Inter-relationship and interaction between the elements

The elements – Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, Earth – are an integral part of the Chinese Zodiac which define a universal balance. All things arise from and return to the earth – when we study the Zodiac, it’s important for us to bear the elements in mind, as every one of us are made up of these elements and are deeply connected to them.

Since the 5 elements are components of the Earth, they are all interdependent. Each element is controlled by another, while at the same time, each element brings about another. This indicates that each element has its own equal strength and weakness, and they have equal influence over each other.

The Generating Cycle: How One Element Creates Another

From Metal we get Water, from Water we get Wood, from Wood we get Fire, from Fire we get Earth and from Earth we get Metal:

Metal (in the form of a container) holds Water

Water (as a nourishing element), helps to grows Wood

Wood is burnt to create Fire

Fire burns every other element down into Earth

Metal is extracted from the Earth

The Controlling Cycle: How One Element Controls Another

Fire controls Metal, Water controls Fire, Earth controls Water, Wood controls Earth and Metal controls Wood:

Fire melts Metal into liquid

Water extinguishes a Fire

Earth absorbs and directs the flow of Water

Wood (as roots of a tree) holds the Earth together or breaks it apart

Metal, as axes, cuts down trees into Wood.

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