To discuss the interactions of generating and overcoming, we must first start with the “Five Elements Theory”.
In ancient China, people recognized through long-term life and production that wood, fire, earth, metal, and water are the essential basic substances that constitute the world. They believed that all things in the universe arise, develop, move, and change as a result of these five categories of material properties. Within the Five Elements, there exists a relationship of generating (相生) and overcoming (相克), which maintains a dynamic balance through continuous interactions.
The wise ancients applied the Five Elements Theory to the field of medicine to explain the organic connections within the human body and the unity between the body and the external environment. This way of thinking permeates all aspects of TCM theory, becoming an important component.
Through analogy and deduction, it is concluded that the liver belongs to wood, the heart to fire, the spleen to earth, the lungs to metal, and the kidneys to water.
What does generating (相生) mean?
Generating refers to the orderly relationship of mutual support, growth, and promotion among the Five Elements. As shown in the diagram: the arrows indicate the order of generating. Any element has both “generates me” and “I generate” relationships. The one that generates is the mother, and the one that is generated is the child. For example, in the case of fire, wood generates fire, and fire generates earth, so the liver is the mother of the heart, and the spleen is the child of the heart.
What does overcoming (相克) mean?
Overcoming refers to the relationship of mutual restriction, suppression, and overcoming among the Five Elements. As shown in the diagram: the arrows indicate the order of overcoming. Any element has both “I overcome” and “I am overcome” relationships. The one that overcomes is the victor, and the one that is overcome is the defeated. For example, in the case of fire, water overcomes fire, and fire overcomes metal, so the kidneys overcome the heart, and the heart overcomes the lungs.
The Relationship of Generating and Overcoming
Generating and overcoming are inseparable normal dynamics; without generating or overcoming, it is impossible to maintain a normal coordinated relationship. The balance of generating and overcoming among the five organs is essential for ensuring the health of the body!
