What is the Earth Element? Which years are associated with it? What types exist? What colors suit the Earth Element? Which elements are compatible? What plants, paintings, or directions align with it? Let’s explore these questions with BTA Feng Shui right below!
=>> Note: This article was directly translated by Grok 3 from the Vietnamese article by BTA Feng Shui.
1. What is the Earth Element?
The Earth Element is the fifth component of the Five Elements: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth, symbolizing “earth.” At its best, Earth represents intelligence and fairness. At its worst, it brings obstacles, darkness, and unpredictability.
2. Types of Earth Element
According to Five Elements Feng Shui, each element has six sub-types (nạp âm). For the Earth Element, these six sub-types are:
- Đại Trạch Thổ (Great Marsh Earth): Fertile marshland soil, typically untouched by human influence.
- Sa Trung Thổ: Sandy soil often found along rivers or streams.
- Lộ Bàng Thổ: Roadside soil, a natural type mixed with pebbles or sand.
- Thành Đầu Thổ: Fortress wall soil, baked earth used for tall, durable walls.
- Ốc Thượng Thổ: Rooftop soil, like tiles shaped and refined by humans.
- Bích Thượng Thổ: Wall plaster soil, made from wet mud applied by humans.
Among these, the strongest Earth Element is Thành Đầu Thổ. Though Wood overcomes Earth, woody trees rarely harm fortress walls (e.g., the Great Wall of China, enduring for thousands of years).
2. Which Years Are Associated with the Earth Element?
People with the Earth Element are born in the years: 1960, 1961, 1968, 1969, 1976, 1977, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2006, 2007, 2020, 2021, 2028, 2029, 2036, 2037, 2050, 2051, etc. Details are as follows:
| Birth Years | Earth Element Sub-Type |
| Metal Rat 1960, 2020, 2080 Metal Ox 1961, 2021, 2081 |
Bích Thượng Thổ |
| Earth Monkey 1968, 2028 Earth Rooster 1969, 2029 |
Đại Trạch Thổ |
| Fire Dragon 1976, 2036 Fire Snake 1977, 2037 |
Sa Trung Thổ |
| Metal Horse 1990, 2050 Metal Goat 1991, 2051 |
Lộ Bàng Thổ |
| Earth Tiger 1998, 2058 Earth Cat 1999, 2059 |
Thành Đầu Thổ |
| Fire Dog 2006, 2066 Fire Pig 2007, 2067 |
Ốc Thượng Thổ |
3. Which Elements Are Compatible with the Earth Element?
3.1 Harmonious Elements
According to Five Elements Feng Shui, Earth Element individuals are most compatible with the Fire Element (Fire generates Earth), Earth Element, and Metal Element (Earth generates Metal).
- Fire Element: Symbolizing fire and heat, Fire burns everything into ash, enriching the soil. Pairing Earth with Fire brings luck, prosperity, and support for love, fame, and career growth.
- Earth Element: In Feng Shui, Earth Element individuals harmonize with each other. Like two soils combining, they enhance fertility and abundance.
- Metal Element: Representing metals or gemstones formed within the earth over millions of years. Earth paired with Metal brings luck and success, with Metal benefiting more.
3.2 Conflicting Elements
According to mutual destruction in the Five Elements, Earth Element individuals are incompatible with the Wood Element (Wood overcomes Earth) and Water Element (Earth overcomes Water). Specifically:
- Wood Element: Representing trees and natural growth, it depletes soil nutrients, leaving it barren and hard to cultivate. Earth Element individuals should avoid pairing with Wood to prevent unnecessary disputes and conflicts.
- Water Element: Symbolizing water or liquids, though Earth can overpower Water, this pairing is still inadvisable. The process drains Earth’s energy significantly and harms the Water Element.
4. Which Colors Suit the Earth Element?
Based on mutual generation in the Five Elements, Earth Element individuals are most compatible with generative colors from the Fire Element (Fire generates Earth): red, orange, pink, purple, etc., and harmonious with their inherent colors: earthy brown, earthy yellow, etc.
Colors of the Metal Element—white, gray, charcoal, silver, etc.—are considered neutral. They neither greatly benefit nor harm Earth Element individuals.
According to Feng Shui, Earth Element individuals should avoid colors of the Wood Element (Wood overcomes Earth): green, lime green, moss green, etc., and limit colors of the Water Element (Earth overcomes Water): sea blue, navy blue, sky blue, etc.
5. Personality and Life Path of Earth Element Individuals
Personality
Earth Element individuals are highly regarded for their humility and simplicity. They are rational, responsible, and work methodically. They excel at building relationships and often act as connectors in various situations. Their calm, tactful nature, combined with a desire for love and attention, makes them approachable.
However, they can become stubborn and monotonous. Their slow pace and lack of quick wit may lead to stagnation and limited innovation in life and work. They might also be indecisive, overly perfectionistic, and lack artistic sensitivity, impacting decision-making and creativity.
Understanding the Five Elements’ Generating & Controlling Cycles
Career (Which Jobs Suit the Earth Element?)
Earth Element individuals have many career options matching their personality and traits. Based on the Five Elements’ mutual generation and destruction principles, they are encouraged to pursue fire-related jobs like thermal engineering, solar energy work, pottery, ceramics, brick-making, or earth-related fields like real estate, construction, and stonework.
Specifically, Earth Element individuals can thrive in these fields:
- Real Estate Business: A top choice, including roles like sales, brokerage, construction, hotel project management, and civil engineering.
- Business Management: Their organizational skills and calm demeanor make them excellent leaders and managers.
- Ceramics and Cooking: Fire-related jobs like chef, potter, or hotel/restaurant owner suit them.
- Agriculture: Farming and livestock suit their preference for a stable, peaceful life.
- Oil, Gas, and Mineral Extraction: These low-communication roles align with their quiet, steady nature.
- Gemstone Business: Especially artistic stone crafting, which can bring success.
- Journalism: Some excel in media and TV due to their information-gathering and communication skills.
Love Life
The love life and marriage of Earth Element individuals reflect their unique traits.
- Women with the Earth Element: They value stability, loyalty, and devotion to their partners. They’re exceptional mothers and wives, nurturing their families.
- Men with the Earth Element: Kind, responsible, and family-oriented, but they may lack finesse in post-marriage family care, often relying heavily on their wives for household support.
In love, Earth Element individuals crave beautiful, sincere relationships. They express affection through emotion rather than appearance. After a breakup, they may take a long time to seek new connections.
Health
Earth Element individuals are generally considered healthy, with good eating habits and nutrient absorption. However, excessive fatty food intake can cause skin issues like acne, structural damage, or pitted scars.
They should also monitor their digestive and intestinal health, as these are vulnerable to Feng Shui influences. Regular checkups and care are essential for maintaining wellness.
6. Common Questions About the Earth Element
Which Plants and Flowers Suit the Earth Element?
Earth Element individuals should choose plants and flowers with red, pink, purple, orange, or yellow leaves or blooms. Specifically, compatible plants include:
- Orchid
- Gentleman’s Orchid
- Firecracker Flower
- Brown Stone Lotus
- Red Emperor Pothos
- Ornamental Dracaena
- Pineapple Flower
- Spotted Calathea
- Flamingo Flower
- Red Bud Ficus
- Poinsettia
- Small Flamingo Flower
- Yellow Hibiscus
- And more…
Which Numbers Suit the Earth Element?
In Five Elements Feng Shui, the Earth Element is compatible with numbers 2, 5, 8, and 9. Numbers 2, 5, and 8 represent the Earth Element, while 9 represents the Fire Element (Fire generates Earth).
Which Directions Suit the Earth Element?
In Feng Shui, each element has representative directions. Earth Element individuals suit South, Northeast, Southwest, and North, including:
- South: Represents the Fire Element, the best direction.
- Northeast and Southwest: Represent the Earth Element itself.
- North: Represents the Water Element (Earth overcomes Water), requiring careful consideration.
Note: Choosing directions for a house, door, bedroom, or desk is crucial in Feng Shui. Consult a Feng Shui expert for the most accurate guidance.
Which Tattoos Suit the Earth Element?
Earth Element individuals should choose tattoos related to the Fire and Earth Elements, such as earth, stones, pyramids, sun, phoenix, golden koi, sunflower, lotus, red rose, fire dragon, etc., in dominant colors like red, yellow, orange, purple, or pink.
What Names Suit Earth Element Children? (Vietnamese name)
| Boys’ Names for the Earth Element | Girls’ Names for the Earth Element |
| Phong, Hiện, Kiến, Văn, Nhâm, Hữu, Thăng, Lục, Doãn, Tâm, Cương, Luyện, Đĩnh, Thế, Tiền, Nghĩa, Điếu, Thiết, Chung, Khanh, Tích, Kính, Thắng, Nguyên, Vĩ, Lãm, Huân, Hiệp, Trần, Thiêu, Yên, Ly, Kim, Luyện, Nam, Chiếu, Nhiên, Tiết, Điểm, Cao, Lưu, Đoạn, Hùng, Cẩn, Kháng, Đăng, Quang, Huy, Sáng, Nhiệt, Minh, Nhật, Ngọ, Noãn, Huân, Lô, Thước, Dương, Thái, Đức, Thanh, Bội, Cẩm, Hoán. | Cẩm Anh, Diệu Anh, Đan Anh, Ngân Anh, Minh Anh, Tú Anh, Tâm Anh, Ái Châu, Diễm Châu, Hồng Châu, Kim Châu, Mai Châu, Minh Châu, Trân Châu, Diệp Chi, Bích Diệp, Hoài Diệp, Huyền Diệp, Khánh Diệp, Thiên Diệp, Trúc Diệp, Cát Hạ, Nhật Hạ, Cúc Hạ, Mai Hạ, Bảo Hân, Gia Hân, Kiều Hân, Tuệ Hân, Vân Hân, Ánh Ngọc, Bảo Ngọc, Hoài Ngọc, Tuệ Ngọc, Vân Ngọc. |
Can Earth Element Individuals Keep Fish?
Despite the conflict with the Water Element (Earth overcomes Water), Earth Element individuals can still keep fish to balance energy and attract luck and prosperity:
- Number of fish: 5 or 10
- Fish types: Betta, Parrot Fish, Catfish, Golden Dragon, Discus, Flowerhorn, etc.
- Tank direction: Northeast or Southwest
- Other pets: Dogs, Turtles, Hedgehogs, Snakes, etc.
Which Stones Suit the Earth Element?
Feng Shui stones compatible with the Earth Element include Ruby, Garnet, Amethyst, Yellow Quartz, Coral, Yellow-Brown Tiger’s Eye, Citrine, Smoky Quartz, etc.
Which Paintings Suit the Earth Element?
Earth Element individuals suit paintings such as:
- Fire Element themes: Eight Horses Success, Peony, Koi Fish, Sunrise, Golden Dragon, Phoenix, etc.
- Earth Element themes: Countryside Scenes, Great Wall, Mountain Landscapes, etc.
These insights from BTA Feng Shui cover what the Earth Element is, which colors and elements suit it, and other related questions. We hope this information has been helpful. Don’t forget to share and rate it 5 stars if you found it useful!
