What is the Five Elements Theory? Why is it sorted by fire, water and soil in Jin Mu?

The theory of five elements originated in China during the Warring States Period. At that time, the ancients used these symbols to represent the energy of some substances, and illustrated some interrelationships and some laws of movement and change through some vivid pictures and texts. In the theory of five elements, it is believed that everything is composed of five basic substances of Jin Mu: fire, water and earth. With the constant change of these five elements, it will naturally change. He believes that everything in the universe is constantly circulating and being cut off in constant change.

In this theory, Jin Mu's fire, water and earth not only represent these five kinds of substances, but also classify everything in the universe into these five kinds. The relationship between the five elements is first of all mutual resistance and remorse, and there are also some relationships between them. The ancients deduced the internal operation law of all things in the universe through the relationship of these five substances. The appearance of the five elements theory had a particularly far-reaching impact on the world outlook, understanding of ancient philosophy and other lifestyles of ancient China people.

In ancient times, people applied the theory of five elements to some medical fields, explained some physiological phenomena through the relationship of mutual growth and mutual resistance, and then inferred some operating mechanisms of human body in treating and preventing diseases.

There is no clear record to explain why the five elements are sorted according to Jin Mu's fire, water and earth. Perhaps the ancients at that time randomly sorted the five elements when they invented this theory.

The theory of five elements is also used in divination. In fortune telling, we can judge by the things corresponding to a person's date of birth, and then infer what this person's life belongs to, and we can also calculate what this person lacks in his life, that is, what the five elements lack. Then, when naming this person, we will add the same things that this person lacks. Besides these, the judgment of season and orientation can also be explained and inferred by the theory of five elements. In fact, his ranking is problematic.