	Earth dams Water	Water extinguishes Fire	Fire melts Metal
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Yin Organs
Wood	Metal	Earth	Fire	Water
Liver	Lung	Spleen	Heart Pericardium	Kidney
Yang Organs
Wood	Metal	Earth	Fire	Water
Gall Bladder	Large Intestine	Stomach	Small Intestine Triple Heater	Bladder
Emotions
Wood	Metal	Earth	Fire	Water
Anger	Sadness	Pensiveness	Happiness	Fear
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Physical Attributes1
These attributes and behaviors are used to determine which elements a person favors which is used in diagnosis and treatment.
Wood	Metal	Earth	Fire	Water
Darkish or swarthy complexion. Tall and sinewy body type, tends to look as if carrying no fat, can be quite muscular.	Pale complexion with smooth and clear skin. Angular, well-defined features. Broad chest and shoulders. Abundant body hair. Tends to walk slowly.	Brownish or sallow complexion with a large head. Tends to be pear-shaped, carrying weight in the hips. Muscular or fat with heavy legs. Does not lift feet high when walking.	Red complexion. Head often smallish and pointed, or may have a pointed chin. Hair is often curly, in men a tendency to baldness. Hands and feet tend to be small and graceful. Walks quickly.	High forehead and abundant head hair. Long, strong bone structure with spine proportionately longer than normal. Fluid movement.
Behavior Patterns1
Wood	Metal	Earth	Fire	Water
Creative, hard working, decisive, and directing. Likes to be in control and to keep busy.	Well-organized, neat, methodical, and meticulous. Tends to be very self-contained and does not express emotion much.	Sympathetic, considerate, and supportive. Tends to be an "Earth Mother" type, with focus on caring for others.	Emotional, communicative, and articulate. Tends to be very sociable, loving, and can be quite spiritual in outlook.	Flexible, well-motivated, ambitious. Can also tend to be lazy and "go with the flow" too much.
Animals2
Wood	Metal	Earth	Fire	Water
Snake	Crane	Dragon	Tiger	Leopard
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XingYiQuan Fists
Wood	Metal	Earth	Fire	Water
Crushing Fist	Chopping or Splitting Fist	Crossing Fist	Pounding Fist	Drilling Fist
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1. The Complete Illustrated Guide to Shiatsu:
   Elaine Liechti
2. Five Elements - Five Ancestors - Five Animals; Shihan Gary Wayne

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