THE THEORY OF THE FIVE ELEMENTS

 The five Elements are:

Wood

Fire

Earth

Metal

Water

According to the traditional medicine , there are five Elements in heaven, as also on earth. These five elements are related in two cyclic sequence which are:-

1. Generative cycle

2. Destructive cycle

Generative cycle (Sheng cycle)

In generative cycle Fire is fed by Wood; the ashes which form becomes the earth; Metal is formed in the Earth; Water springs from Metal( fluidity arises from the solid state); and Water nourishes trees which become Wood. Thus completing the generative cycle.

Destructive cycle (Ko cycle)

In destructive cycle Fire melts Metal; Metal cuts Wood; Wood covers the Earth; and the Earth dams Water. Thus completing the destructive cycle. 

The 5 Elements are therefore not independent entities but exist in an intimate relation to each Elements which governs and is governed by another Element.

The Five Elements may refer not to five material substance but to five characteristics namely: 

Wood- solidity and ease of workability;

Fire- Combustion and development of heat

Earth- fertility

Metal- fusibility

Water- fluidity.

The theory of the five elements basically explains the interpromoting, inter-acting, over acting and counter-acting relationships among them. Its application to traditional medicine is classifying into diffrent categories, natural phenomena plus the tissues and organs of the human body and human emotions interpreting the relationship between the physiology and pathology of the human body and the natural environment with the laws of inter-promoting, over-acting and counter-acting of the five elements. This theory is used as a guide in medical practice.

WATER- The water is that quality in nature which describe as soaking and descending.

That which soaks, drips and descends causes SALTINESS.

FIRE- Fire is that quality in nature which describe as BLAZING AND UPRISING.

That which rises up generates BITTERNESS.

WOOD- Wood is that quality in nature which permits of curved surface or straight edges.

That which  of curved surfaces or straight edges give SOURNESS.

METAL- Metal is that quality in nature which can flow the form of a mould and then become hard. 

That which can flow the form a mould and then become hard, produce ACIDITY.

EARTH- Earth is tha quality in nature which permits of sowing and reaping.

That which permits of sowing, growth and reaping, gives rise to SWEETNESS.

The Five elements are gradually came to be associated with every conceivable category of phenomena in the universe which it was possible to classify in fives.