What are the 5 Elements…and How they Work together? One Must have a Basic Understanding of the History of Feng Shui and Introduction to Chi
Please note there are many types of chi, such as sha chi, sheng chi, si chi, etc… You can Read more about What is Chi here.
What they came to clearly understand (and define as a foundation for good feng shui) is that in order for an indoor environment to replicate the potency of Chi, or Universal energy and promote the health and vitality of people, several specific elements must be present.
What are the 5 Elements…and How they Work together?
These vital 5 elements were defined as Fire, Earth, Metal and Water, and Wood.
Wood Is Best represented by Trees.
We think of Greens, deep forest, plants and flowers items made out of wood such as your tables and chairs, a desk or dining room table or headboard in the master bedroom. Pillars in the basement or hallway, stripes or artwork portraying landscapes with magical gardens all can be implemented as the Wood area of your space. Tall, rectangular shapes are a representation of the Wood element. Have you ever noticed that most wood people are Taller and thin and sometimes overpowering?
Fire is best represented by what else, FIRE.
Some practitioners use anything using the Red colors. Not as effective.
The Fire Elements is represented by lighting candles, lit fireplaces the sun and sunlight, triangular-shaped or conical shaped art or statues. You can even implement furniture or decorative items in Red Colors.
Earth is best represented by earth tone colors.
items made out of clay or terracotta, such as potted plants, tile, stucco brick or earthenware, the Shape that best represents the earth element is square and stable. Deserts, sand, flat plateaus, and earthy landscapes are all of the earth element. Crystal is the Earth element.
Metal is white and light pastels, such as gray, yes all 50 shades.
Silver and Gold are metals, precious ones too! Metal is best represented by the circular shape.
Water is black, blue all shades think of oceans, and the bottom of those.
Water features items made from mirrors, free-form wavy shapes art depicting bodies of water. Highly Intelligent.
The Five Elements and How They Work Together
Earth (rocks, ceramics), Fire (candles, fireplaces), Metal (electronics, silver picture frames) Water (fountains, aquariums), Wood (living plants or trees – dead wood, like furniture, is yin wood)
To understand how the 5 elements work together, it is best demonstrated by the cycles that Chi moves.
There are three main cycles that Chi Moves.
These are three Cycles in which Chi Moves are:
Productive, Destructive and Controlled Cycles or phases as they are often called.
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| The Five Elements….how they work together/www.circleofwealth.ca |
The Productive Feng Shui Five Elements Cycle works like this:
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| Wood feeds fire (fire burns wood for fuel) |
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| Fire makes earth (fire makes ashes = earth) |
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| Earth creates Metal (deposits in earth) |
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| Metal holds water (condensation on can) |
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| Water nurtures wood (plants drink water) |
Now you know what the 5 elements are let’s look at How the 5 Elements work together?
The general rule of thumb for Explaining How the 5 Elements work together is:
- If the dominant element is wood, then use metal and highlight with earth and fire.
Do not use water. - If the dominant element is fire, then use water and highlight with earth and metal.
Do not use wood. - If the dominant element is earth, then use wood and highlight with metal and water.
Do not use fire. - If the dominant element is metal, then use fire and highlight with water and wood.
Do not use earth. - If the dominant element is water, then use earth and highlight with wood and fire.
Do not use metal.
The Destructive Feng Shui Five Elements Cycle works like this:
- Wood consumes earth (plants take nutrients)
- Earth dams water (earth stops water from flowing)
- Water extinguishes fire (water will kill fire)
- Fire melts metal (metal will melt and change form)
- Metal chops wood (axes, etc.)
To balance the five elements use Productive and Destructive cycles. Use the creative Productive cycle to enhance a particular element. For instance, the ideal element in the South area is fire. Since it is appropriate and desirable to have the fire element there, then you can add wood or fire to enhance the area.
Use the destructive cycle to weaken, control or balance an overly dominant element. For example, if you live in a wood house in the forest with a hardwood floor then you would have too much of the wood element present. In this case, you would need to add a significant amount of metal to balance your environment.
The Destructive Cycle is the way of relating between the feng shui elements where each element is destroying the other (or making it really, really weak).
Remember, don’t think of the destructive cycle as bad think of it as controlling, or just look at it as a way to understand and balance the elements. Remember to always take a compass reading so you know exactly what area you are working with.
* Please note that this information is for general circumstances, you should always consult with a Feng Shui Consultant before applying any Fengshui cures or remedies in your home or office.
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Any questions email me hello@circleofwealth.ca
Dee is the feng shui expert for CircleofWealth.ca~Destiny Defined and consultant (in person and long-distance). She lives in Toronto, Ontario Canada, and consults locally as well as internationally.