Five elements · 五行
木 The Wood Element
Wood is the element of growth. It is the energy of spring, when shoots push up through the soil and everything reaches toward the light. In people, Wood is associated with vision, kindness and the drive to grow.
- Season
- Spring
- Direction
- East and Southeast
- Colours
- Green, teal
- Shapes
- Tall, columnar, vertical stripes
- Planet
- Jupiter
- Virtue
- Benevolence (仁)
Wood as a Day Master
In BaZi, your Day Master is the heavenly stem of the day you were born, and it describes your core nature. The Wood stems are 甲 Jiǎ (Yang), 乙 Yǐ (Yin). A Wood Day Master tends to be principled, generous and forward-looking. Yang Wood (甲) is often compared to a tall tree: upright and dependable. Yin Wood (乙) is more like a vine or flower: flexible, graceful and good at finding its way around obstacles.
Wood also appears in the earthly branches 寅 Tiger, 卯 Rabbit, which is why those zodiac animals share some of Wood's character.
How Wood relates to the other elements
The five elements move in two cycles. In the generating cycle, Wood feeds Fire, Fire makes Earth, Earth bears Metal, Metal carries Water and Water nourishes Wood. In the controlling cycle, Wood parts Earth, Earth dams Water, Water puts out Fire, Fire melts Metal and Metal cuts Wood. The Destiny Kua daily reading compares each day's element with your Day Master using these relationships.
| Relationship | Element | Meaning for you |
|---|---|---|
| Feeds you (Resource, 印) | Water | Support, learning, rest |
| You feed (Output, 食傷) | Fire | Expression, creativity; can drain you |
| You control (Wealth, 財) | Earth | Effort that turns into results |
| Controls you (Pressure, 官殺) | Metal | Discipline, pressure, responsibility |
| Same element (Companion, 比劫) | Wood | Friends, peers, competition |
Wood in your home
Bring in Wood with healthy plants, wooden furniture, natural fabrics and green or teal accents. The East and Southeast are Wood's home sectors. Avoid overloading a Wood space with sharp metal objects, since Metal cuts Wood.
Materials: Wood, bamboo, cotton, living plants.
Too much or too little Wood
Signs of too little Wood in a room: bare walls, no plants, and a space that feels stale or stuck. Signs of too much: overcrowded with plants and furniture, or a restless feeling. The easiest fix in both cases is one healthy, well-kept plant placed where you see it daily.
Balancing Wood
Too much Wood can feel restless or stubborn; a little Fire (lighting, warm colours) lets it express itself. Too little Wood can feel stuck; add plants and Water (blue, glass) to feed it.
Common questions
Which Day Masters are Wood?
People born on 甲 (Jiǎ) or 乙 (Yǐ) days. Your zodiac animal's element is different; the calculator shows both.
Are dried flowers Wood?
Traditional feng shui treats dried and artificial plants as weak or stagnant Wood. Living plants are preferred.
What is the best Wood colour for clothing?
Green and teal. On days when the calculator suggests Wood, even a green accessory counts.