Yin & Yang

Following the course of nature, the ancient Chinese were trying to understand the laws of life and Qi energy that is invisible and cannot be heard - but is omnipresent, creating the life itself. Yin and Yang are the two poles of this energy, representing the opposites, but yet inseparable. They are constantly in motion, interchanging. Their dynamic relation creates and rules all the life there is. The interaction between Yin and Yang reflects in day and night, positive and negative, active and passive, fast and slow, male and female, hot and cold. They cannot exist separated from each other. Yin and Yang are the two basic forms of qi energy. Their interaction describes the five energy phases, or put differently, the five primordial elements.

The Balance of the 5 elements

In the 5-element theory the Wood produces Fire, the Fire produces Earth, the Earth produces Metal, the Metal produces Water and the Water produces Wood. The Five elements are actually five different energies or types of energy. The expression“Wood produces Water”is actually describing an energy transformation. It is of uttermost importance to understand that the five elements always strive to attain balance, and it is through the five elements that the Yin and Yang balance is achieved.

The Productive Cycle

The burning Wood produces Fire, and the Fire further produces Earth (soil or ashes in this particular case). Deep in the Earth Metal (in the form of ore) is created over years, and Water condenses on the Metal surface. And finally, we all know that while watering plants the Water produces the Wood.

The Controlling Cycle

The Water puts out the Fire, the Fire forges the Metal and the Metal cuts the Wood. The Wood airs the Earth (soil) with its roots, and the Earth in the form of soil retains the Water.