Wu Xing: The Five Elements Philosophy

The concept of wu xing is one that is prominent in Chinese thought and practices. Usually translated as “Five Phases”, this conceptual framework is used in traditional Chinese practices to explain a host of natural phenomena from cosmic cycles to the interactions of internal bodily organs. It is even used in understanding political regimes and Chinese medicinal properties.

Wu xing has often been compared to the ancient Greek philosophy featuring four elements that are regarded as unchanging building blocks of matter, but in Chinese belief, the five elements are seen as “ever-changing forces”. The concept of wu xing first came into existence during the period in Chinese history known as the Spring and Autumn Period (770 – 476 BCE) and was seen as a way of describing natural processes that we are unable to see nor understand.

The foundation of wu xing revolves around the understanding and knowledge that there is an intrinsic

source of energy in our universe that can only be understood through the interactions of these five natural elements. The elements are not seen as being physical objects but rather, a never-ending series of interactions and processes throughout the universe. These five interactions are explained as fuelling, forming, containing, carrying and feeding – and are known as the creation cycle. But just as there is a creation to all things, there is also destruction, which is described in the form of a destruction cycle, where the five overcoming interactions are melting, penetrating, separating, absorbing and quenching.

The true establishment of wu xing as a practice was only completely developed during the Han dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE), but records show that the origins of wu xing date as far back as to the Shang dynasty (1600 – 1046 BCE). Evidence such as oracle bone inscriptions that were used in divination rituals to predict and discern outcomes in Nature and human affairs showed that the wu xing theory was a concept that was slowly forming and developing. Associations of territories with directions, colours, spirits, and rituals in and after this era also suggested the progression of wu xing. Wu xing continued to develop after the Shang dynasty but only during the Han dynasty was evidence found that allowed for the standardisation of the theory.

One of the most fundamental texts that contained material on the wu xing theory was the Huainanzi (The Masters of Huainan) from 139 BCE, where the number five as a philosophy was finally standardised, drawing a correlation between wu xing in cosmology and morality, and extending the medical implications of the system.

Those who were able to truly understand wu xing were able to rule the country, heal patients and manage the transformations of life and longevity – Han thinkers even began using this system as a way to account for an ordered sequence or cycle of change.

In Chinese history, the successive dynasties were also linked to each of the five phases. The Xia dynasty (2200 – 1750 BCE) was associated with wood; the Shang dynasty (1750 – 1040 BCE), with metal; the Zhou dynasty (1100 – 256 BCE), with fire and the colour red; and the founder of the Qin dynasty (221 BCE to 206 AD) chose black and water as his symbols.

“The natural qualities of Heaven and Earth do not exceed five. The sage is able to use wu xing correctly in order to govern without waste”

–Huainanzi (The Masters of Huainan)