Wu Xing or the theory of 5 movements of 5 phases defines the following elements of nature:

Wood, Fire, Earth, Gold and Water.

Each of the has it's own properties. In physiognomy, astrology and other spiritual studies every person is said to belong to one of these types. This means he or she has the attributes and properties of this type. Of course some people have mixed properties of different type or they can change through life – everyone is individual and changing. The main properties of 5 elements are following:

WOOD means growth, development, softness.

FIRE means heat, light, moving up.

EARTH is nutritive, neutral, accepting

GOLD is pure, strong, moving down.

WATER is cold, changing, moving down.

Here are the nature phenomenons corresponding to each element: