THE FIVE ELEMENTS
An important aspect of Feng Shui is known as the Five Element Theory. Each of us has an element that is important to us, although we are all made up of all five. These dominant elements change with the years and are Yin or Yang.
In which year were you born? What is the last number? If you were born in a year ending 0 you are Yang Metal; 1 Yin Metal; 2 Yang Water; 3 Yin Water; 4 Yang Wood; 5 Yin Wood; 6 Yang Fire; 7 Yin Fire; 8 Yang Earth; 9 Yin Earth.
Yang types like dark, cooler environments, while Yin types prefer light, more spacious accommodation. This is because we are always seeking the harmony of the other. Because Yang is light it seeks the dark, because Yin is dark, it seeks the light.
The 5 Elements can be summarised as follows:
FIRE The Adventurer loves excitement and change, hates to be bored, and should avoid heat. Triangular shapes, the colours of fire, especially red.
WATERThe Thinker loves knowledge and intellectual pursuits, hates to be vulnerable and should avoid the cold. Wavy, irregular shapes and the colour blue.
WOODThe Explorer loves to be busy and purposeful, hates to lose and should avoid windy places. Green colours and long rectangular shapes.
METALThe Catalyst, loves to be precise and controlling, hates disorder and clutter and should avoid dryness. The colours of metal, gold, silver and white and dome or oval shapes.
EARTHThe Diplomat loves people and to be of use,
hates being ignored and should avoid
damp places.
The colours of earth, especially brown
and square shapes.