Seasons and Elements

For the ancient Chinese, the elements were five forces in an eternal cycle of creation and destruction. Wood creates fire, fire produces earth, earth produces metal, or, in reverse, water extinguishes fire, fire melts metal, metal cuts wood. The directions, the seasons, the colors, the activities of life, the parts of the body, all corresponded to these five elements. These correspondences were the expression of universal harmony. The sage, the king, the physician, the farmer, all order their activities according to this cycle, thus achieving oneness with the harmony of nature.

The Spring and Autumn Annals describe the year of the emperor: During the three spring months, the emperor remains in the eastern wing of the Hall of Light. He rides in a carriage drawn by green-shimmering dragon horses. All the banners are green. His officials and entourage are dressed in green gowns and wear green jade jewelry. The emperor conducts the sacrificial rites on the palace's east lawn. He orders his ministers to be magnanimous and to exercise gentleness, and to prevent the falling of trees and the taking up the arms.

During the three summer months, the emperor confines himself to the southern wing of the Hall of Light. His carriage is drawn by the for-red horses. The banners are red. The emperor's staff are clad in red robes and wear red jade. Sacrificial rites are conducted on the south lawn. The emperor orders his ministers to nominate worthy persons for awards and medals and to urge the populace to apply themselves to their tasks with vigor.

During the three autumn months, the emperor stays in the western wing of the Hall of Light. His war-carriage is drawn by white horses. The banners are white. His officials wear white gowns and wear white jade jewels. He conducts sacrificial rites on the palace's west lawn. The emperor orders his ministers to revise the laws and to conduct the court trials. Dressed in his war habit, the emperor takes part in the hunting expeditions.

During the three winter months, the emperor confines himself to the north wing of the Hall of Light. He rides a black carriage drawn by black horses. The banners are black. His staff wears black robes and black jade. Sacrificial rites are observed on the north lawn. The emperor orders his ministers to replenish the storage vaults and to have all necessary repairs done on the doors and locks. On the eve of the New Year, the exorcisers are called for to expel the spirits of pestilence.

References

Sellman, J. D. (2002) Timing and rulership in Spring and Autumn Annals. New York: State University of New York.

Wallnofer and Rottauscher (1965) Cycle of five elements. New York: Bell.