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Five Elements (Feng Shui)

The Five Elements (五行, Wu Xing)—Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water—form the foundation of feng shui practice. Each element corresponds to specific directions, colors, shapes, and qualities. Understanding and balancing these elements is essential for creating harmonious spaces.

Last updated · Jan 14, 2026

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Five Elements in Feng Shui — elemental balance
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Meaning and ContextClassical RootsElemental CyclesPractical ApplicationsHow It Shows Up in FateFolioSources and QuotesFAQRelated

Meaning and Context

In feng shui, the Five Elements are not just philosophical concepts but practical tools for analyzing and adjusting spaces. Each element has specific associations with directions, colors, shapes, materials, and energetic qualities.

The elements interact through productive (生) and controlling (克) cycles, and understanding these relationships is key to creating balance and addressing specific feng shui needs.

  • Wood (木): East, Southeast | Green | Rectangular | Growth, vitality
  • Fire (火): South | Red, Orange | Triangular | Energy, passion
  • Earth (土): Center, SW, NE | Yellow, Brown | Square | Stability, grounding
  • Metal (金): West, Northwest | White, Gold | Round | Clarity, precision
  • Water (水): North | Black, Blue | Wavy | Wisdom, flow
Application principle
In feng shui, we use elements to support areas (add the corresponding element), control excess energy (add the controlling element), or enhance specific qualities (add elements from the productive cycle).

Classical Roots

Classical texts establish the directional correspondences of elements:

From Yangzhai Sanyo
「五行配八方，各有所主。」
Plain translation
"The Five Elements correspond to the eight directions, each governing its domain."

This establishes the spatial mapping of elements that is fundamental to feng shui practice.

Elemental Cycles

The two primary cycles govern element interactions:

  • Productive Cycle (相生): Wood feeds Fire → Fire creates Earth (ash) → Earth produces Metal → Metal enriches Water (minerals) → Water nourishes Wood
  • Controlling Cycle (相克): Wood penetrates Earth → Earth dams Water → Water extinguishes Fire → Fire melts Metal → Metal cuts Wood

These cycles inform feng shui cures. To strengthen an element, add its "mother" from the productive cycle. To weaken excess, add its controller.

Practical Applications

Applying Five Elements in feng shui:

  1. Direction enhancement: Add the native element to strengthen a sector (e.g., wood in East)
  2. Imbalance correction: Use controlling element if a sector has excess energy
  3. Career/purpose support: Add elements associated with your goals in relevant sectors
  4. Color and material choice: Select decor based on elemental correspondences
  5. Shape incorporation: Use elemental shapes (rectangular=wood, triangular=fire, etc.)
Balance principle
The goal is harmony, not dominance of any single element. A well-balanced space contains all five elements in appropriate proportions.

How It Shows Up in FateFolio

In FateFolio's Feng Shui tool, Five Elements analysis includes:

  • Assessment of elemental balance in your space
  • Direction-specific element recommendations
  • Color and material suggestions based on elemental needs
  • Identification of elemental excesses or deficiencies

Sources and Quotes

References include classical feng shui texts. Five Elements theory is universal across Chinese metaphysical systems.

Quoted excerpts

「五行配八方，各有所主。」
Source： 《阳宅三要》· 五行配合八个方位，各有其主管领域。
「五行相生相克，气以此流转。」
Source： 《葬书》· 五行相生相克，气因此流转变化。

FAQ

How do I know which elements my space needs?

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First, determine the facing direction of your space. Each direction has a native element. Then assess what is present: Are there dominant colors or materials? Is any element obviously missing? A comprehensive analysis also considers Flying Stars, Eight Mansions, and personal element needs based on BaZi. For a starting point, ensure all five elements are represented somewhere in your home.

Can I have too much of one element?

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Yes. Element excess can create imbalance. For example, too much Fire (red colors, triangular shapes, too much light) can cause agitation and conflict. Too much Water can create instability or emotional overwhelm. The remedy is to add the controlling element or reduce the excess element's representation in the space.