The five phases: wood, fire, earth, metal and water

The five phases, often called the five elements, are wood, fire, earth, metal and water. They form a traditional model for classifying things and describing relationships of change, rather than five elements of modern chemistry.

The Book of Documents, Great Plan (Shangshu, Hong Fan), lists water, fire, wood, metal and earth, associating them with moistening and descending, flaming upward, bending and straightening, yielding to transformation, and sowing and harvesting. Later schools developed further correspondences and relationships. Begin with the five names, then study the generating and overcoming cycles. The meaning of “five phases” varies across historical texts. Colours and materials can evoke these cultural images as expressions of taste or good wishes, without guaranteeing a change in destiny.

Introductory cultural reference, not personal fortune-telling, medical or investment advice. Symbolism expresses a wish, not a guaranteed effect.