by Janette Peel

Created on: June 27, 2009

The five elements theory has been used throughout China for centuries and is appreciated not only in Feng Shui, but also in other disciplines such as Chinese astrology, acupuncture, acupressure, Chinese medicine and Chinese martial arts.

The five elements represent different phases of Chi energy, and are associated with different colors, directions, climates, emotions and Feng shui remedies. These fundamental elements are fire, earth, metal, water and wood, and are connected together in a cycle.

In Feng Shui, colors, building materials, compass sectors, and shapes all have an associated element, and in most situations, you will by trying to support a sector by using color and decorative objects.

The five elements and their associations are:

Fire: South

Color: Reds, pinks, sky blue, purple

Time of day: Noon

Season: Summer

Chi quality: Inspiration, activity, strength

Objects: bright lights, and candles.

Earth: South-west/north-west

Color: Yellows, creams, natural wood, beige and brown

Time of day: Afternoon

Season: Late summer

Chi quality: Allows Chi to settle and mature

Objects: Crystals, stone ornaments and vases.

Metal: West/north-west

Color: Whites, silver, grey, stainless steel, gold, chrome,

Time of day: Evening

Season: Autumn

Chi quality: Reflective, grounded

Objects: Electrical gadgets, computer, sound system, TV.

Water: North

Color: Dark blue, black

Time of day: Night

Season: Winter

Chi quality: Restful, quiet and profound but can stagnate and become cold

Objects: Water features, aquariums, images of water.

Wood: East/south-east

Color: Light green and dark greens

Time of day: Dawn

Season: Spring

Chi quality: Youth, stamina, ideas, activity, growth

Objects: Plants, flowers, money plant (Crassula Argenta).

To help you understand the dynamics of the five elements draw a circle with five marks evenly spaced around the circle starting at the top. The top mark represents fire, the next one moving clockwise is earth, then metal, followed by water and ending with wood. Also on this circle, between each element, mark with an arrow pointing clockwise and the word supports.

Now, starting at the element fire, draw a straight line directly to metal with an arrow pointing towards metal and write the word destroys, the next line, arrow and word destroys moves from metal to wood, next wood to earth, earth to water and water to fire. In the very center of the circle draw

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