1.
the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, water)
The five fundamental elements of traditional Chinese natural philosophy, thought to generate and overcome one another in cycles. Widely used in East Asian thought.
The five elements of traditional Chinese natural philosophy — 木 (wood), 火 (fire), 土 (earth), 金 (metal), and 水 (water). The elements are thought to generate and overcome one another in cycles.
Related words
- 陰陽五行: the yin-yang and five-elements cosmology
- 五行説: the theory of the five elements
Usage
The concept underlies much of traditional East Asian medicine, fortune-telling, and the calendar.