Water
Water is the fifth element of Wu Xing. Years ending in 2 and 3: 1972, 1973, 1982, 1983, 1992, 1993, 2002, 2003, 2012, 2013, 2022, 2023.
Personality of the Element
Water stands for fluidity, depth and adaptation. A Water person is flexible, sensitive and able to flow around obstacles where others run into them.
Strengths: intuition, diplomacy, the ability to learn, to see hidden connections and to work with people.
Weak spot: lack of shape. Water spreads out: without outside structure it struggles to finish things, and under pressure it gives way too easily.
The Rat and the Pig belong to Water: the signs of wit and generosity.
Colors, Directions, Time
Colors: black, dark blue. Direction: north. Season: winter; time of day: night. Planet: Mercury. Organ in Chinese medicine: the kidneys.
In feng shui water governs the north sector of career: it is strengthened with an aquarium, a fountain or an image of water, while earthy objects there weaken the sector.
Relationships with Other Elements
Produces Wood (nourishes it). Is produced by Metal.
Controls Fire (puts it out). Is controlled by Earth (which absorbs water and stops its flow).
Practical conclusion: Metal years are good for a Water person, while Earth years are limiting; tradition advises against starting new things in such periods and recommends strengthening what you already have.