The Five Chinese Elements What are the Five Elements in Chinese Astrology?

According to Chinese philosophy the universe consists of heaven and earth. Where the heaven is made of Qi and earth is made of Wu Xing, better known as the Five Elements.

Wu Xing is usually translated as 'the five elements', but the Chinese word xing actually means something like 'changing states of being', 'permutations' or 'metamorphoses of being'.

The meaning and view on the elements is quite different between Chinese and Western Astrology. In Western Astrology, the four elements are the basic building blocks of matter. According to Chinese Astrology, the five elements are seen as ever changing and moving forces or energies. In the Chinese view, the attributes and properties of the Western and Indian Air element are equivalent to that of Wood, where the element of Ether is often seen as a correspondent to Metal).

The balance of yin and yang and the five elements related to a person have a great influence on what is beneficial and effective for them in terms of feng shui. Each element is linked to a particular direction and season, which determines their qì or life force.
 

The current ruling Chinese Element is Fire

Fire creates earth and melts metal
Fire is yang or masculine in character. The Primal Spirit of fire is represented by the Red Pheasant or Phoenix. Fire is...
Dynamic, humanitarian, enterprising, adventurous, restless, more »

 

The Yin or Yang is broken down into Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water) on top of the cycle of animals. These are modifiers and affect the characteristics of each of the 12 Chinese animal signs or zodiac.

The Five Chinese Elements
	Wood, Mù Wood feeds fire and parts earth Generous, warm, more »
	Fire, Huo Fire creates earth and melts metal Dynamic, humanitarian, more »
	Earth, Tu Earth bears metal and absorbs water Powerful, patient, more »
	Metal, Jin Metal collects water and chops wood Determined, self-reliant, more »
	Water, Shui Water nourishes wood and quenches fire Secretive, self-destructive, more »

 

What is Chinese Astrology?

Chinese or Eastern Astrology is the belief in which knowledge of the apparent relative positions of celestial bodies is used to understand and interpret personality characteristics and human behavior.

Chinese astrology is closely related to Chinese philosophy (theory of the three harmony, heaven, earth and water). Chinese Astrology differs from Western Astrology, because it uses the principles of yin and yang, wu xing teachings, the 10 Celestial stems, the 12 Earthly Branches, the lunisolar calendar (moon calendar and sun calendar), and the time calculation after year, month, day and shichen.

The Five Elements also play an important part in understanding personality characteristics and personal traits.

A complete description and the personality characteristics of your Chinese Element from the Five Elements are available in the full spiritual report or go to What is my Chinese Element?