The unknown story of five elements?

The five elements refer to wood, fire, earth, gold and water. It is a kind of material view in ancient China, which is mostly used in philosophy, traditional Chinese medicine and divination. It first appeared in Taoism, aiming at describing the movement form and transformation relationship of things.

The word "Five Elements" first appeared in Shi Gan and Hong Fan in Shangshu. In Shi Gan, it means "Hu Shi threatens the five elements, neglects the three righteousness, and kills life with heaven." "Hong Fan" pointed out that "the overflow of muddy water gurgled out Chen Qi's five elements; The emperor was furious, but he didn't kill Hong Fan's nine domains ... Gun died, Yunis flourished, and the sky was the nine domains of Xi Yu Hongfan, and it was a reunion. Five elements: water, fire, wood, gold and earth. Water is moist, fire is inflamed, wood is straight, gold is skin, and soil is valley. Moisturizing is salty, inflammation is bitter, straight is sour, leather is spicy, and farming is sweet. " It puts forward the arrangement order of five substances, headed by water, and the properties and functions of the five substances, but it doesn't touch the records of "Five Elements" and "Five Emperors": "... there are five elements in the sky, fire, water and Jin Mu soil, which cultivate and form everything in time. Its god name is Five Emperors. " Characteristics of wood: sunrise in the east, similar to wood. The ancients called it "the wood is straight." "Straight" actually refers to the growth form of trees, which are straight branches that extend upward and around. Therefore, things with growth, rising and smooth functions or characteristics belong to wood.

Characteristics of fire: it is hot in the south, similar to fire. The ancients called it "adding fuel to the fire." "Shang Yan" means that fire has the characteristics of warmth and rising. So what is warm and uplifting belongs to fire.

Soil characteristics: the Central Plains is fertile and similar to soil. The ancients called it "soil and crops", which means that soil has the function of planting and harvesting crops. Therefore, things with biochemical and bearing functions belong to soil. Therefore, there is a saying that "soil carries four lines" and "soil is the mother of all things".

Characteristics of gold; The sun sets, like gold. The ancients called it "the golden jade is outside, and the defeat is among them." "From the skin" means "change". Everything that has cleanliness, depression and astringency belongs to gold.

Characteristics of water: it is cold in the north, similar to water. The ancients said, "Water is moist." It means that the water is wet and downward. Everything that is cold, moist and flowing downwards belongs to water.