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{{short description|Fourth of five elements of the Wuxing}}
{{short description|Fourth of five elements of the Wuxing}}
{{Redirect|Metal (element)|other|metal (disambiguation)}}
{{classic element}}
{{classic element}}


In [[Chinese philosophy]], '''metal''' or '''gold''' ({{zh|c=金|p=jīn}}), In the [[Wuxing (Chinese philosophy)|Wu Xing]], it is the return or the declining stage. In [[Traditional Chinese medicine|Traditional Chinese Medicine]] Metal is yang within [[yin and yang|yin]] in character, its motion is going inwards and its energy is contracting. It is associated with the west, dusk, [[autumn]], fall and old age, loss and grief. It governs the Yin, Zang organ the Lung and the Yang, Fu organ colon, nose and skin, body hair, pungent smell, the planet [[Venus]], the color white, dry weather, and the [[White Tiger (mythology)|White Tiger]] (Bai Hu) in [[Four Symbols]]. The [[archetypal]] [[metal]]s are [[silver]] or [[gold]].
In [[Chinese philosophy]], '''metal''' or '''gold''' ({{zh|c=金|p=jīn}}), the fourth phase of [[Wuxing (Chinese philosophy)|Wu Xing]], is the decline of the matter, or the matter's decline stage.<ref>{{cite AV media
|title = 千古中医之张仲景
|publisher = [[Lecture Room]], CCTV-10}}</ref> In [[Traditional Chinese medicine|Traditional Chinese Medicine]] Metal is [[yin and yang|yin]] in character, its motion is inwards and its energy is contracting. It is associated with the west, [[autumn]], it governs the Yin, Zang organ the Lung and the Yang, Fu organ colon, nose and skin, old age, the planet [[Saturn]], the colour white, dry weather, and the [[White Tiger (mythology)|White Tiger]] (Bai Hu) in [[Four Symbols]]. The [[archetypal]] [[metal]]s are [[silver]] or [[gold]].


== Attributes ==
== Attributes ==


In Chinese [[Taoism|Taoist]] thought, ''Metal'' attributes are considered to be firmness, rigidity, persistence, strength, and determination. The metal person is controlling, ambitious, forceful, and set in their ways as metal is very strong. They are self-reliant and prefer to handle their problems alone. The metal person is also wise, 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. The well-balanced metal person is patient, as well as a good person with a strong will.
In Chinese [[Taoism|Taoist]] and Traditional Chinese medical theory and thought, ''Metal'' attributes are considered to be firmness, rigidity, focus, integrity, and quality. The metal person when excessive is controlling, cutoff and arrogant, set in their ways as metal can become very rigid. They are self-reliant and resilient and prefer to handle their problems alone. The metal person is also intelligent, business-oriented, and good at organization and stability. However, the metal person can also appreciate luxury and enjoy the good things in life. The metal person has strong impulses and generative powers that they can use to change and transform those who come into contact with them, just like metal can conduct electricity. The well-balanced metal person is calm, humble and honest as well as a good person with a focused mind.


In [[traditional Chinese medicine]], metal governs the [[Lung (Chinese medicine)|lung]] and the [[Large intestine (Chinese medicine)|large intestine]], nose and skin. The negative emotion associated with metal is grief, while the positive emotion is courage. Many sources aimed at a Western audience equate Metal with the attributes of the element [[Air (classical element)|Air]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/Chinese_Customs/five_elements.htm|title=Five Elements Chinese Customs|author=Valeska Gehrmann|work=nationsonline.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.holisticwebworks.com/traditional_chinese_medicine/yin_and_yang_and_the_five_element_theory.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=2016-03-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123113552/http://holisticwebworks.com/traditional_chinese_medicine/yin_and_yang_and_the_five_element_theory.html |archive-date=2010-11-23 }}</ref>
In [[traditional Chinese medicine]], metal governs the [[Lung (Chinese medicine)|lungs]], [[Large intestine (Chinese medicine)|large intestine]], nose, and skin. The [[negative affectivity|negative emotion]] associated with metal is grief and lack of self worth, while the positive emotions and qualities are reverence, righteousness, self worth, empathy and [[altruism]]. It is associated with the soul or the [[Hun and po|Po]] (魄), the physical form of the body and identity.


== Astrology ==
== Astrology ==
In [[Chinese astrology]], metal 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 [[Sexagenary cycle|60-year cycle]]. [[Yin and yang|Yang]] metal years end in 0 (e.g. 1980), while [[Yin and yang|Yin]] years end in 1 (e.g. 1981). Metal governs the [[Chinese zodiac]] signs [[Monkey (zodiac)|Monkey]]
In [[Chinese astrology]], metal 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 [[Sexagenary cycle|60-year cycle]]. [[Yin and yang|Yang]] metal years end in 0 (e.g. 1980), while [[Yin and yang|Yin]] years end in 1 (e.g. 1981). Metal governs the [[Chinese zodiac]] signs [[Monkey (zodiac)|Monkey]]
and [[Rooster (zodiac)|Rooster]]. 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.<ref>Wolfram Eberhard, ''A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols'', pp238-9, Routledge and Kegan Paul, London, 1986</ref> However, some Western astrologers have suggested associating metal with the planet [[planets in astrology#Classical planets|Saturn]] instead, on the grounds that the associations of metal are closer to its Western astrological conception. Others argue for the association with Venus on the grounds that metal shares many of the attributes of the element air. Many argue for the association with Saturn on the grounds that metal shares many of the attributes of the element air, which is linked to Saturn in Vedic astrology.<ref>http://astrobix.com/content/7-qualities-of-saturn.aspx</ref><ref>[[Planets in astrology]]</ref>
and [[Rooster (zodiac)|Rooster]]. 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.<ref>Wolfram Eberhard, ''A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols'', pp238-9, Routledge and Kegan Paul, London, 1986</ref>


== Cycle of Wu Xing ==
== Cycle of Wu Xing ==


In the regenerative cycle of the Wu Xing, [[Earth (wuxing)|earth]] engenders Metal as "all metal has to be extracted from the earth in which it resides"; Metal begets [[Water (wuxing)|water]] as metal traps falling water from a source.
In the regenerative cycle of the Wu Xing, [[Earth (wuxing)|earth]] engenders Metal as "all metal has to be extracted from the earth in which it resides"; Metal begets [[Water (wuxing)|water]] as from the mountain tops flowed the water from the source.


In the conquest cycle, [[Fire (wuxing)|fire]] overcomes metal as it "can only be melted and forged" by flame or heat; Metal overcomes [[Wood (wuxing)|wood]] as the metal axe is able to topple the tallest tree.<ref>Theodora Lau, ''The Handbook of Chinese Astrology'', pp. xxix – xxx, Souvenir Press, London, 2005</ref>
In the conquest cycle, [[Fire (wuxing)|fire]] overcomes metal as love melts the coldest heart or "can only be melted and forged" by flame or heat; Metal adds minerals to wood for it to grow healthy and straight or overcomes [[Wood (wuxing)|wood]] as the metal axe is able to topple the tallest tree.<ref>Theodora Lau, ''The Handbook of Chinese Astrology'', pp. xxix – xxx, Souvenir Press, London, 2005</ref>


However, the Cycle of Wu Xing also states that excessive volumes of wood may defeat small volumes of metal, as an axe would be broken or dull after trying to chop down a forest.
However, the Cycle of Wu Xing also states that excessive volumes of wood may defeat small volumes of metal, Wood by excessively wanting to grow undermines its integrity and becomes a weed and not a tree or as an axe would be broken or dulled after trying to chop down a forest.

==Sources==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20150426054849/http://www.compassionatedragon.com/astrometal.html Chinese Astrology – The Metal Element]


== References ==
== References ==
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{{Wu Xing}}
{{Wu Xing}}

[[Category:Wuxing (Chinese philosophy)]]

Latest revision as of 10:07, 25 August 2024

In Chinese philosophy, metal or gold (Chinese: ; pinyin: jīn), In the Wu Xing, it is the return or the declining stage. In Traditional Chinese Medicine Metal is yang within yin in character, its motion is going inwards and its energy is contracting. It is associated with the west, dusk, autumn, fall and old age, loss and grief. It governs the Yin, Zang organ the Lung and the Yang, Fu organ colon, nose and skin, body hair, pungent smell, the planet Venus, the color white, dry weather, and the White Tiger (Bai Hu) in Four Symbols. The archetypal metals are silver or gold.

Attributes

[edit]

In Chinese Taoist and Traditional Chinese medical theory and thought, Metal attributes are considered to be firmness, rigidity, focus, integrity, and quality. The metal person when excessive is controlling, cutoff and arrogant, set in their ways as metal can become very rigid. They are self-reliant and resilient and prefer to handle their problems alone. The metal person is also intelligent, business-oriented, and good at organization and stability. However, the metal person can also appreciate luxury and enjoy the good things in life. The metal person has strong impulses and generative powers that they can use to change and transform those who come into contact with them, just like metal can conduct electricity. The well-balanced metal person is calm, humble and honest as well as a good person with a focused mind.

In traditional Chinese medicine, metal governs the lungs, large intestine, nose, and skin. The negative emotion associated with metal is grief and lack of self worth, while the positive emotions and qualities are reverence, righteousness, self worth, empathy and altruism. It is associated with the soul or the Po (魄), the physical form of the body and identity.

Astrology

[edit]

In Chinese astrology, metal 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 metal years end in 0 (e.g. 1980), while Yin years end in 1 (e.g. 1981). Metal governs the Chinese zodiac signs Monkey and Rooster. 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]

Cycle of Wu Xing

[edit]

In the regenerative cycle of the Wu Xing, earth engenders Metal as "all metal has to be extracted from the earth in which it resides"; Metal begets water as from the mountain tops flowed the water from the source.

In the conquest cycle, fire overcomes metal as love melts the coldest heart or "can only be melted and forged" by flame or heat; Metal adds minerals to wood for it to grow healthy and straight or overcomes wood as the metal axe is able to topple the tallest tree.[2]

However, the Cycle of Wu Xing also states that excessive volumes of wood may defeat small volumes of metal, Wood by excessively wanting to grow undermines its integrity and becomes a weed and not a tree or as an axe would be broken or dulled after trying to chop down a forest.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Wolfram Eberhard, A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols, pp238-9, Routledge and Kegan Paul, London, 1986
  2. ^ Theodora Lau, The Handbook of Chinese Astrology, pp. xxix – xxx, Souvenir Press, London, 2005