The theory of five elements is an ancient philosophical thought that studies the concept, characteristics, and laws of the five elemental energies of wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. The five-element theory is used to explain the occurrence, development, change, and interrelationship of everything in the universe.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) applies the theory of five elements to the medical field, and also uses it to explain the organic connection between different body parts and the whole body, the body surface and the internal organs, as well as the union of the human body and the external environment.
The theory of five elements runs through all aspects of the theoretical system of TCM. It is used to explain the physiological functions and pathological changes of the human body, and to guide the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. It has become an essential component of the theoretical system of TCM.
The characteristics of the five elemental energies are abstract and gradually formed theoretical concepts based on the intuitive observation and understanding of the five substances wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. The characteristics of the five elements are:
“Curved and straight” means that the wood has the characteristics of being able to bend and stretch. The extension is that all things and phenomena that are related to growth, rising, stretch, and are well organized belong to wood.
“Blazing up” means that fire has the characteristic of being hot and moving upward. The extension is that all things and phenomena with warmth, rising, and brightness belong to fire.
“Harvesting crops” refers to the characteristics of soil for sowing and harvesting. The extension is that all things and phenomena that have transformation, bearing, and acceptance belong to the earth.
“Reform” means that metal has the characteristics of obedience and change. The extension is that all things and phenomena with clearing, convergence, and subsidence belong to metal.
“Dampening down” means that water has the properties of moisturizing and moving downward. The extension is that all things and phenomena that are moisturizing, submerged, cold, and hidden belong to water.
The attributes of all matters can be classified in nature according to the characteristics of the five elements, using the method of analogy and deduction.
(The Epoch Times)The basics of the theory of five elements include the generating and overcoming interaction between five elements, destruction and insulation of five elements, creation and overreaction of five elements, deficiency of five elements due to mother-and-son relationship, and four other aspects.
The mutual generation and overcoming interaction of the five elements refers to the dynamic and orderly relationship of mutual growth and mutual restraint among the five elements. The destruction and insulation of the five elements refers to the self-regulating mechanism in the five elements system. As there is a system among the five elements, the balance and stability of the five elements structure system are maintained, and the continuous growth of matters is promoted.
The creation and overreaction of the five elements and the abnormal changes of interaction of the five elements due to mother-and-son relationships, which are mainly used to explain some abnormal climate changes and pathological changes of the human body.