five elements, five phase theory, chinese medicine, health, wellness, imbalance, wu xing

  The ancient Chinese identified 5 basic elements that were indispensable to their lives at that time. These elements (fire, earth, metal, water and wood) became emblematic in what developed into the so-called 5Element Theory (or “Wu Xing”) around 500-200BCE. The theory categorizes everything in the natural world to explain their movement and qualities, and to describe dynamics between things. Rather than denoting the fundamental components of matter, the 5 elements describe processes, like growth and decline. “Wu Xing” literally means five walks, or five moves, and so a better name for the theory is really the Five Phase Theory. Each phase symbolizes a state of motion, or process: Fire represents peak action, Earth a state off balance or neutrality, Metal a state of decline, Water represents a maximum state of rest, and Wood a state of growth.

Each element is classified with other things in nature that possess similar characteristics and tendencies- the seasons, climate, colors, internal organs, sensory organs, flavors, emotions and so forth are all grouped by the phase that embodies their traits.

The phases are interdependent. Each promotes or leads to the next one in a generative way. For instance, springtime gives way to summer, which becomes late summer, which evolves into autumn, and then into winter, and the cycle continues. The natural laws of generation or support (sheng) and, in turn, restraint or restriction (ke) govern this paradigm.  For example, water nourishes or generates wood (in nature, plants need water to grow and thrive), but water also restricts fire (water can physically extinguish a fire). It is a general framework through which to describe dynamic connections and the natural ebb and flow of energy, or qi. The arrows on the graphic representation shown above describe these rules:

Water promotes Wood; Wood promotes Fire; Fire promotes Earth; Earth promotes Metal; Metal promotes Water.

Water restrains Fire; Wood restrains Earth; Fire restrains Metal; Earth restrains Water; Metal restrains Wood.

 While Wu Xing may have metaphysical implications, it is useful to the Chinese medicine practitioner for diagnosis and treatment. The organs and other physical attributes are classified according to the 5 elements, and some acupuncture points along each meridian on the extremities are assigned five element labels, because they possess similar properties and elicit specific effects when needled with acupuncture. The theory explains the relationships between the internal organs and between humans and the environment, in terms of physiology and pathology.

When an imbalance occurs within one element, it doesn’t typically stay put- it affects other elements as well. For example, if the Liver (Wood) is overactive and unchecked, it might consequently affect the Spleen (Earth); symptom-wise, this might appear as high stress (Liver-Wood) causing digestive issues (Spleen-Earth) like bloating, indigestion, or bowel problems.  

The paradigm was incorporated into Chinese Medicine theory to supplement the concepts of yin and yang (which take precedence). Different schools of thought emphasize the use of the Wu Xing more or less. The 5 Phase Theory is not meant to be a definitive stand-alone tool. It informs, along with other signs, symptoms, and patterns, the diagnosis and treatment plan for each individual case.

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