Dynastic transitions According to the Warring States period political philosopher Zou Yan ( BCE), each of the five elements possesses a personified virtue (), which indicates the foreordained destiny () of a dynasty; hence the cyclic succession of the elements also indicates dynastic transitions. Zou Yan claims that the Mandate of Heaven sanctions the legitimacy of a dynasty by sending self-manifesting auspicious signs in the ritual color (yellow, blue, white, red, and black) that matches the element of the new dynasty (Earth, Wood, Metal, Fire, and Water). From the Qin dynasty onward, most Chinese dynasties invoked the theory of the Five Elements to legitimize their reign.
Dynastic transitions According to the Warring States period political philosopher Zou Yan ( BCE) each of the five elements possesses a personified virtue () which indicates the foreordained destiny () of a dynasty; hence the cyclic succession of the elements also indicates dynastic transitions Zou Yan claims that the Mandate of Heaven sanctions the legitimacy of a dynasty by sending self-manifesting auspicious signs in the ritual color (yellow blue white red and black) that matches the element of the new dynasty (Earth Wood Metal Fire and Water) From the Qin dynasty onward most Chinese dynasties invoked the theory of the Five Elements to legitimize their reign