Five Elements
Primary Correspondences within Five Element Theory
The Five Element theory is based on the observation of the natural cycles and interrelationships in both our environment and within ourselves. The foundation of the theory rests in the correspondences of each element to a variety of phenomena. The most common correspondences are listed in the chart below:
| FIRE | EARTH | METAL | WATER | WOOD | |
| Yin Organs | Heart & Pericardium |
Spleen | Lungs | Kidneys | Liver |
| Yang Organs | Small Intestine & Triple Heater |
Stomach | Large Intestine | Urinary Bladder | Gall Bladder |
| Sense Organs | Tongue | Mouth | Nose | Ears | Eyes |
| Tissues | Vessels | Muscles | Skin | Bone | Tendons |
| Tastes | Bitter | Sweet | Pungent | Salty | Sour |
| Colors | red | yellow | white | blue/black | green |
| Sounds | Laughing | Singing | Crying | Groaning | Shouting |
| Odor | scorched | fragrant | rotten | putrid | rancid |
| Emotions | Joy | Worry/Pensiveness | Grief/Sadness | Fear | Anger |
| Seasons | Summer | Late Summer | Autumn | Winter | Spring |
| Environment | Heat | Dampness | Dryness | Cold | Wind |
| Developmental Stages | Growth | Transformation | Harvest | Storage | Birth |
| Direction | south | center | west | north | east |
| Body Types | pointed features small hands quick energetic |
large features strong legs calm generous |
triangular features strong voice meticulous, strong willed |
round features strong digestion loyal, enjoy movement |
tall slender strong bones and joints hard workers |
Five Element Cyles, Relationships and Interactions
Within five element theory there are four main relationships or ways in which the elements interact. The first of these is the generating (sheng, mother-child) cycle. This cycle describes the ways in which each element, serving as a mother, promotes the growth and development of the following child element.
Examples of this cycle are the Wood element providing the generative force for Fire, Fire providing the generative force for Earth, etc. This relationship provides the foundation for understanding five element theory and, consequently, where imbalances may arise within the cycle. If Earth, for example, is weakened from a poor diet and overwork you will see that more nourishment is requested from the Fire element to nourish Earth. Additionally, if Earth is weakened the Metal element may also be effected.