五行 (wǔxíng): the Five Phases (Chinese philosophy)

Meanings

1 the Five Phases (Chinese philosophy)
2 the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, earth

Characters

五

Examples

中医理论以阴阳五行为基础。

Zhōngyī lǐlùn yǐ yīnyáng wǔxíng wéi jīchǔ.

Traditional Chinese medicine theory is based on yin-yang and the five phases.

他给孩子起名时考虑了五行。

Tā gěi háizi qǐmíng shí kǎolǜle wǔxíng.

He considered the five elements when naming his child.

Tips

culture

五行 (金木水火土) are not static 'elements' like in Greek thought but dynamic phases in cycles of generation (木生火) and restraint (水克火). They underpin TCM organ theory, fengshui, and Bazi (八字) fortune-telling.

history

Codified in the Warring States period, notably in 《尚书·洪范》. The doctrine was used to explain dynastic succession — each dynasty claimed to rule under one of the phases.