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Basic feng shui series
Wu xing - The elemental cycle
by Jayashree Bose

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The literal translation of Wu Xing is five elements or agents. 'Wu' means five and 'Xing' is loosely translated to 'properties', 'elements', 'agents', 'qualities'. In a wider context 'Wu Xing' means 'the five different types of qi'.

The five qi's
The five qi's are water, wood, fire, earth and metal. The five elements therefore are the closest physical representation of the five different types of qi's and assist in understanding the various properties of the different qi's. To avoid a common misconception of simply limiting qi to the physical attributes of the five elements, it is critical to appreciate that each element has its own distinct properties and reacts differently with other elements.

Element
Shape
Colour
Water Wavy    Blue, black
Wood   Column shaped Green
Fire    Triangle Red, orange
Earth Square  Brown, earth colors
Metal  Round   Silver, white, gold

The five elements interact with each other in the productive cycle, the destructive cycle (also known as cycle of destruction or controlling cycle) and a third cycle called the weakening cycle.

The Cycles

Productive cycle (Cycle of birth or Enhancing cycle)
This cycle represents an image of harmonious transformation of qi from one state to another. To make it easier for readers to understand:

  • wood is enriched/strengthened/fuelled/enhanced by water;
  • fire is enriched/strengthened/ fuelled/enhanced by wood;
  • earth is enriched/strengthened/fuelled/enhanced by fire;
  • metal is enriched/strengthened/ fuelled/enhanced by earth and
  • water is enriched/strengthened/ fuelled/enhanced by metal.

Weakening cycle
One element produces another and in doing so is itself weakened. However even in weakening it transforms to another element. The next element follows the same. Strengthened by one element and weakened while producing the next. For example, water is weakened while it enriches wood; wood on the other hand is strengthened by water but weakens when it produces fire.

  • wood is weakened by fire;
  • fire is weakened by earth;
  • earth is weakened by metal;
  • metal is weakened by water and
  • water is weakened by wood.

Controlling Cycle
In this cycle one type of qi controls or destroys another type of qi. For example, Wood controls or destroys earth. In other words wood depletes the energy of earth. Taking another example water destroys or controls fire. This cycle represents the disharmony that exists between elements.

  • wood is controled/destroyed by metal;
  • fire is controlled/destroyed by water;
  • earth is controlled/destroyed by wood;
  • metal is controlled/destroyed by fire and
  • water is controlled/destroyed by earth.

Wu Xing is an important part of feng shui. Understanding how the elements interact with each other and the cycles is essential for the feng shui analysis of a property.

Author's Note: It is a common misconception that the productive cycle is good and destructive cycle is bad. However in applying feng shui neither cycle is viewed as being good or bad. The choice of which cycle to apply depends on the location of the site and its environment.
 
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