Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms, Volume 8

Page 24

Master Kong says that the timing of the Five Elements Wuxing (五行): Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. is like that of the Four Seasons. It is said that by harmonizing with and following the timing of the Five Elements, all tasks and labors will be successfully completed.

The Liyun original: "禮運"; the "Transmissions of Rites," a chapter in the Book of Rites. says that the Five Elements are sown throughout the Four Seasons. Generally, the Four Seasons represent "Energy" Qi (氣), while the Five Elements represent "Phenomena" Xiang (象); the visible manifestations or forms of that energy.

The Four Seasons are each divided into 92 days and 25/80ths The OCR reads 92, though mathematically 91 days and 25/80ths (91.3125) is required to equal a solar year of 365.25 days when multiplied by four, as noted on the previous page. to constitute the standard duration of one season. Within this, the Five Elements are assigned:

• Wood is paired with Spring,
• Fire is paired with Summer,
• Metal is paired with Autumn,
• Water is paired with Winter.

As for Earth, it flourishes for a portion of all four seasons, specifically for eighteen days and a fraction at the end of each season.

Hu Dan A Song Dynasty scholar says: "On Earth, the Five Elements exist as physical substances; in Heaven, they exist as Time." Because we follow their timing and manage them accordingly:

• In Mid-Spring Zhongchun (仲春); the second month of the lunar spring, we cut "Yang wood" wood from the sunny side of a mountain or hardy timber.
• In Mid-Summer, we cut "Yin wood" wood from the shaded side or softer timber.
  This is how we manage the timing of Wood.

In the final month of Spring, we bring out the fires, and in the final month of Autumn, we store the fires; this is how we manage the timing of Fire.

The Minister of Works Sikong (司空); an ancient official responsible for land management and waterworks inspects the slopes and wetlands to manage the timing of Earth.

In Autumn, we repair the embankments, and in Spring, we clear the canals; this is how we manage the timing of Water.

Furthermore, the "Virtue" of Spring resides in Wood; thus, distributing charity and bestowing favors follows the timing of Wood. The remaining elements and seasons follow this same logic.