Second of five elements of Wuxing
In
Chinese philosophy
,
fire
(
Chinese
:
火
;
pinyin
:
hu?
) is the second phase of
Wu Xing
.
Fire is
yang
in character. Its motion is expanding and its energy is fermenting, ripening and convective.
[1]
Fire is associated with
Summer
, the
South
and the planet
Mars
, the color
red
(associated with extreme luck), hot weather, daylight, and the
Vermilion Bird
(Zhu Que) in the
Four Symbols
.
There is debate based on the logic of fire, summer and the south as to whether
feng shui
should be changed for the southern hemisphere
[2]
Attributes
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]
In
Traditional Chinese Medicine
,
Fire
is associated with the Emperor or Sovereignty therefore is concerned when in balance with Virtue, kindness, and compassion. Its attributes are considered to be dynamism, spontaneity, and enlightening; however, it is also connected to restlessness when out of balance. The fire element provides warmth, enthusiasm, and creativity; however when in excess or deficiency it can bring cold or hot behavior and emotions including, hatred, impatience, and impulsive behaviour. In the same way, fire provides heat and warmth; however, an excess can also burn too bright leading to dehydration, listlessness, and exhaustion. is the prosper of the matter, or the matter's prosperity stage.
[3]
Fire is associated with
negative emotions
of hate and desire and the positive emotion is joy, optimism and proprietary
The
organs
associated with the Fire element are the
Triple Heater
,
Heart
and by extension the cardiovascular system (
yin
) and small intestine (
yang
), tongue and a body's pulse. It is associated with the Spirit of the
Shen
(神).
Astrology
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]
The element plays an important role in
Chinese astrology
and
feng shui
. Fire is included in the 10
heavenly stems
(the five elements in their
yin and yang
forms), which combine with the 12
Earthly Branches
(or Chinese signs of the
zodiac
), to form the
60 year cycle
.
Yang Fire years end in 6 (e.g. 1976).
(Yang years end in an even number.)
Yin Fire years end in 7 (e.g. 1977).
(Yin years end in an odd number.)
Fire governs the
Chinese zodiac
signs
Snake
and
Horse
.
[4]
Flying Star Feng Shui
uses number 9 to represent Fire. The current 20-year cycle from 2024-2044 (Period 9) is governed by star 9 fire.
The South corner releases energy of Fire as
I Ching
and
Feng Shui
states. It is generally referred as energy of destroying and rebuilding.
Fire/red traditionally symbolizes happiness, relating to a lucky love life, which is why
Chinese brides
traditionally wear red.
Cycles of Wu Xing
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In the regenerative cycle of Wu Xing,
wood
engenders Fire as "fire is generated by rubbing together two pieces of wood" and it must be fueled by burning wood; Fire begets
earth
as "fire reduces everything to ashes, which become a part of the earth again".
In the restraining or in excess also called the conquest cycle,the Wisdom of
water
helps to give a base to the Heart fire so as to not burn out by overreacting or overreaching in daily life as "nothing will put out a fire as quickly as
water's
drive for self preservation.";
Fire
regulates metals excess tendency to be cut of,cold and aloof from people and life, when fire is in excess it overcomes
metal's
ability to have form and structure by affecting it's integrity, The metals ability to be stay straight and true becomes compromised. as it "can be melted and forged" by flame or heat.
[5]
References
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]