5 Elements – The Heartbeat of Feng Shui: Understanding the Cycle

5 Elements

I am sure you heard of it. The 5 elements (五行) is a fundamental principle in Chinese Metaphysics. Whether it is Bazi or Feng Shui methodology such as Flying Stars or 三吉重叠, the concept of the 5 elements is highly prevalent. This is also true in Auspicious Name selection as well.

The 5 elements in Feng Shui and Chinese Metaphysics are namely—Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water—are the building blocks of the environment. The goal is to seek harmony and balance when interacting with the environment (indirectly, the elements). Each element is not isolated; they work together in a dynamic cycle of creation/production (生), destruct (克), exhaustive (泄), Identical (同) and deficient (侮) that shapes the energy flow in your home or workplace. These names are confusing, and the English translation may not be reflective if you look up diagrams or explanations from online sources.

In this article, we'll explore the cycle of the 5 elements and how you can use their natural flow to bring positive energy into your Singapore home.

The Cycle of Creation/Production (生)

The Cycle of Creation is where one element produces and creates another. A good example is feeding Wood to a fire, and the flames will strengthen.

1. Wood creates Fire (More combustible material encourages larger flames)

2. Fire creates Earth (through ash)

3. Earth creates Metal (Earth contains minerals)

4. Metal collects Water (as condensation)

5. Water creates Wood (Nurture and promote the growth of Wood)

   
   

The Cycle of Destruction（克）

The next cycle that we should be familiar with is destruction. It is the most detrimental in terms of weakening an element.

1. Wood destroys Earth (Wood holds Earth)

2. Fire destroys Metal (Fire melts and reduces the integrity of metal)

3. Earth destroys Water (Absorption)

4. Metal destroys Wood (Woodcutting and logging)

5. Water destroys fire (Extinguish)

The Cycle of Exhaustion（泄）

The third cycle with which we should be familiar is the exhaustion cycle. This is the reverse cycle of creation. For example, if Wood promotes the growth of the fire, then the fire will exhaust the existence of Wood. The cycle of exhaustion is slightly behind the cycle of destruction in terms of its weakening effect.

1. Fire exhaust Wood (Exhaust Wood by burning it)

2. Wood exhaust Water （Deplete and consume Water）

3. Water exhaust Metal （Rust and corrosion）

4. Metal exhaust Earth (Impoverish)

5. Earth exhaust Fire (Smother)

   
   

The Cycle of Deficiency（侮）

This cycle is rarely touched on. It is difficult to find any information regarding this cycle in open sources. The reason is that this cycle does not weaken an element as much as destruction and exhaustion do. (Note that this cycle is the reverse cycle of destruction).

1. Wood causes deficiency in Metal (Blades and machinery will be blunt)

2. Metal causes deficiency in Fire （Flames will eventually burn out）

3. Fire causes deficiency in Water （Heat will result in evaporation and steam）

4. Water causes deficiency in Earth (Destabilize Earth, erodes)

5. Earth causes deficiency in Wood (Weakening roots)

The Cycle of Identical（同）

The last cycle is intuitive but rarely mentioned. Everyone knows this but we will include it for completeness. This cycle suggests that having more of the same element makes you stronger.

1. A seedling is weak, while a forest of Wood is strong

2. A single blade is weak, while a large piece of metal is strong

3. A small flame is weak, but a colossal Fire is strong

4. A trickle of Water is weak, but a tsunami of Water is strong

5. A pot of soil is weak, but a vast piece of land (Earth) is strong

The importance of 5 elements

Now that we know these 5 elements and how each affects one another, let's understand more about how this principle is being used in various areas.

Application in Bazi

Everyone will have a base element. This can be determined based on one's Bazi. A person can be a strong (身强) element or a weak (身弱) element. The ideal situation is to achieve a balance (neither too strong nor too weak); hence, there is no negative connotation to being weak (身弱) per se. An example: A person who is a Strong fire who favors elements such as Earth, Metal, and Water while not requiring any more wood or fire. The above principle is the most simplified analogy and is for illustration.

Application in Feng Shui (Flying Star Reading and 三吉重叠)

Ever wonder why certain items such as plants, water features, or specific materials of an ornament are preferred over another? The concept of 5 elements is deeply ingrained into the principles of Feng Shui, regardless of whichever methodology (Be it Flying Star Feng Shui, 三吉重叠, or Eight Mansions -八宅法).

From a Feng Shui perspective, a Feng Shui Consultant will first need to establish the element of each sector in the house or office. After considering other variable factors, the consultant will then opt for the most appropriate item, which usually incorporates one of the 5 elements—be it form, colour, or number (see below segment). This will uplift the energy of that segment, thus attracting positive Qi (气).

Another common practice in Feng Shui that incorporates the 5 elements is analyzing the external environment. Prior to activating your yearly flying star Feng Shui, it is advisable to also have an audit of your external environment. (For 2025 Flying Stars, you may refer to this article and for Period 9 Flying Stars, you may refer here). Fixing the poison arrow (煞气) of your external environment will amplify the effect of your yearly flying star Feng Shui.  

Certain poison arrows may impact a house Feng Shui. These poison arrows are a resultant of external formations such as a building, a landform, a water body or roads. Some examples of common poison arrows include:

1. 穿心煞 – Heart penetration arrow arises from something long and straight directly in front of your house

2. 天刀煞 – Heavenly Knife arrow is present if there is a huge signage facing directly in front of your house         

3. 反弓煞 – Convex arrow is a prevalent situation in Singapore. This occurs when a road or a long water body is of a convex shape in front of one's house. (Do note the difference between Concave and Convex.)

   
   

Understanding the direction and severity of each poison arrow, a Feng Shui consultant may advise using different items to dispel its negative effects. The elements of the poison arrow and the Feng Shui item are essential considerations for its effectiveness. Some examples include:

1. If the poison arrow is coming from the North, place a faceted smoky quartz crystal

2. If the poison arrow comes from the West or Northwest, have a table lamp or light feature

   
   

Auspicious Name Selection

"算过名字? 算笔画?" these should be very common when you have a newborn. Well, I would not be surprised that 20, 30 years ago, your parents would have also done that for your name. An auspicious name selection focuses on a few things. Meaning of each character, the number of Chinese strokes (based on the old Kangxi Dictionary), a combination of strokes 格, and last but not least, elements. There are specific methods like三才配置 and 十二生肖配对 which place emphasis on the name's element. Similar to what was mentioned earlier, the ultimate goal is to ensure one will enjoy the balance of the 5 elements.  

Lucky Colour, Lucky Number?

The concept of lucky colors and numbers sometimes boils down to the element. For colours, it is intuitive that blue represents Water and green represents Wood. Of course, there are a few interesting colours that are not that intuitive. For that purpose, we will provide a list here for those interested. This is the same for numbers, digits to be specific. There will be some cross-references to numerology, especially for longer strands of numbers. Interestingly, shapes can also be broadly classified into different categories of the 5 elements.

The main focus here is not to find out why and how these colours, numbers or shapes are associated with each element. Instead, we would like to highlight that these will all be considered when a Feng Shui Master assists you with their Feng Shui Analysis or selection of Feng Shui items. It would thus not be challenging to understand what material of an item, its preferred number and colour is the most optimal if you are looking to activate a specific sector of the flying star chart. Of course, there are still other considerations, and for the purpose of this article, the points are greatly simplified to make it digestible for readers.

Conclusion

The 5 Elements are more than just symbols in Chinese Metaphysics and Feng Shui—they represent a dynamic cycle in one's environment. Understanding and utilizing this cycle can bring balance, harmony, and prosperity into your life. Do note that the above principles are greatly simplified to facilitate understanding.

Want to learn more about how Feng Shui can enhance your life? Contact us today, and let's create a space that supports your dreams and well-being!

Disclaimer:The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as professional advice or a substitute for consulting a qualified Feng Shui or Chinese Metaphysics expert. The concepts discussed, including the 5 elements and their cycles, are based on traditional practices and should be understood as a part of the broader cultural context. Results may vary depending on individual circumstances, and the application of Feng Shui or Bazi principles should be tailored to each specific situation. While the article aims to simplify complex concepts, it is always recommended to seek personalized guidance from a certified consultant for detailed analysis. The author and website are not liable for any actions taken based on this article.