In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), emphasis is placed on the “Five Elements, Five Qi, Five Organs, Five Flavors, and Five Colors,” which are interrelated and mutually supportive, existing in a relationship of generation and restriction. The harmony of the Five Elements directly affects the functioning of the body; any excess or deficiency in any aspect can lead to corresponding physical symptoms. Therefore, understanding the state of the Five Elements in the body is a necessary condition for maintaining health.
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The Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon) discusses the relationship between the Five Elements and the Five Organs in Chapter Four of the Golden Chamber:
Five Elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water
Five Organs: Liver, Heart, Spleen, Lung, Kidney
East corresponds to the color green, associated with the liver, opening to the eyes, and storing essence in the liver.
South corresponds to the color red, associated with the heart, opening to the ears, and storing essence in the heart.
Center corresponds to the color yellow, associated with the spleen, opening to the mouth, and storing essence in the spleen.
West corresponds to the color white, associated with the lung, opening to the nose, and storing essence in the lung.
North corresponds to the color black, associated with the kidney, opening to the two yin, and storing essence in the kidney.
The generation and restriction of the Five Elements is a concept within the theory of the Five Elements. This theory, created by the ancient Chinese, views the five material elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth as the foundation for the composition of all things in the universe and the changes of various natural phenomena. The development and changes of all things and phenomena in the universe are the results of the continuous movement and interaction of these five materials with different properties.
Five Elements and Five Flavors, Five Colors
This correspondence is used in TCM to guide dietary therapy and treatment methods. The following is a specific correspondence table: Sour flavor corresponds to Wood, associated with the liver.
Sour foods such as plums and pomegranates can enhance digestive function and protect the liver.
Bitter flavor corresponds to Fire, associated with the heart.
Bitter foods such as bitter herbs and bitter melon can drain fire, eliminate dampness, and promote diuresis.
Sweet flavor corresponds to Earth, associated with the spleen.
Sweet foods can nourish Qi and blood, replenish energy, and relieve fatigue.
Pungent flavor corresponds to Metal, associated with the lung.
Pungent foods help to disperse and clear, such as scallions and ginger.
Salty flavor corresponds to Water, associated with the kidney.
Salty foods such as seafood and legumes can moisten and descend.
This correspondence of the Five Flavors with the Five Elements and Five Organs in TCM not only reflects the holistic and dialectical view of TCM theory but also provides a theoretical basis for dietary health in TCM.
By reasonably combining the Five Flavors, one can achieve the goal of harmonizing the Five Organs and maintaining health.
The theory of the Five Elements is an ancient Chinese philosophical thought, based on the ancient Daoist theory, reflecting the ancient Chinese idea of the unity of heaven and humanity.
The ancients believed that all things in the universe are composed of these five basic elements—wood, fire, earth, metal, and water—through mutual growth and mutual restriction, forming a dynamic balance system.
The ancients had a profound understanding of natural laws, and people’s lifestyles would change with the transformation of the climate and environment, arising from the way of heaven and earth.
As products of nature, humans, in essence, resonate with various information from the natural world. Acknowledging and respecting this connection is the premise and foundation of human existence, and understanding natural laws and following the rhythm of heaven and earth is the highest truth of life science.
