The Wu Xing are an ancient device for systems with 5 stages; hence the preferred translation of “movements”, “phases” or “steps” over “elements”.
The movements are:
- Wood
- Fire
- Earth
- Metal
- Water
The system of five phases was used for describing interactions and relationships between phenomena. It was employed as a device in many fields of early Chinese thought, including seemingly disparate fields such as geomancy or Feng shui, astrology, traditional Chinese medicine, music, military strategy and martial arts.
Generating
- Wood feeds Fire
- Fire creates/produces Earth (ash)
- Earth bears Metal
- Metal carries Water (as in a bucket or tap, or water condenses on metal)
- Water nourishes Wood
Overcoming
- Wood parts Earth (such as roots)
- Earth absorbs (or muddies) Water
- Water quenches Fire
- Fire melts Metal
- Metal chops Wood
OR
- Wood absorbs Water
- Water rusts Metal
- Metal breaks up Earth
- Earth smothers Fire
- Fire burns Wood
Here follows an excellent example of how the five elements interact with each other:
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