Chapter 30: The Five Elements
Apart from Yin and Yang, Anji learned about the Five Elements from the Doctrine of the Mean. However, she had no idea they were also used in fengshui, martial arts and medicine until she saw Doctor He’s notes.
The five elements—wood, fire, earth, metal, and water—were not mere creations, but the very fabric of the world’s inception. Each element possessed a distinct set of properties, and their relationships were a complex dance of support and opposition, a spectacle that boggled Anji’s mind.
Each represented by a colour, Anji noticed how they were also represented by seasons, even if there were only four seasons to match five elements. Interestingly enough, a small footnote mentioned that a patient’s personality could also be subjected to the five elements. Palmistry was more of a fortune-telling trick used by street scammers to make a living. However, the concept was created by the I-ching book the Eight Trigram Palms were created from.
"This is amazing," Anji breathed. "How did the creator of the Eight Trigram Palms manage to think of it?"
Though there were five main elements, with Metal added later and Air removed, the I-Ching introduced eight elements, both tangible and intangible. Its principles are derived from cultivation practices and locations where qi could be harnessed. Unlike the Five Elements, the Eight Trigrams emphasised a balance of Yin and Yang, resulting in sixty-four possible combinations of Heaven, Earth, Thunder, Wind, Water, Fire, Mountain, and Lake.
Not wanting to confuse herself, Anji focused on mastering the Five Elemental Circle first, a complex system in itself. Doctor He’s notes described the intricate relationships of nurturing and restricting among the elements, a delicate balance that prevented rapid growth or decay while ensuring stability.
Grabbing her charcoal pencil and a fresh sheet of paper, Anji began to write. Starting with the element of Wood that symbolised growth and adaptability, Anji likened it to a young tree, bending with the wind but never breaking.
Doctor He explained how the liver and gallbladder were considered to have a ’woody’ nature. Anji found it fascinating how the organs responsible for detoxifying the body and processing alcohol could be influenced by the element of Wood. It made sense, in a way. Just as a tree filters the air, the liver cleanses the body. However, these organs could be harmed by anger, much like a tree could be damaged by a storm.
Pausing for a moment to reflect on this connection, Anji flipped to a different page of the messy notes to better understand how emotions could have such a profound impact on the body. Anger, like a fierce wind, could disturb the balance of Wood within. Anji had seen this firsthand, noticing how people who were often angry seemed to suffer more from ailments. There is a reason why old people should not get angry often. They were more prone to having heart attacks.
Retrieving a new sheet of paper, Anji moved on to the next element: fire. Fire was fascinating. It could be strengthened by using Wood as fuel to grow. It was fierce and active, capable of both destruction and comfort.
Wise men said that fire was a good servant but a horrible master. On a cold winter’s night, fire was a gift to help warm the room, cook food and provide light in the darkness. Yet, uncontrolled flames could burn down houses.
In her notes, Anji drew parallels to the human body. The heart was represented by the element of Fire. It controlled the blood flow, pumping life through the veins. Joy, the emotion most connected to Fire, could be both a blessing and a curse. Too much excitement or happiness could strain the heart, just as an overactive fire could blaze out of control. Anji noted how people with an overly active mind often suffer from insomnia.