Associations of Each Element

In addition to shapes and colors, each of the five phases is also correlated with specific seasons, directions, conditions and numbers.

Phase Season Direction(s) Condition Number(s)
Fire Summer South Heat 9
Earth In-between seasons Center, Northeast, Southwest Wet 2, 5, 8
Metal Autumn West, Northwest Dry 6, 7
Water Winter North Cold 1
Wood Spring East, Southeast Windy 3, 4

Interaction between the Five Phases

The five phases interact with one another in a number of ways known as cycles. There are three cycles: Productive, Controlling and Weakening.