There is an esoteric side of tai chi that dips in and out of the Tao, the I-Ching, yin-yang theory, and the ancient Chinese five elements theory. For most practitioners, there isn’t anything within our culture or heritage that would make these concepts relatable or familiar. Unless you come from a philosophical background or have acupuncture knowledge, we are meant to wrap our minds around metaphors and new terminology while working to understand and improve our tai chi form. This can be intimidating but doesn’t have to be. With a quick overview of a theory or body of work and an understanding of the purpose it serves, we can use it to improve our tai chi, deepen our practice and also grow a bit in our understanding of our day-to-day lives.
Five Elements Theory is a Chinese philosophy dating back to the 2nd-1st century BCE used for describing the relationship of things and order that events transpire. It is central to Chinese Medicine for diagnosing ailments and can be used for assessing situations and making better decisions.
Many practitioners are drawn to the philosophical aspects of tai chi with the promise that what is learned during class and from practicing the form will have positive effects on our mental disposition and how we approach life. I have found this to be true. The slow repetition of familiar moves requires attention and focus. This concentration and desire for improvement can easily be applied to tasks on the job and the way I am interacting with anyone in my life.
What makes it easier is having a framework to compare my experiences to so that I can discover patterns (of work, movement, or negative thinking) that aren’t moving my life in the right direction or are causing unneeded worry or strife. Five Elements Theory is just that. I can experience frustration or a success, and the structure of the theory gives me hints at what was the cause and what I can do to change or maintain positive gains. Let’s define Five Element Theory, point you to some resources, and the show how to use it like a diagnostic tool to make better decisions and apply it to other areas of our lives.
What is Five Elements Theory?
Five Elements Theory describes five phases that events and systems transition through. It is most notably explained in its relationship to nature and the relationship between five natural elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.
The word for five elements in Chinese is Wuxing (五行) where Wu means 5 and Xing is most often translated as “elements.” I think that Western learners are at a disadvantage because relying on this single translated word limits our understanding of it . The character Xing (行) is used in words like moving planet, row, conduct, behavior, and even adjectives like temporary. Five “Phases” is also used, and I like that way better because it captures all of the possibilities of using Five Element Theory without only boiling it down to natural elements.
Forgive my wordiness here but to really understand just what is five elements theory two words or two characters doesn’t cut it. A better definition (e.g., understanding) of Five Elements Theory would be that it describes:
- The transitions in life where one thing leads to another (phases)
- The fact that things happen in an order (row)
- That you are never in a permanent state but always transitioning (temporary)
- A fickleness. You can go one direction to build/create or go the other direction to reduce/destroy (behavior)
- The idea that this theory is all inclusive and accounts for everything in existence (moving planet)
How’s that for a philosophical theory! Pretty daunting isn’t it? Let’s break it down further so we can get back to talking about the elements from a place we can see how to benefit from it.
Chinese Five Element Theory Phases and Cycles
Five Element Theory describes two cycles, one the builds up and one that reduces or breaks down. This is where the metaphor using the elements gives us a better understanding of this concept. For example:
Wood feeds fire – builds it up BUT Fire burns up wood – reduces it.
An example of what this looks like during the tai chi forms is focusing on the hand that is punching without considering the hand that is chambering. That results in overcommitment or poor balance. I also thought about this recently during a time of budget cutting. There was a goal of reducing expenses without initial thought to the loss in growth due to which programs would be underfunded. When the project was reframed to consider reducing less profitable projects so that more focus, time, personnel, and energy could be put to projects that were more interesting and had more potential, it was a success. The first attempt was a bit hasty and the equation was less+less. When we considered potential growth that correlated with the reductions, our path was clear and everyone was on board.
Phases of the Five Elements Theory
Taking all of the possible influences that objects, events, or processes can have on each other, there are five primary phases described in five elements theory.
| Phase | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Inter-regulating | Something stabilizes something else | Earthen walls direct water, fire reshapes metal |
| Over-acting | Something is overbearing (too much) | Earth dams up water, water puts our fire |
| Counter-acting | Something inhibits something else | Metal made dull by wood, wood rotted by earth |
| Inter-promoting | Something has a positive effect on something else | Fire produces fertile earth, water feeds wood |
| Weakening | Something destabilizes something else | Fire burns wood, water rusts metal |
This is most beautifully illustrated in images that show that transition from one element to the other. Basically, every element can interact with another element either supporting it or reducing it. Each element has one other element that it dominates or reduces and another one that it is fueled by. If you circle in one direction you are feeding the next element. If you are transitioning in the other direction, you are reducing the following element. The additional arrows across the center of the diagram indicate reduction or destruction.
Okay, that’s the basics and that’s all we need to understand in order to benefit from thinking about the five elements and applying it to other areas of our life. Here are the steps and questions that we can ask to identify how to improve a situation.
- We identify that we have a problem.
- What is causing the problem?
- Is something restricting or stopping the change from happening?
- Is there someone or something that we could add to or remove from the situation to make it better?
How to Apply the Five Element Theory to Your Personal Life
As you can guess, applying the Five Element Theory to the problems in your life can be complex and I feel is best left to the experts. There are a few great resources online like tests you can take and books you can read. The general idea still holds true though. Identify where you are or what you are not happy with and then work to reduce or increase the influences on the problem.
This is the part that makes Five Element Theory VERY different from Western though. We are not focusing on the problem only, we are researching what 1) is influencing the problem for better or worse, and 2) what the next stage will look like as you transition out of or away from your problem.
Five Elements Theory Chart
For starters, download or print this 5 Elements Chart for easy reference.
Five Elements Theory Personality Test
For things that are personal or even psychological, you have to first identify which elements or phases of the five elements theory you most relate to. There is a group that focuses exclusively on the relationship between this philosophy and psychology and emotions. They made a five elements theory personality test which has a short quiz to find out what your element is which is kind of fun.
Books on Five Element Theory
There are a handful of really good audiobooks and books on Five Element Theory online that make the topic interesting and learnable. Have a look at these:
The Five Elements: Understand Yourself and Enhance Your Relationships with the Wisdom of the World’s Oldest Personality Type System
| Book | Title | Price | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Designing the Mind: The Principles of Psychitecture | Read Reviews | |
 | Five Elements, Six Conditions: A Taoist Approach to Emotional Healing, Psychology, and Internal Alchemy | Read Reviews | |
 | The Way of the Five Elements: 52 Weeks of Powerful Acupoints for Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Health | Read Reviews | |
 | Five Element Theory : Book on Fundamentals of Five-Elements in TCM | Read Reviews | |
 | The Tao of Trauma: A Practitioner's Guide for Integrating Five Element Theory and Trauma Treatment | Read Reviews |
How is Five Elements Theory Used in Chinese Medicine?
A visit to a TCM doctor begins much the same as you would expect from any doctor. You wait! Then you explain your symptoms and undergo an evaluation. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, they can use the Five Element theory to guide our diagnosis.
Based on your complaints or symptoms, an organ is identified which is then tonified or depleted based on having too much or too little of the correct energy. This is typically accomplished through massage, qi gong, herbs, acupuncture, or suggestions for food. The goal is to bring everything back into harmony.
Let’s talk through an example:
Two primary forces (yin and yang) interact in the body. Most people would accept that if your body is out of balance, you are less strong, healthy, and mentally alert.
What does the Five Elements Theory do? It explains the relationship between the organs, the way energy gets to the organs (meridians), and how the energy (chi) primarily originates from the kidneys. In simple terms, each organ has a job and needs energy to perform that job. TCM is working to ensure that the right amount and type of energy is produced to sustain health.
Why is this chi energy largely associated with the kidneys? The kidneys are said to hold opposing fire and water energy. An imbalance here trickles down to affect other organs depending on the imbalance. In practical terms, the blood is filtered by the kidneys sending fresh blood back in and toxins out.
How does this relate to health? Most poor health conditions are due to something that an organ is not doing. For example, bronchitis can be attributed to weak lungs. Equally so, emotional difficulties are tied to organs and can lead to nervous system imbalances.
Tai Chi and Five Elements Theory
This finally leads us to talking about the relationship between tai chi and the ancient Chinese theory of five elements. The movements of tai chi are designed to restore balance to the body. So whatever imbalance you are experiencing or whatever you are prescribed, tai chi will move you in that direction.
How tai chi fits into five elements theory
Much of the meditation and concentration involves focusing on your belly where the energy reservoirs known as the dantien and mingmen are located. These directly nourish the nearby kidneys. The movements of taichi rotate and massage the center. These activities balance the kidneys. The kidneys then balance the rest of the system.
Some practitioners focus on strengthening a certain meridian and organ based on what season it is. This makes a lot of sense and is quite intriguing.
Tai Chi and Five Elements Theory
This finally leads us to talking about the relationship between tai chi and the ancient Chinese theory of five elements. The movements of tai chi are designed to restore balance to the body. So what ever imbalance you are experiencing or whatever you are prescribed, tai chi will move you in that direction.
How tai chi fits into five elements theory
Much of the meditation and concentration involves focusing on your belly where the dantien and mingmen are located. These directly nourish the nearby kidneys. The movements of taichi rotate and massage the center. These activities balance the kidneys. The kidneys then balance the rest of the system. (Tai chi is designed in-part to nourish and support the activity of the kidneys. 2500 years of research can’t be wrong I guess).
Some practitioners focus on strengthening a certain meridian and organ based on what season it is. This makes a lot of sense and is quite intriguing.
| Season | Element | Organ | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | Water | Kidneys,Bladder | Generate energy to other organs to stave off fatigue, coldness, and weight gain. |
| Spring | Wood | Liver,Gall Bladder | Increase strength and stamina for coming summer activity and processing of summer foods |
| Summer | Fire | Heart,Sm. Intestine | Stabilize blood flow, blood supply, clarity and process foods of summer. |
| Late Summer | Earth | Spleen,Stomach | Obtain energy from the activities and foods of harvest. |
| Fall | Metal | Lungs,Lg. Intestine | Strengthen the lungs before the winter months. |
Practitioners also link the directions of movements with the five elements to describe the 1) power that is supplied to the movement and to 2) identify which movements can be performed to alleviate health concerns.
| Earth | On Guard, Centering |
| Wood | Retreat |
| Gold | Advance |
| Fire | Move to the Right |
| Water | Move to the Left |
Don’t get overwhelmed by the technical aspects of five elements theory
Yes five elements theory is complex but take away the pieces that you understand and let the rest sink in over time. Know that when you practice and your movements improve, the direct impact on your health can be felt. We can learn and remain light-hearted. Here is a funny and perfect example to keep you grounded. Chinese Five Elements According to South Park
Chinese Five Element Theory PDF Examples from Real Life
I think it’s fascinating that once you understand the rough framework of five elements theory it gives you a structure to better understand and make change in what you care about. I wanted to end here with a couple examples to show you how others have used the ancient Chinese theory of five elements to improve something they deeply care about.
Five Element Theory PDF on Sustainability: Trying to make suggestions to improve the environment are difficult because several decisions or changes have to happen simultaneously to have an impact. In this five element theory pdf, two Swedish workers in the field of sustainability used this framework to identify five areas that needed to be acted upon at once to cause changes to the environment (Broman, G. I., Robert, K.., 2017).
Five Element Theory on Psychology (ad): This is kind of neat. Three Korean researchers used the this idea to frame out differences in personality with the hopes of creating a framework to understand a person’s emotions so that they can be helped counseled through difficult times (Wu, et al., 2024).
As always, tai chi is like a classroom where we learn something that benefits us. It is most powerful when we get to the level of seeing how what we learn from the tai chi form can positively influence our life.
Here is a great online course covering important tai chi concepts and theory:
Tai Chi Theory with Master Yang, Jwing-Ming
Master Yang reveals the secret to transforming your Taiji practice into your own personal art-form. He explains the development of the internal and external aspects and different styles of Taiji by taking us back to the root of this ancient art.
More on Eastern concepts and principles related to tai chi: If you were interested in 5 Elements Theory then you also need to learn about Yin Yang Theory because the two go hand-in-hand. I have also written about Chinese symbolism, the tai chi concept of Substantial-Unsubstantial, and the tai chi principle behind the number nine.