Concept
Fire (wuxing)
Overview
In Chinese philosophy, fire (Chinese: 火; pinyin: huǒ) is one of the five elements that form the wuxing.
Fire is seen traditionally as the symbol of old yang with in the principles of the philosophy of Yin and yang. Its motion is expanding, moving upwards and warming, this can be seen in the energy of fermenting, ripening, convection and adaption.
Fire is associated with Summer, the South in the northern hemisphere and North in the Southern hemisphere and the planet Mars, the color red (associated with extreme luck), hot weather, daylight, and the Vermilion Bird (Zhu Que) in the Four Symbols.
There is debate based on the logic of fire, summer and the south as to whether feng shui should be changed for the southern hemisphere.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0; see the article history for authors).
In the original texts
Passages from public-domain books where Fire (wuxing) is discussed.
Heraclitus and Hippasus of Metapontum suppose that fire gives the origination to all beings, that they all flow from fire, and in fire they all conclude; for of fire when first quenched the world was constituted. The first part of the world, being most condensed and contracted within itself, made the earth; but part of that earth being loosened and made thin by fire, water was produced; afterwards this water being…
Plutarch, Complete Works of Plutarch — Volume 3
names the idea; states what it is; opens on it
Again, when fire escapes from this body, it does not retire into a vacuum, but the surrounding air repelled [by the fire] drives the easily-moveable mass of moisture into the place before occupied by the fire, with which at the same time it becomes mingled;—but when the mass by close compression once more becomes equable and smooth, it then resumes its smoothness and consistency, because fire, the artificer of…
Plato, The works of Plato
names the idea; states what it is; opens on it
In the next place, we may observe that there are different kinds of fire—(1) flame, (2) light that burns not, (3) the red heat of the embers of fire. And there are varieties of air, as for example, the pure aether, the opaque mist, and other nameless forms. Water, again, is of two kinds, liquid and fusile.
Plato, Timaeus
names the idea; states what it is; opens on it
iv. 36); and, “When ye heard the voice out of the midst of the ḥoshek” (darkness) (ibid. v. 2); again, “All ḥoshek (darkness) shall be hid in his secret places: a fire not blown shall consume him” (Job xx. 26). The element fire is called ḥoshek because it is not luminous, it is only transparent; for if it were luminous we should see at night the whole atmosphere in flames. The order of the four elements, according…
Moses Maimonides, The guide for the perplexed
names the idea; states what it is; opens on it
4. The fourth difference between the heat of the sun and fire is of great consequence; namely, that the sun, gradually, and for a length of time, insinuates its effects, while those of fire (urged by the impatience of man) are brought to a termination in a shorter space of time. But if any one were to pay attention to the tempering of fire, and reducing it to a more moderate and gentle degree (which may be done in…
Francis Bacon, Novum organum
names the idea; states what it is; opens on it
Philosophers who discussed Fire (wuxing)
Related ideas
- Yin and yang
- Chinese astrology
- Feng shui
- I Ching
- Chinese philosophy
- Traditional Chinese medicine
- Wuxing (Chinese philosophy)
- Earthly Branches
- Earth (wuxing)
- Water (wuxing)
- Wood (wuxing)
- Metal (wuxing)
Place in the tradition
Part of School of Naturalists.