The Eastern theory of the Five Elements (mainly derived from ancient Chinese philosophy) is a core theoretical framework for the dynamic balance and interrelationship of all things in the universe. Its core points can be summarized as follows:

1. Basic Elements: The Five Elements refer to the five basic substances or energy states of wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. They not only represent specific natural substances (such as trees, flames, soil, metals, and running water), but also symbolize the five basic properties, functions, movement trends, or stages of change in the universe.
2. Core Relationship: The interaction between the Five Elements follows two basic laws: Mutualism: One element promotes, breeds, and fuels another element, forming a cycle: Wood makes fire: Wood burns to produce fire. Fire-generated earth: The ashes after fire burn turn into earth. Earth-generated gold: The soil contains metallic minerals. Gold-generated water: Metal melts into a liquid state (or condensation on the surface of the metal, observed by the ancients). Aquatic wood: Water nourishes the growth of trees. Mutual resistance/victory: One element inhibits, restrains, and restrains another element, forming another cycle: Wood-clay: The root system of a tree can break through and fix the soil. Earth-resistant water: Soil can absorb and block the flow of water (such as dykes). Water-resistant fire: Water can pour out fire. Fire-resistant gold: Fire can melt metal. Jinkemu: Metal tools (such as axes) can cut down trees.
3. Integrity and Connectivity: The Five Elements Theory holds that all things in the universe (including natural phenomena, seasons, directions, colors, sounds, human organs, emotions, social affairs, etc.) can be classified into these five elements. For example: Seasons: Spring (wood), Summer (fire), Long Summer (earth), Autumn (gold), Winter (water). Directions: East (wood), South (fire), Middle (earth), West (gold), North (water). Human Organs: Liver (wood), Heart (fire), Spleen (soil), Lung (gold), Kidney (water). Emotions: Anger (wood), Joy (fire), Thoughts (earth), Sadness (gold), Fear (water). This categorization is not arbitrary, but based on the similarity of properties and functions between them.
4. Dynamic Balance: The core of the Five Elements doctrine emphasizes balance and harmony. Symbiosis and mutual restraint are two opposing forces that maintain the dynamic balance of the universe and living systems. Without birth, there is no occurrence and growth of things; without grams, normal coordination cannot be maintained, which can lead to excessive development and imbalance. The ideal state of health (whether in nature, the human body, or society) is an orderly generation of grams among the five elements, and the strength is relatively balanced. Imbalance (too strong or too weak in one line) can lead to problems and diseases.
5. Application field: Traditional Chinese Medicine: It is one of the core pillars of the theory of traditional Chinese medicine. It is used to explain the physiological structure of the human body, pathological changes, diagnose diseases (such as zang-fu syndrome differentiation), guide treatment (such as compatibility of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture and moxibustion acupoints selection) and health preservation (reconciling yin and yang and five elements). Feng Shui: Analyze the energy field ("Qi") of the environment (terrain, orientation, building layout), and use the principle of five elements to select and create a place that is harmonious and conducive to the fortune and health of the occupants. Numerology (such as eight characters): Analyze the strength and weakness of the five elements corresponding to the time of birth of an individual, infer the trend of personality and destiny, and seek Other fields: ancient politics, military strategy, music, artistic creation, etc., also often use the Five Elements theory to seek harmony and laws.

The essence of the core idea:

The Five Elements theory provides a model for understanding the complexity, relatedness, dynamic change of the world and the pursuit of internal balance. It believes that all things do not exist in isolation, but in a large system of interdependence, mutual restriction, and continuous transformation. Understanding and conforming to the law of the Five Elements is the key to achieving harmony between man, nature, society, and his own body and mind.

In short, the Five Elements Theory is a philosophical theory system in ancient China that summarizes all things in the world into five basic attributes (wood, fire, earth, gold and water), and explains the laws of the universe, the changes in the connection of things, and the pursuit of system harmony and balance through the specific mutual relationship between them. It has particularly profoundly influenced traditional Chinese medicine, feng shui and other traditional cultural practices.