Five Elements

The five elements have been part of Chinese culture almost from the beginning. Much of Chinese philosophy is built around the belief in the five elements and their abilities to interact with and create relationships between natural phenomena.

How to know your element?

If you were born in the years with the latest number is :

0 to 1 : Metal
(1950-1951, 1960-1961, 1970-1971, 1980-1981)

Feelings which conduct electricity, likes power.
Person born in the years controlled by the metal element will be as rigid and resolute in expression as their particular signs will permit. They are guided by strong feelings and will pursue their objectives with intensity and little hesitation. Sustained by their ambitions, they are capable of prolonged effort to get what they want. They are very sources-oriented and unwavering in their determination.
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.

2 to 3 : Water
(1952-1953, 1962-1963, 1972-1973, 1982-1983)

Silent and constant; influences other's thoughts.
Person born in a year dominated by the water element have a better than average ability to communicate and to advance their ideas by influencing the thoughts of others. Other peoples minds are their vessels and help carry their creative ideas into positive action. They are basically ruled by sympathetic vibrations and convey their feelings and emotions to the best degree that their native animal sign will permit.
Water personalities tend to be emotional, kind, nurturing, sympathetic, empathetic and intuitive; however, they can also be needy, sentimental, over-sensitive and irrational.

4 to 5 : Wood
(1954-1955, 1964-1965, 1974-1975, 1984, 1985)

Value ethics; cooperative and generous nature.
People born under the auspices of the wood element value their ethics, they have high morals and a good deal of self-confidence. They know the intrinsic value of things and their interest are wide and varied. Their expansive and cooperative natures will allow them to do things on a grand scale. They posses executive personalities because they can apportion separate matters into the right categories and work orders. Their progressiveness and generosity enable them to take on large projects, long-term or sizable developments or expensive scientific studies (not one - man ventures).
In Chinese thought, wood attributes are considered to be strength and flexibility, as with bamboo. It is also associated with qualities of warmth, generosity, co-operation, and idealism. The wood person will be expansive, outgoing, and socially conscious. The wood element is one that seek s always to grow and expand. Wood heralds the beginning of life , springtime and buds, sensuality and fecundity. Wood needs moisture to thrive.

6 to 7 : Fire
(1955-1956, 1965-1966, 1975-1976, 1985-1986)

Attractive and impulsive, strong leadership qualities.
People born in a year ruled by the fire element will display above average qualities of leadership, they are decisive and sure of themselves. They have the maximum capacity allowed by their particular sign to motivate people and bring ideas into fruition because they will be more aggressive and positives than other natives of their particular sign. Loving adventure and innovation, they will tend to take on bright new ideas readily and try to dominate others with their creativeness and originality. They do not fear risks and like to keep on the move and to explore new horizons.
Fire personalities are believed to have good leading qualities, and also tend to be extroverted, rebellious, passionate and enthusiastic; however, they can also be moody, hot-tempered, snappy, uncontrollable and angry.

8 to 9 : Earth
(1958-1959, 1968-1969, 1978-1979, 1988-1989)

Deductive powers, prefers solid and reliable pursuit.
People born under signs influenced by the earth element are more concerned with functional and practical aspirations. They have excellent deductive powers and like solid and reliable pursuits on which to expend their energy. With their foresight and capacity for organization, they are effective planners and administrators. They will put whatever resources they find to optimum use and are wise and prudent in financial affairs as well as holding on to their own money. They are intelligent and most objective in directing others toward realizing well-plotted goals.
Earth personalities tend to be calm, practical, pragmatic, responsible and cautious; however they can also be stubborn, intolerable, and inflexible.