Man lives in nature. The natural environment, such as weather changes and geographic conditions, greatly influences his physiological activities. This fact is manifest in man’s dependence on the environment, but also in his adaptability to the environment. This is known as correspondence between man and nature. Proceeding from this recognition, traditional Chinese medicine comprehensively connects the physiology and pathology of the zang-fu organs and tissues with many important natural environmental factors. These factors are classified into five categories on the basis of the five elements. Similes and allegories are used to explain the complicated links between physiology and pathology as well as the correlation between man and the natural environment. The following table shows the five categories of things classified according to the five elements.
Promoting here implies promoting growth. The order of promoting is that wood promotes fire, fire promotes earth, earth promotes metal, metal promotes water, and water in turn promotes wood. In this inter-promoting relation of the five elements, each is in the position of “being promoted” and of “promoting”, the promoting element being thought of as the “mother” and the promoted element as the “son”, forming what is known as the “mother-son” relationship. Wood for example is promoted by water, which is the “mother” of the wood, while fire is the “son” of the wood, being promoted by wood.
Acting here connotes bringing under control or restraint. In the inter-acting relation of the five elements, the order is that wood acts on earth, earth acts on water, water acts on fire, fire acts on metal, and metal in turn acts on wood. In this relationship, each of the five elements occupies the position of “being acted on” and “acting on”. Wood for example is acted upon by metal, while it acts on earth.
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