The Five Elements of classical Chinese thought are Water, Earth, Metal, Wood and Fire. Within the framework of this concept, anything and everything can be assigned to a particular element. A given 'thing' need not physically be made of its particular element, although it can be, and it will display similarities with the root element.

"Five Elements" is actually means "the Five types of active Qi dominating at different times", water dominates in winter, wood in spring, fire in summer, metal in autumn, the transitional periods between seasons is dominated by earth.

The names "water", "wood", "fire", "metal" and "earth" are only substances whose properties resemble the respective Qi in the closest possible way. They do help us understand the properties of the five types of Qi but they also mislead us if we take everything in the literal sense. Here we list some of the properties, shapes and colors of the five types of active Qi as their names imply.

1. Water runs downwards, liberal. Wavy, black and dark blue.
2. Wood grows upwards, enduring. Rectangular, green.
3. Fire spreads in all directions, radiant and hot. Triangular, red, orange and purple.
4. Metal pierces inwards, sharp and pointing. Spherical, white, golden and silver.
5. Earth attracts and concentrates, stable. Cubical, brown and yellow.

According to ancient Chinese, these Five Elements are interactive, shape and stimulate our daily life. It is important to understand that there is a natural order in which leads to harmony, prosperity and happiness.

• The productive cycle : Water - Wood - Fire - Earth - Metal - Water.
• The destructive cycle : Wood - Water - Metal - Earth - Fire - Wood.

The productive sequence is as follows: Water nourishes plants and trees: producing Wood, Wood makes Fire which burnt into ashes to form Earth; Earth is the source of Metal. Metal can be condensed to water or can be melted into liquid i.e. `Water'. Therefore this process is known as the productive sequence. This is called The Cycle of Birth.

There is also a destructive sequence, which is the cause of bad events and calamities.

This is a result of an imbalance or a disturbance to the natural order. This is where: Water puts out Fire; Fire melts Metal; Metal breaks Wood; Wood (roots of plants) penetrates the Earth; and Earth is absorbed Water.

Obviously, this is not meant to be a literal science, it's a concept to enable us to explain the universe. Also remember that each element is subject to the Yin and Yang principle. That means that there are two forms of each element, for example there is Yin Fire and Yang Fire.

In some cases, Feng Shui experts will advice you to place a neutralizing element to avoid such harmful effects.