5 Elements

The 5 Elements

The expression Five Elements describes a type of moving energy or body of Qi, rather than merely a physical element. They are really the Five Energies. The term "element" is used frequently even though it is not a true definition.
The five elements are Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Metal. Everything in the universe is made up of one or a combination of these energies. These five energies are continuously interacting with one another; either in a productive, controlling or weakening cycle. An understanding of how these energies interact enables us to manipulate and use the available energies to their best advantage.
While the elements can be represented in a physical state, the more you delve into Feng Shui you will discover that they can also be a personal characteristic, a body part, a number, a direction or one of a number of other attributes. For these reasons it's important not to limit your thinking to just the physical.

Water

Properties	Water energy is flowing and fluid. Runs downhill.
Cycle	Water is enhanced by metal, is controlled by earth, dissipated when it is used to nourish wood, and drained when it controls fire.
Colour	Black or Dark Blue
Shape	Wavy or Sinuous
Physical item	Water, Ponds, Swimming pools, Lakes, Seas, Fountains, Aquariums, Humidifiers
Number	1
Direction	North

Wood

Properties	Wood energy is growing outwards and enduring.
Cycle	Wood is enchanced by water, is controlled by metal, dissipated when it is used to nourish fire, and drained when it controls earth.
Colour	Green
Shape	Tall and Rectangular
Physical item	Plants, Trees, Flowers, Grass, Bamboo, Wooden objects but living wood is preferred
Number	3, 4
Direction	East and South East

Fire

Properties	Fire energy radiates hot in every direction. It is very active and lifts the qi.
Cycle	Fire is enhanced by wood, is controlled by water, dissipated when it is used to nourish earth, and drained when it controls metal.
Colour	Red, Orange, Purple, Pink
Shape	Triangular, Pointed, Sharp
Physical item	Fire, Sun, Candles, Red lamps, Lightning, Electricity, Red objects, Fire place, Bright lights.
Number	9
Direction	South

Earth

Properties	Earth energy is Dense, All Encompassing, Attractive, Stable.
Cycle	Earth is enhanced by fire, is controlled by wood, dissipated when it is used to nourish metal, and drained when it controls water.
Colour	Brown, Beige, Yellow
Shape	Cubic shapes, square, Flat and broad shapes
Physical item	Mountains, Rocks, Bricks, Stones, Crystals, Pottery, Ceramics
Number	8, 5, 2
Direction	North East, Centre, South West

Metal

Properties	Metal energy is Sharp, Rigid, Pointing and Piercing.
Cycle	Metal is enhanced by earth, is controlled by fire, dissipated when it is used to nourish water, and drained when it controls wood.
Colour	White, Gold, Silver
Shape	Spherical, rounded
Physical item	Sword, Axe, Metal jewellery, Gold, Iron, Silver, Bronze, Brass, Metal sculpture and objects, Coins, Clocks, Metal windchime
Number	6 , 7
Direction	West and North West

The Cycles

The production cycle strengthens and grows the element it produces.
Example: Wood produces Fire.

The weakening cycle lessens the negative effect of an element.
Example: Fire weakens Wood.

Avoid using the controlling cycle as the effects can be unpredictable and may cause further problems later.
*Note: No element is ever “destroyed”, only transformed.
Example: Fire controls Metal.

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