| Share on Facebook | Our Newsletter | Search

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

Back to Top
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
Back to Top
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
Snake		 Crane
Crane		 Dragon
Dragon		 Tiger
Tiger		 Leopard
Leopard

Back to Top
XingYiQuan Fists
Wood Metal Earth Fire Water
Crushing Fist Chopping or Splitting Fist Crossing Fist Pounding Fist Drilling Fist

Back to Top
  1. The Complete Illustrated Guide to Shiatsu:
    Elaine Liechti
  2. Five Elements - Five Ancestors - Five Animals; Shihan Gary Wayne

Back to Top

Back to Top