Wuxing (Chinese: 五行) Aurum Cufflinks

Wuxing (Chinese: 五行)

Wuxing (Chinese: 五行; pinyin: wǔxíng),^[a] usually translated as Five Phases or Five Agents,^[2] is a fivefold conceptual scheme used in many traditional Chinese fields of study to explain a wide array of phenomena, including cosmic cycles, the interactions between internal organs, the succession of political regimes, and the properties of herbal medicines.

Generating Cycle (Shēng Cycle)

In this cycle, each element generates or nourishes the next:

1. Wood generates Fire: Wood provides the fuel for Fire to burn.

2. Fire generates Earth: Fire creates ash, which enriches the Earth.

3. Earth generates Metal: Earth condenses to form Metal.

4. Metal generates Water: Metal helps in the condensation process, leading to Water.

5. Water generates Wood: Water nourishes plants and trees (Wood).

Controlling Cycle (Kè Cycle)

In this cycle, each element controls or overcomes another:

1. Wood controls Earth: Roots of trees and plants break up the Earth.

2. Earth controls Water: Earth dams and absorbs Water.

3. Water controls Fire: Water extinguishes Fire.

4. Fire controls Metal: Fire melts Metal.

5. Metal controls Wood: Metal (like an axe) can cut down Wood.

Finding Your Element:

To find out which element corresponds to your birth year, simply look at the last digit of the year you were born and match it with the element:

1. 0 or 1: Metal

2. 2 or 3: Water

3. 4 or 5: Wood

4. 6 or 7: Fire

5. 8 or 9: Earth

Example :