What are the Five Elements of Chinese Philosophy?
In Chinese philosophy, the five elements are: wood, water, fire, earth and metal. These elements are utilized in several schools of Chinese thought, including feng shui, traditional philosophy, astrology, traditional Chinese medicine, and martial arts. Philosophers dedicate their lives to researching these elements and their interactions in the hope of learning more about the intricate and carefully balanced systems which make up the universe.
In Chinese philosophy, the five elements are: wood, water, fire, earth and metal. These elements are utilized in several schools of Chinese thought, including feng shui, traditional philosophy, astrology, traditional Chinese medicine, and martial arts. Philosophers dedicate their lives to researching these elements and their interactions in the hope of learning more about the intricate and carefully balanced systems which make up the universe. Thinking about the five elements in the traditional Western sense of elements can be confusing, because the Chinese view the five elements as constantly shifting entities which coexist in a cyclical cycle of change and progression. According to Chinese philosophy, an imbalance in this cycle can lead to problems. Things like feng shui and traditional Chinese medicine are supposed to identify elemental imbalances and correct or prevent them to keep people happy and healthy.
