English · BaZi Glossary
The Five Elements (五行)
The Five Elements (Chinese 五行, wǔ xíng) — Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water — are the foundation of BaZi and of Chinese cosmology. They are not static substances but five phases of energy that constantly cycle through two relationships: the generating cycle (生), in which each element produces the next, and the controlling cycle (克), in which each element restrains another. Every Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch in a BaZi chart carries one of the Five Elements, and the balance between them — which are strong, weak, supported, or clashing — is what a reading interprets. Understanding the five phases and their two cycles is the first step to reading any chart.
- Wood (木) Growth and expansion — the upward, living force of spring.
- Fire (火) Heat and radiance — the expressive, rising force of summer.
- Earth (土) Stability and nourishment — the grounding center.
- Metal (金) Structure and refinement — the contracting force of autumn.
- Water (水) Flow and wisdom — the descending, storing force of winter.
FAQ
What is The Five Elements (五行)?
The Five Elements (Chinese 五行, wǔ xíng) — Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water — are the foundation of BaZi and of Chinese cosmology. They are not static substances but five phases of energy that constantly cycle through two relationships: the generating cycle (生), in which each element produces the next, and the controlling cycle (克), in which each element restrains another. Every Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch in a BaZi chart carries one of the Five Elements, and the balance between them — which are strong, weak, supported, or clashing — is what a reading interprets. Understanding the five phases and their two cycles is the first step to reading any chart.
Which BaZi terms are included in The Five Elements (五行)?
Wood (木), Fire (火), Earth (土), Metal (金), Water (水)