Primordial energies generate what are known to be the Five Elements, or Wu Xing. They are the force that gives life to all of existence. Xing means moving, process, change: the Five Elements are also called Five Phases, Five Transformations, Five Movements, Five Processes, Five Stages.
As energetic building blocks, Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water are fluid categories in continuous interaction and mutual generation. They are far from being static entities or just material qualities. Not to be understood merely as a physical substance, each of the Five Elements embodies distinct qualities and is home to a specific yet dynamic set of powers.
Because of their transformative nature, the Five Elements stand as a powerful analogy for how we live in this world and, most importantly, they represent the evolving relationships that connect non- living and living beings alike, matter and thought, emotion and meaning.
