Gravity and the 5 Phase-elements
- Michelle Yan
- Apr 11
- 1 min read
Updated: May 27

What is the impact of Gravity on the 5-phase elements in Chinese Medicine? How do we conceptualize the physical force of Gravity with our understanding of the 5-phase elements from a classical Chinese medicine perspective?
Below are my initial musings -
Wood is the phase element that denotes upward-moving, "springtime" phase, where a physical element; like the tender stem of a growing plant, pushes upwards through the soil to reach sunlight. Wood pushes against gravity.
Fire as a phase element, like a flame, burns upwards. Fire express going against gravity.
Earth as a phase element is stable, solid and centering. Gravity is expressed as a centering force. The Earth element also "floats" in space, like how the planet Earth is "suspended" in space.
Metal as a phase element expresses a downward and pulling-in force.
Water as a phase element seem to express gravity without inhibitions. It flows down to the lowest point.