![]() ![]() 'Phase' is a better translation for the five 'seasons' (五運 wŭ yùn) mentioned below, and so 'agents' or 'processes' might be preferred for the primary term xíng. It should be recognized that the word 'phase', although commonly preferred, is not perfect. Evolution of language in this way is not without precedent. The word 'element' is thus used within the context of Chinese medicine with a different meaning to its usual meaning. Whereas the classical Greek elements were concerned with substances or natural qualities, the Chinese xíng are "primarily concerned with process and change," hence the common translation as "phases" or "agents." By the same token, Mù is thought of as "Tree" rather than "Wood". This translation arose by false analogy with the Western system of the four elements. "Wu Xing" is often translated as Five Elements and this is used extensively by many including practitioners of Five Element acupuncture. In the order of "mutual overcoming" (xiāngkè 相克), they are Wood, Earth, Water, Fire, and Metal. ![]() This order of presentation is known as the "mutual generation" (xiāngshēng 相生) sequence. The "Five Phases" are Wood (木 mù), Fire (火 huǒ), Earth (土 tǔ), Metal (金 jīn), and Water (水 shuǐ). ![]()
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