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