Wu Xing Philosophy & 60-Year Jiazi Cycle
The Five Elements in Chinese Zodiac: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal & Water
How the 60-year Jiazi cycle combines 10 Heavenly Stems with 12 Earthly Branches.
Wood (木, Mù)
Compassionate, expansive, creative, idealistic, and growth-oriented.
Season: SpringDirection: East
Fire (火, Huǒ)
Dynamic, passionate, decisive, charismatic, and courageous.
Season: SummerDirection: South
Earth (土, Tǔ)
Stable, patient, practical, nurturing, and trustworthy.
Season: Late Summer (Seasonal Transitions)Direction: Center
Metal (金, Jīn)
Disciplined, strong-willed, principled, focused, and resilient.
Season: AutumnDirection: West
Water (水, Shuǐ)
Wise, intuitive, adaptable, observant, and reflective.
Season: WinterDirection: North
The Generating and Controlling Cycles
The Generating Cycle (Xiāngshēng / 相生)
Wood feeds Fire; Fire creates Earth (ash); Earth bears Metal; Metal enriches Water; Water nourishes Wood.
The Controlling Cycle (Xiāngkè / 相克)
Wood parts Earth; Earth dams Water; Water extinguishes Fire; Fire melts Metal; Metal chops Wood.
Explore the complete 112-year elemental combinations
View every year from 1924 to 2035 with its exact element and stem.