The principle of the Five Elements is pervasive in Chinese metaphysics.
It is felt in Feng Shui, Chinese Astrology, medicine and even in Chinese music!
The five elements are associated with the seasons, colours, taste, behaviour, organs in the body etc.
In the chart below, I have listed out the various associations of the Five Elements and the meaning of each element:-
| Associations | Metal | Wood | Water | Fire | Earth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seasons | Autumn | Spring | Winter | Summer | In-Between |
| Directions | West | East | North | South | Center |
| Yin Organs | Lung | Liver | Kidney | Heart | Spleen |
| Yang Organs | Large Intestine | Gall Bladder | Bladder | Small Intestine | Stomach |
| Music Notes | Re | Mi | La | So | Do |
| Colors | White | Green | Blue/ Black | Red | Yellow |
| Emotions | Wary/ Grief | Anger | Fear/ Anxiety | Joy/ Love | Obsession |
| Features | Breathe | Nails | Hair | Complexion | Breast |
| Taste | Spicy | Sour | Salty | Bitter | Sweet |
| Climate | Dry | Windy | Cold | Hot | Damp |
| Planet | Venus | Jupiter | Mercury | Mars | Saturn |
| Numbers | 4 & 9 | 3 & 8 | 1 & 6 | 2 & 7 | 5 & 10 |
| System | Respiratory | Nervous | Excretory | Circulatory | Digestive |
| Values | Righteous | Benovalent | Wisdom | Propriety | Sincere |