Five phase theory and its use in medicine

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INTRODUCTION

 

The Traditional Chinese Medical (TCM) law of Yin-Yang is the UNIVERSAL LAW of mutual control by mutual antagonism and dependence of all things. (See the papers on Holistic concepts of health and disease and on Traditional versus modern AP). The interplay of Yin-Yang is an endless cycle of action and interaction.
 

The concept of cycles is fundamental to TCM. Nothing is static. Nothing is absolute. Everything is dependent on (relative to) everything else. All things must CHANGE. The Five Phase Cycle is another fundamental concept of TCM. In essence, everything and every concept in creation is a manifestation of Qi (energy). Qi has attributes or characteristics of one or more of five basic types, and can transform from one Phase to another. The types or Phases are called: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, Wood. For instance, suppose you are sitting in your armchair, looking into a fire and meditating on the nature (or type) of Fire. You might see it as primarily heat and light (energy-giving). However, the same fire once was (and still contains an element (Phase) of) living organic material (Wood, peat, coal, methane). As it burns, it produces (and contains an element of) ash (Earth) and mineral residue (Metal) and the hydrogen in most burning fuels is oxidised to Water. Thus Fire also contains aspects (elements, Phases) of the other Phases (Wood, Earth, Metal and Water). In turn, earth and minerals, when fed by Water can produce a new tree (Wood). Thus, all the basic components Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood are needed for (inherent in) every other Phase.

 

Each Phase has typical characteristics or Correspondences. Each has also its Yang and Yin aspects. The Phases create (engender, nourish, help) one another and destroy (control, restrain, dominate) one another in a ceaseless, dynamic cycle, the dance and rhythm of life and death.

 

In TCM, the Two Phase (Yin-Yang) and Five Phase Cycles are universal Laws. They are the source and manifestation of evolving creation and destruction in all its aspects. They apply to every aspect of life and politics, art, music, science, philosophy, sociology and medicine. They are primitive (yet ultra-sophisticated) concepts of the balance and inter-dependence of all things. If one Phase becomes imbalanced (too strong or too weak), the whole cycle is upset and disharmony can arise in other Phases and their Correspondences. Restoration of balance depends on recognition of which Phases are upset and the redistribution of Qi between them so as to restore harmony, if this is possible.

 

The Five Phase Cycle has two major components, the Sheng Cycle (Mother nourishing Son) and the Ko Cycle (Grandmother restraining Grandson). The Sheng is anabolic, creative, nourishing, feeding. The Ko is catabolic, destructive, weakening, controlling.

 

Sheng Cycle: Things of a Fire nature promote (create or nourish) things of an Earth nature, which promote or create things of a Metal nature etc. The Cycle is Fire -> Earth -> Metal -> Water -> Wood -> Fire.

 

Sheng mnemonic: To remember the Sheng Cycle, visualise a gardener Watering a seed. The seed grows into a tree. The tree is cut down for fireWood. The Fire produces ashes which could be further refined to produce Metal. The sequence is Water -> Wood -> Fire -> Earth -> Metal -> Water. Because a cycle has no beginning and no end, it is not important which Phase is put at the top of the diagram, but it is usual to put Fire on top because (as will be seen later) four COSs are associated with Fire and the top position is the most aesthetic, as will be seen when the COSs are added to the diagram.

 

In this Cycle, things of Fire are Mothers of things of Earth (which are Sons of Fire). In turn, things of Earth are Mothers of things of Metal (which are Sons of Earth).

 

Another Mother and Son concept was discussed elsewhere in relation to the Diurnal Qi Cycle (daily Qi tide) from: LU -> LI -> ST -> SP -> HT -> SI -> BL -> KI -> PC -> TH -> GB -> LV -> LU. In the Qi Cycle, LU is the Qi Mother of LI and BL is the Qi Son of SI etc.

 

The following diagram shows the relationships between the Phases in the Sheng Cycle. The Sheng Cycle is represented by a clockwise circle. It is continuous, having no beginning and no end. Although Fire creates Earth, Earth is necessary for Fire: (without Earth the succeeding Phases (Metal, Water and Wood) would not be, and Fire itself would die!).

 

 

The Sheng Cycle is the concept of Interpromotion among Phases: the Mother is necessary for the creation/nourishment of the Son. Thus, the Sheng Cycle is a GROWTH AND PROMOTION (anabolic) Cycle.

 

Ko Cycle: All growth (Sheng) must be controlled or restrained, otherwise abnormalities like cancer, overpopulation, starvation and crime etc arise. The Ko Cycle is the important controlling or restraining force between the Five Phases. It is a cycle of mutual control-inhibition-restraint. In this cycle things of a Fire nature restrain-control-inhibit things of a Metal nature. Metal restrains Wood etc. The following diagram shows the relationships of the Ko (restraint) Cycle.

  

The Ko Cycle is: Fire X Metal X Wood X Earth X Water X Fire. It is represented by a clockwise pentagram or star. It is continuous, having no beginning and no end. Although Fire restrains Metal, Metal has some control on Fire also, because without Metal, Water and Wood could not be (in the Sheng Cycle), therefore Fire could not be. Thus the Ko Cycle is a cycle of mutual CONTROL and RESTRAINT (the Grandmother disciplines, brings order to, restrains, the Grandson):