The system of five elements (five dynamic forces) originates in nature, and is the result of the dynamic quality of all activity in nature.
It is one of the basic pillars, one of the supporting concepts of Chinese philosophy, which include Feng Shui, in the implementation of the art of harmonizing a space in relation to an individual, so that they feel happy and content in that space.
The five elements encompass our entire reality, and their interaction creates the unique dynamic of our lives.
They are: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.
Each has its own unique quality, but are also interconnected, and their interrelationships keep the whole in balance. We sense these five principles not only in the space around us, but also in our bodies, our food, our lives; they permeate our entire reality on every level.
These five elements have their own physical form, and at the same time contain within themselves an intangible principle, which we then live through. An important rule and fundamental teaching of Feng Shui is that space, the matter that surrounds us, influences our lives and takes significant part (even if not fully) in our state of mind, our feelings, our emotions, our experiences, mood, overall physical state, our overall energy, and measure of our health on every level of our being. Therefore, that which creates our material environment, its composition, which energies dominate, and which may be missing, is essential. We can then perceive parallels between the dominant energy in our lives, which tendency dominates, which languishes, or which is missing entirely.
We all yearn to feel well. For this we need an inviting, harmonious environment that generates well-being, tranquillity, safety, balances our overall measure of energy, and brings us into harmony. This essential space is not only our home, but may also be our workplace, where we spend most of our time.
Every one of us is unique, and that is reflected in the proportion of the representation of the individual element in our residence and home.
However, we always have the opportunity to change that which does not suit us, and support that which makes us feel well.
It is beneficial to be more aware of what we want for ourselves in live, and grasp it more firmly in our hands. We can entrust an expert of Feng Shui to perfectly tune the energy of our residence, but it can sometimes be enough to awaken our own creativity, tastes, and sensitivity, and, with small adjustments, change our space so that we and our loved ones feel balanced and content in it, and experience life with greater feelings of well-being and health, and are successful and happy.
The element of wood belongs to the East, spring, morning, and childhood. It symbolizes the principle of growth, the inclination toward development, forward movement.
It supports creativity, originality, change, enthusiasm for all things new. It encourages continued creation and shatters stereotypes and strict regulation.
The element of fire belongs to the South, summer, noon, and youth. It symbolizes the principles of expansion, openness, breadth, widening in all directions.
It supports temperament, emotionality and passion, action, open communication, self-awareness, power, and communicating who you are and your abilities.
Into life and space, it imports light, warmth, aridity, feelings of joy and vitality, increases energy.
Fire's energy brings honour and fairness, success in public life, fame, and recognition. An overabundance supports forcefulness, insensitivity.
The element of earth belongs to late summer, noon, and adulthood. It symbolizes the principles of stability, sturdiness, fairness, wisdom, existential certainty, grounding, rootedness and nourishment, calmness, and tranquillity.
It supports self-assurance, sound instincts, stability in the existential aspects of life, balance, care for oneself and others, partnership, and personal relationships.Into life and space it imports the qualities of dependability, responsibility and discipline, cosiness, and belonging.
Earth's energy slows, brings harmony, peace and tranquillity, support. An overabundance can lead to mistrust or to sluggishness.
The element of metal belongs to the West, sunset, evening, autumn, and maturity. It symbolizes the principles of ripening, wholeness and width, durability, constancy, and structure.
It supports strength, business professionalism, precision, orderliness, clear order in life, rules, responsibility and fairness, but also elimination of trivialities.
Into life and space it imports the qualities of organization, cleanliness, beauty, and comfort.
Metal's energy brings abundance and success in financial matters, luck and usefulness for the community. An overabundance can lead to hurriedness and indiscretion, negligence and recklessness, sorrow.
The element of water belongs to the North, nighttime, winter, and old age. It symbolizes primarily the principle of continuous flow, cleanliness and renewal, coolness.
It supports introspectiveness, contact with one's own profound life purpose, inner source and values, and realisation of the singularity of one's own life path. It helps to free restrictive control, allow life to flow freely while trusting its natural course.
Into life and space it imports emotional sensitivity, tranquillity, wisdom, nourishment, and support.
Water's energy cleanses, brings wealth and prosperity, artistry, and beauty. An overabundance can bring nervousness and fear, or lethargy and depression.
The universe represents the energy of life through the interconnection of the five basic elements.