What are the Five Elements’ Generating and Controlling Cycles? How are they applied in daily life? Let’s explore this with BTA Feng Shui in the article below!
Overview of the Five Elements
The Five Elements consist of five components – Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth – that form the objective world. These elements interact with each other, fostering growth and prosperity, but also suppression or control.
The Generating Cycle
The principle of the Generating Cycle (coexistence and mutual support) is a natural law that creates balance and sustains life in all things. This cycle isn’t just about promotion and assistance—it reflects a deep connection between the Five Elements.
The relationships in the Generating Cycle include:
- Metal generates Water: Melting metal (Metal) at high temperatures produces a liquid solution (Water).
- Water generates Wood: Water sustains life and helps trees (Wood) absorb nutrients easily.
- Wood generates Fire: Burning plants (Wood) creates flames (Fire).
- Fire generates Earth: After burning (Fire), everything turns to ash, enriching the soil (Earth).
- Earth generates Metal: Metal ores (Metal) form within the earth (Earth).
In the Generating Cycle, no element exists in isolation; each is interconnected and interacts with others. In other words, everything—from plants to metals—depends on this relationship to exist and thrive.
The Controlling Cycle
The Controlling Cycle represents the suppressive, obstructive relationships between elements, the opposite of the Generating Cycle.
The law of the Controlling Cycle includes two main dynamics: what controls it and what it controls. Each relationship reflects a process of suppression, maintaining balance and preventing excess:
- Metal overcomes Wood: Metal is forged into tools to cut down trees.
- Wood overcomes Earth: Trees absorb water and nutrients from the soil, leaving it barren.
- Earth overcomes Water: Earth can block or alter water’s flow.
- Water overcomes Fire: Water extinguishes fire.
- Fire overcomes Metal: Fire melts metal.
Feng Shui emphasizes that the Generating and Controlling Cycles always coexist. Generation without control could lead to excessive growth with negative consequences. Conversely, control without generation would prevent life from flourishing.
The Generating and Controlling Cycles in the 12 Zodiac Signs
In the context of the Generating Cycle among the 12 zodiac signs, there’s the concept of “Tam Hợp” (Tam means three, Hợp means harmony), referring to the compatibility of three zodiac signs. These signs have complementary elements that benefit each other. Specifically:
- Fire Trio: Tiger, Horse, Dog (all yin) – Independent Group. Starts with Tiger (Wood), moves to Horse (Fire), and ends with Dog (Earth).
- Wood Trio: Pig, Rabbit (Cat), Goat (all yang) – Diplomatic Group. Begins with Pig (Water), shifts to Cat (Wood), and concludes with Goat (Earth).
- Water Trio: Monkey, Rat, Dragon (all yin) – Persistent Group. Starts with Monkey (Metal), progresses to Rat (Water), and ends with Dragon (Earth).
- Metal Trio: Snake, Rooster, Ox (all yang) – Intellectual Group. Begins with Snake (Fire), continues to Rooster (Metal), and finishes with Ox (Earth).
The law of the Generating and Controlling Cycles also identifies opposing groups with entirely conflicting traits, known as “Tứ Hành Xung” (Four Clashing Elements). These are:
- Tiger – Monkey – Snake – Pig
- Dragon – Dog – Ox – Goat
- Rat – Horse – Cat – Rooster
=>> Learn more: Compatibility – Clashes – Harms – Conflicts of Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches
Applications of the Generating and Controlling Cycles
Applications of the Generating Cycle
The Generating Cycle in the Five Elements carries positive meaning, bringing luck and prosperity when applied correctly. In this article, BTA Feng Shui introduces some basic applications, as follows:
| Generating Cycle | Application |
| Metal generates Water | Benefits Water Element individuals: – Best to marry or partner with Metal Element individuals. – Water Element individuals suit colors and Feng Shui items representing Metal. |
| Water generates Wood | Benefits Wood Element individuals: – Wood Element individuals should pair with Water Element individuals. – They should choose colors, directions, and Feng Shui items representing Water. |
| Wood generates Fire | Benefits Fire Element individuals: – Pairing with Wood Element individuals brings luck and prosperity. – Fire Element individuals benefit from Feng Shui items, colors, and numbers tied to Wood. |
| Fire generates Earth | Benefits Earth Element individuals: – Best to marry or do business with Fire Element individuals. – Earth Element individuals should prioritize Feng Shui items, colors, numbers, and directions tied to Fire. |
| Earth generates Metal | Benefits Metal Element individuals: – Best to marry or partner with Earth Element individuals. – Metal Element individuals suit colors, Feng Shui items, numbers, and directions representing Earth. |
Applications of the Controlling Cycle
With the Controlling Cycle, avoid elements that clash with your inherent element, as they can bring misfortune and negativity. Details are as follows:
| Controlling Cycle | Application |
| Metal overcomes Wood | Harmful to Wood Element individuals: – Avoid marrying or partnering with Metal Element individuals. – Limit use of colors, directions, numbers, and Feng Shui items representing Metal. |
| Wood overcomes Earth | Harmful to Earth Element individuals: – Avoid marrying or doing business with Wood Element individuals. – Avoid colors, numbers, directions, and Feng Shui items representing Wood. |
| Earth overcomes Water | Harmful to Water Element individuals: – Avoid marrying or partnering with Earth Element individuals. – Avoid colors, directions, numbers, and Feng Shui items representing Earth. |
| Water overcomes Fire | Harmful to Fire Element individuals: – Avoid marrying or partnering with Water Element individuals. – Avoid colors, Feng Shui items, numbers, and directions representing Water. |
| Fire overcomes Metal | Harmful to Metal Element individuals: – Avoid marrying or partnering with Fire Element individuals. – Avoid directions, colors, Feng Shui items, and numbers representing Fire. |
These insights from BTA Feng Shui cover the Five Elements’ Generating and Controlling Cycles and their applications. We hope this article has provided valuable information. Please rate it 5 stars and share if you found it helpful!
=>> Read more:
- What are Five Elements Mutual Counteraction and Overcontrol? (Reverse Generation and Reverse Destruction)
- Applications of the Five Elements Theory in Daily Life
- What are the Five Elements? Characteristics and Laws of the Five Elements
