Fire (Wu Xing)
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In Chinese philosophy, fire (Chinese: 火; pinyin: huǒ) is the second phase of Wu Xing.
Fire is yang in character. Its motion is expanding and its energy is fermenting, ripening and convective.[1]
Fire is associated with Summer, the South and the planet Mars, the color red (associated with extreme luck), hot weather, daylight, and the Vermilion Bird (Zhu Que) in the Four Symbols.
There is debate based on the logic of fire, summer and the south as to whether feng shui should be changed for the southern hemisphere [2]
Attributes
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fire is associated with the Emperor or Sovereignty therefore is concerned when in balance with Virtue, kindness, and compassion. Its attributes are considered to be dynamism, spontaneity, and enlightening; however, it is also connected to restlessness when out of balance. The fire element provides warmth, enthusiasm, and creativity; however when in excess or deficiency it can bring cold or hot behavior and emotions including, hatred, impatience, and impulsive behaviour. In the same way, fire provides heat and warmth; however, an excess can also burn too bright leading to dehydration, listlessness, and exhaustion. is the prosper of the matter, or the matter's prosperity stage.[3]
Fire is associated with negative emotions of hate and desire and the positive emotion is joy, optimism and proprietary
The organs associated with the Fire element are the Triple Heater, Heart and by extension the cardiovascular system (yin) and small intestine (yang), tongue and a body's pulse. It is associated with the Spirit of the Shen (神).
Astrology
The element plays an important role in Chinese astrology and feng shui. Fire 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 Fire years end in 6 (e.g. 1976). (Yang years end in an even number.)
Yin Fire years end in 7 (e.g. 1977). (Yin years end in an odd number.)
Fire governs the Chinese zodiac signs Snake and Horse.[4]
Flying Star Feng Shui uses number 9 to represent Fire. The current 20-year cycle from 2024-2044 (Period 9) is governed by star 9 fire.
The South corner releases energy of Fire as I Ching and Feng Shui states. It is generally referred as energy of destroying and rebuilding.
Fire/red traditionally symbolizes happiness, relating to a lucky love life, which is why Chinese brides traditionally wear red.
Cycles of Wu Xing
In the regenerative cycle of Wu Xing, wood engenders Fire as "fire is generated by rubbing together two pieces of wood" and it must be fueled by burning wood; Fire begets earth as "fire reduces everything to ashes, which become a part of the earth again".
In the restraining or in excess also called the conquest cycle,the Wisdom of water helps to give a base to the Heart fire so as to not burn out by overreacting or overreaching in daily life as "nothing will put out a fire as quickly as water's drive for self preservation."; Fire regulates metals excess tendency to be cut of,cold and aloof from people and life, when fire is in excess it overcomes metal's ability to have form and structure by affecting it's integrity, The metals ability to be stay straight and true becomes compromised. as it "can be melted and forged" by flame or heat.[5]
References
- ^ Franglen, Nora (2013). The Handbook of Five Element Practice. Jessica Kingsley Publishers. ISBN 9780857011459.
- ^ Brunner, Jodi. "Defusing the North-South Issue (Feng Shui)". Academia.com. Academia.com.
- ^ 千古中医之张仲景. Lecture Room, CCTV-10.
- ^ findyourfate.com
- ^ Theodora Lau, The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes, pxxix-xxx, Souvenir Press, London, 2005