As in other eastern cultures, here in Japan the concept of the five elements (五大) that make the world and everything in it underly much of traditional culture, from food to architecture.
Join us as we take a look at each of the elements in turn…
土 Earth
– Representing soil and stone, earth gives us a literal connection not only to our bodies but also to the physical world.
Earth is stable and confident.
水 Water
– Illustrating rives and lakes, water connects us to the flow of life and the growth of all things.
Water is changeable and adaptable.
火 Fire
– The element of energy and force, fire is connected to passion and movement.
Fire is motivated and intentional.
風 Wind
– Symbolising freedom and expansion, wind is not only sky breezes but also our own breath.
Wind is open-minded and wise.
空 Void/sky/heaven
– The most elusive of all the elements, void (also known as sky or heaven) is our connection to all things beyond our experiences.
Void is creative and inventive.
So, what can we learn from the five elements? Channelling the meanings and attributes can help us focus on what we want to achieve – if you need motivation, consider fiery colours to give you an extra boost, if you need to think outside the box then use light fabrics and colours to capture the feeling of air.
Confident, adaptable, intentional, wise and inventive… That sounds a lot like our vision for kay me!
kay me 