Five Elements and Six Energies
Our bodies are like tiny universes.
Six Energies
Our bodies have the same energies as the big world around us: wind, cold, heat, dampness, dryness, and fire. These energies affect our health.
Five Elements
The five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water) are important in traditional Asian medicine. They are in both the universe and our bodies. The movement of each element happens in the body as in the universe.
Each element is associated with a specific organ
Elements are also linked to seasons, colors, emotions, and other things.
| Element | Organ | Season | Color | Emotion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood | Liver | Spring | Green | Anger |
| Fire | Heart | Summer | Red | Joy |
| Earth | Spleen | Late summer | Yellow | Worry |
| Metal | Lung | Autumn | White | Sadness |
| Water | Kidney | Winter | Black | Fear |
The five elements should be balanced.
If one element is too strong or too weak, it can cause health problems. For example:
Too much wood can lead to liver problems like anger.
Too little fire can lead to heart problems like depression.
Korean acupuncture uses the five elements and six energies to help people.
By touching specific points on the body, practitioners can balance the elements and make people feel better.
