The 5 Elements or 5 Phases in Chinese Medicine
![Chinese Character for Fire](/images/tcm/char_fire.gif)
The Fire Element
Sequence: Fire Generates Earth, Controls Metal, and Insults Water
Zang Fu: Heart (Yin) and Small Intestine (Yang)
Shang Shu: That which blazes upward is bitter
![Chinese Character for Earth](/images/tcm/char_earth.gif)
The Earth Element
Earth Generates Metal, Controls Water, and Insults Wood
Zang Fu: Spleen (Yin) and Stomach (Yang)
Shang Shu: That which permits sowing and reaping is sweet
![Chinese Character for Metal](/images/tcm/char_metal.gif)
The Metal Element
Metal Generates Water, Controls Wood, and Insults Fire
Zang Fu: Lung (Yin) and Large Intestine (Yang)
Shang Shu: That which can be molded and become hard is pungent
![Chinese Character for Water](/images/tcm/char_water.gif)
The Water Element
Water Generates Wood, Controls Fire, and Insults Earth
Zang Fu: Kidneys (Yin) and Urinary Bladder (Yang)
Shang Shu: That which soaks and descends is salty.
![Chinese Character for Wood](/images/tcm/char_wood.gif)
The Wood Element
Wood Generates Fire, Controls Earth, and Insults Metal
Zang Fu: Liver (Yin) and Gall Bladder (Yang)
Shang Shu: That which can be bent and straightened is sour