In Chinese Medicine, the Five Elements represent the five unique energies that are present in all things throughout nature. These include Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth. Each element expresses itself differently depending on where it’s found and also manifests in our body organs, emotions, and personalities.

When Qi is moving through our body freely, the Five Elements are said to be in balance, as Qi needs to be moving constantly for optimum health. But imbalances between the Five Elements and their corresponding energetic channels (meridians) can cause the Qi to either stagnate, or become excessive, affecting our wellbeing.*

Everything relies on everything else in the cosmos in order to manifest—whether a star, a cloud, a flower, a tree, or you and me.~Thich Nhat Hanh

metal

If there was no earth there would be no metal. If there was no metal this photograph would not be.

fire

If there was no wood there would be no fire. If there were no fires there would be no prairie, savanna, chaparral and coniferous forests.

wood

If there was no earth there would be no wood. If there was no wood there would be no carpenters.

water

If there were no hydrogen atoms and oxygen atoms there would be no water. If there was no water there would be no fish.

earth

Without the Milky Way there would be on earth. Without our earth there would be no us.

This week Sofia (photographs) invites photographers to focus on one of the elements…and to try to get as many in one photo as possible…

*cited: poweryogaaco.com