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The 5 Elements
The 5 Elements Chinese medical theory classifies natural phenomena into the Five Elements. This is known in Chinese as "Wu Xing" which can also be translated as the five forms, movements, or phases.
The Five Elements are:
- FIRE
- EARTH
- METAL
- WATER
- WOOD
The Five Elements model is used to explain the relationships and interactions between various phenomena in the natural world.
This philosophical model was incorporated into many different Chinese traditions including Feng Shui Astrology, Traditional Chinese Medicine, music, martial arts, and military strategy.This system was originally founded on the concept of the Five Cardinal Points, and is still used today by many Alternative Medicine practitioners.
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Cycles
The Five Element theory describes two main Cycles of Balance, a creation/generating ( sheng ) cycle and a control /destruction ( ke ) cycle of interactions between the five forms.
Generating (Sheng) Cycle
- FIRE creates/makes EARTH (ash)
- EARTH creates/bears METAL
- METAL collects WATER
- WATER nourishes WOOD
- WOOD feeds FIRE
Control (Ke) Cycle
- WATER quenches/douses FIRE
- FIRE melts METAL
- METAL splits WOOD
- WOOD parts/breaks EARTH
- EARTH absorbs WATER
There are also two Cycles of Imbalance, an overacting ( cheng) cycle and an insulting ( wu) cycle.
Overacting (Cheng) Cycle
- Too much FIRE overacts EARTH
- Too much EARTH overacts METAL
- Too much METAL overacts WATER
- Too much WATER overacts WOOD
- Too much WOOD overacts FIRE
Insulting (Wu) Cycle
- Too much METAL insults FIRE
- Too much WOOD insults METAL
- Too much EARTH insults WOOD
- Too much WATER insults EARTH
- Too much FIRE insults WATER
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Primary Correspondences Within Five Element Theory
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FIRE
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EARTH
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METAL
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WATER
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WOOD
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Yin Organs
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Heart &
Pericardium
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Spleen
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Lungs
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Kidneys
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Liver
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Yang Organs
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Small Intestine & Triple Heater
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Stomach
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Large Intestine
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Urinary Bladder
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Gall Bladder
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Sense Organs
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Tongue
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Mouth
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Nose
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Ears
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Eyes
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Tissues
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Vessels
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Muscles
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Skin
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Bone
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Tendons
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Tastes
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Bitter
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Sweet
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Pungent
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Salty
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Sour
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Colors
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RED
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YELLOW
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WHITE
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BLUE / BLACK
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GREEN
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Sounds
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Laughing
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Singing
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Crying
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Groaning
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Shouting
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Odor
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Scorched
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Fragrant
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Rotten
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Putrid
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Rancid
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Emotions
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Joy
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Worry/Pensiveness
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Grief/Sadness
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Fear
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Anger
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Seasons
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Summer
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Late Summer
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Autumn
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Winter
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Spring
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Environment
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Heat
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Dampness
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Dryness
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Cold
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Wind
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Developmental Stages
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Growth
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Transformation
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Harvest
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Storage
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Birth
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Direction
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South
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Center
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West
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North
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East
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Body Types
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pointed features
small hands
quick energetic
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large features
strong legs
calm generous
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triangular features
strong voice
meticulous, strong willed
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round features
strong digestion, loyal, enjoy movement
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tall slender
strong bones and joints
hard workers
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