Five Elements (Wǔ Xíng)

Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water. Each Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch belongs to one of these phases, and the derivation of a birth chart is largely based on their two relationships:

• Generating Cycle: Wood → Fire → Earth → Metal → Water → Wood
• Overcoming Cycle: Wood overcomes Earth, Earth overcomes Water, Water overcomes Fire, Fire overcomes Metal, Metal overcomes Wood

The Ten Gods, Companion and Opposing Groups, and the Monthly Influence's Five States (Prosperous, Robust, Resting, Imprisoned, Dead) are all derived from these two relationships; there is no third rule.

⚠️ Wu Xing are not five substances, but five relational positions. The same Wu Xing plays a completely different role in different charts.