Five Elements

The inter-promoting, inter-acting, over-acting and counteracting relation of the five elements

Promoting here implies promoting growth. The order of promoting is that wood promotes fire, fire promotes earth, earth promotes metal, metal promotes water, and water in turn promotes wood. In this inter-promoting relation of the five elements, each is in the position of "being promoted" and of "promoting", the promoting element being thought of as the "mother" and the promoted element as the "son", forming what is known as the "mother-son" relationship. Wood for example is promoted by water, which is the "mother" of wood, while fire is the "son" of wood, being promoted by wood.

Acting here connotes bringing under control or restraint. In the interacting relation of the five elements, the order is that wood acts on earth, earth acts on water, water acts on fire, fire acts on metal, and metal in turn acts on wood. In this relationship, each of the five elements occupies the position of "being acted on" and "acting on". Wood for example is acted upon by metal, while it acts on earth.

In the complicated correlation among things, neither promotion of growth nor control is dispensable. Without promotion of growth there would be no birth and development; without control, excessive growth would result in