Metal (classical element)



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Classical Elements
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.

Greek

  Air  
Water Aether Fire
  Earth  

.

Bön

  Air  
Water Space Fire
  Earth  

.

Buddhism (Mahābhūta)

Earth
Water
Air / Wind
Fire
Aether .

Japanese (Godai)
Earth (地)
Water (水)
Air / Wind (風)
Fire (火)
Void / Sky / Heaven (空) .

Neo-paganism
Water
Wind
Fire
Life Force / Electricity
Earth
Light
Dark
.

Chinese (Wu Xing)

  Water (水)  
Metal (金) Earth (土) Wood (木)
  Fire (火)  

In traditional Chinese philosophy, Metal is classified as one of the Chinese alchemy, music, military strategy and martial arts. The original foundation for the idea is based on the concept of the Five Cardinal Points.

Metal is yin or feminine in character, its motion is inwards and its energy is contracting. It is associated with the west and autumn, old age, the planet Venus and the color white. The archetypal gold. Its Primal Spirit is represented by a White Tiger.


Attributes

The qualities associated with metal are unyieldingness, rigidity, persistence, strength and determination. The metal person is controlling, ambitious, forceful and set in their ways as metal is very strong; and they are self-reliant and prefer to handle their problems alone. The metal person is also materialistic, business oriented and good at organization and stability. However the metal person can also appreciate luxury and enjoy the good things in life. Just as metal can conduct electricity, the Metal person has strong impulses and generative powers and can bring about changes and transformations for those who come into contact with them. Metal is believed to govern the lungs, nose and skin. The negative emotion associated with metal is grief, while the positive emotion is courage.


Astrology

In Chinese astrology metal is included in the 10 60 year cycle. Yang metal years end in 0 (eg 1990), while Yin years end in 1 (eg 1991). Metal governs the Chinese zodiac signs Monkey, Rooster and Dog.

In Chinese astrology the planet Venus is associated with metal, because it is white in color (the chinese color of death), and rises in the west as the evening star. [1] However, some Western astrologers have stated that the associations of metal are closer to the Western conception of the planet Earth; just as the planet Saturn rules the Air sign Aquarius and the Earth sign Capricorn.

Cycle of elements

In the control cycle metal is controlled by fire, as only fire can melt it; and in turn metal controls wood, as only the metal ax can cut down trees. In the conducive cycle, metal produces water (or liquid), either by trapping or holding it in a container, or by being melted into a liquid. In turn metal is produced by the earth, as it has to be dug out of the ground. [2]

References

  1. ^ Wolfram Eberhard, A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols, pp238-9, Routledge and Kegan Paul, London, 1986
  2. ^ Theodora Lau, The Handbook of Chinese Astrology, ppxxix - xxx, Souvenir Press, London, 2005
  • Chinese Astrology - The Metal Element
 
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