The 5 Element Theory – Various Manifestations – United Martial Arts Association

The 5 Phases Theory (Wu Xing)

Ancient Chinese scholars from thousands of years ago, recognized continuous patterns of change and transformation of natural cycles within the world and its environments that we exist in. The simple explanation can be distilled down to that basically everything we know of exists, in a delicate balance where each component affects every other component.

Not as basic, was how these patterns were interpreted using yin-yang (balance & harmony) logic. Later these interpretations were expanded to become somewhat more complex and called The Five Phase Theory (Wu Xing) or the Five Element Theory. The 5 Phase Theory is based on observation, contemplation, and meditation upon these various cycles and their processes, functions, and phenomena of nature and inner relationships with one another.

The theory proclaims that aspects of matter, can be divided into one of five basic elements of wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Each element contains their own specific characteristics and interrelationships. In modern times, the Five Phase Theory is still used as a tool for grouping substances and structures, as well as a method for studying changes of natural phenomena relative to health and disease.

One of the more obvious cycles is that of the change of climatic seasons from one to the next, initiating from the Earth’s yearly revolution around the Sun. Each season has a corresponding element as well as a relative balance of yin and yang. Spring spouts like growing plants (wood), Summer brings warmth (fire), late Summer brings maturation (earth), Fall brings the harvest (metal) while Winter brings transformation of death and rebirth (water). Just as these seasons affect the earth, so is plant and animal life affected.

The 5 Phase Theory is a major component of thought within TCM or traditional Chinese medicine. These elements have corresponding relationships within our environment as well as within our own being specifically the internal organs and emotions connected to them.

Most people are looking for some type of balance and harmony within their lives. Often, they have no plan nor method to achieve this other than doing their best on a day-to-day basis to find happiness. The 5 Phase Theory represents ancient wisdom that when studied and applied, can help to find the balance we seek.

I attached a graphic that I use to show the simplicity progressing to the complexity of this concept.