Component | Characteristics |
---|---|
Earth |
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Water |
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Fire |
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Wind |
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Color bodies are composed of the four elements, with varying proportions of each element giving rise to different material properties.
The earth element, for instance, is associated with solidity, while the water element is associated with fluidity. The fire element is related to warmth, and the wind element is linked to movement.


These four elements are not mutually exclusive, but rather coexist within different parts of the body, forming muscles, bones, internal organs, and even the skin.
Component | Function |
---|---|
Earth | bones, skin |
Water | internal organs, fluids |
Fire | body temperature |
Wind | respiration, digestion |
In addition to the four elements, the concept of emptiness is also implied in the analysis of color bodies. This emptiness refers to the fact that matter is not solid or permanent, but rather exists in a state of flux and impermanence.
The proportion of emptiness within a substance determines its density and structure. A high proportion of emptiness results in a substance that is porous and light, while a low proportion of emptiness results in a substance that is dense and heavy.
Bones, for example, have a relatively low proportion of emptiness, which makes them strong and durable. Fat, on the other hand, has a relatively high proportion of emptiness, which makes it soft and pliable.
The notion that all matter is composed of the four elements and emptiness is a fundamental concept in Buddhist philosophy. It highlights the interconnectedness of all things and the impermanence of all that exists.
地水火風空:五行與自然界的調和
五行學説是中國古代的一種哲學體系,認為宇宙萬物都由「地水火風空」五種基本元素組成。這五種類型相互作用和平衡,形成宇宙的動態和諧。
元素特徵
元素 | 特徵 |
---|---|
地 | 穩定、堅實、厚重 |
水 | 柔軟、流動、滋潤 |
火 | 熱情、活躍、明亮 |
風 | 輕盈、飄逸、穿透 |
空 | 空虛、靈動、包容 |
元素之間的關係
五行元素之間存在著相生相剋的關係:
- 相生:木生火、火生土、土生金、金生水、水生木
- 相剋:木克土、土克水、水克火、火克金、金克木
這種相生相剋的關係確保宇宙中的五種元素維持平衡,達到陰陽調和。
元素對人體的影響
五行學説也應用於中醫,認為人體由五臟六腑組成,而每一臟腑都對應不同的五行元素:
- 肝:木
- 心:火
- 脾:土
- 肺:金
- 腎:水
身體的健康取決於這五種類型的平衡。如果某一元素失調,就會導致相應臟腑的疾病。例如:
- 肝氣鬱結:木元素受剋
- 心火旺盛:火元素過旺
- 脾虛濕盛:土元素受損
- 肺氣不足:金元素受剋
- 腎水不足:水元素受損
調和五行的方法
要達到五行調和,可以通過以下方法: