Chinese Medicine Gem

When it comes to mutual generation of five phases, there are different versions of interpretation in different Chinese medicine genres.

However the bottom line is that the interpretation can not mislead others by their false understanding. Or it would certainly make us a butt of jokes in the eyes of the world!

A popular interpretation about mutual generation of five phases

The following interpretation about mutual generation of five phases is evidence.

One popular saying goes like:

“The relationship of mutual generation of Five Phases is as follows:
Wood generates fire, fire generates earth, earth generates metal, metal generates water, and water generates wood.

But how the relation of mutual generation of Five Phases is established?
That is very easy to understand.

Drilling in wood can make fire, thus wood generates fire;

What would they turn into after the combustible material such as wood and paper were burned?
Of course, they would turn into ashes or dust, thus fire generates earth;

Where do metals such as gold, silver, copper and iron come from?
Of course, they come from the metal ores underground, thus earth generates metal.

And what would the metal turn into if it is melted down?
Of course, it turns into watery liquid, thus metal generates water.

What is the most indispensable substance for the growth of the trees?
Of course, it is the nourishment of water, thus water generates wood

Look, the relationship of mutual generation of Five Phases is as clear as that! “

Ha! ha! Such interpretation about the relationship of mutual generation of Five Phases can be really misleading!

My view about the relationship of mutual generation of Five Phases

In fact, the Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners introduce the Five Phases theory into TCM to explain the body’s physiology, pathology and treatment methods, which comes from the observation of climate changes in the natural world, namely looking into the sky phenomena.

Chinese medicine views human body as an organic whole, which works closely with the natural world. Chinese medicine theory think that man is an integral part of nature and the body’s physiological and pathological changes respond to the climate changes in the natural world.

The Five Phases of wood, fire, earth, metal and water are corresponding to the five seasons in nature of spring, summer, long summer, autumn and winter, the five Zang viscera of liver, heart, spleen, lung and kidney.

The relationship of mutual generation of Five Phases, as a matter of fact, refers to the rule of seasonal climate changes in the year: Spring—Summer—Long summer—Autumn—Winter—Spring.

And the chart is as follows:

• Five Phases: Wood—Fire—Earth—Metal—Water—Wood
• Five Zang viscera: Liver—Heart—Spleen—Lung—Kidney—Liver
• Five Seasons: Spring—Summer—Long summer—Autumn—Winter—Spring.

That is it.

Your insights about the relationship of mutual generation of Five Phases?

Actually the relationship of mutual generation of Five Phases has been well documented in the book of “Huang Di Nei Jing” (Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor).

It is by no means the interpretation like a fire by drilling in wood, wood turning into ashes after burning, metal into water, or watering woods.

And your insights about the relationship of mutual generation of Five Phases are appreciated.

Hopefully you could participate in the discussion to correct me if I am wrong.