Water (classical element)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Classical Elements

	Air
Fire	Aether	Water
	Earth

Chinese

Wood (木) | Fire (火)
Earth (土) |
Metal (金) | Water (水)

Hinduism and Buddhism

Vayu / Pavan — Air / Wind
Agni / Tejas — Fire
Akasha — Aether
Prithvi / Bhumi — Earth
Ap / Jala — Water

Water

1 Greek and Roman Tradition
2 Chinese Tradition
3 Magical Tradition
4 Other Concepts of Water
5 See also

[edit] Greek and Roman Tradition

Water is one of the four classical elements in ancient Greek philosophy and science. It is considered to be both cold and wet; according to Plato, it is associated with the icosahedron. It is associated with the qualities of emotion and intuition.

[edit] Chinese Tradition

Water is one of the five Chinese elements. It is associated with the planet Mercury, the north and winter, and the colour black. Water is "black" because in fact it represents flood. It is believed to govern the kidneys. In Chinese Taoist thought, water is representative of intelligence and wisdom; however, an overabundance of the element is said to cause difficulty in choosing something and sticking to it. In the conquest cycle, water overcomes fire, and in turn is overcome by earth. In the birth and nurturing cycle, Water spawns wood, and is spawned by metal. The element water plays an important role in Chinese Astrology and feng shui, the Chinese form of geomancy.

[edit] Magical Tradition

In Wiccan tradition, it is associated with the West, autumn, and the color blue on the physical plane. It is sometimes represented by a white crescent, a downward pointing triangle, the chalice, the bell, shells, sapphires, lapis lazuli, tears, and the cauldron. Water represents emotions, wisdom, the soul, and femininity. In rituals, it is represented in the forms of pouring water over objects, brew making, healing spells, ritual bathing, and tossing objects into bodies of water.

The manifestations of the element of water are rivers, oceans, lakes, wells, fog, all drinks, and the rain. Animals, especially the dolphin, seal, turtle, frog, and all types of fish, are also thought to personify the element of water. Astral creatures of water (elementals) are the Undine/Mermaid, Oreade/Naiad, and Sea Serpent/Dragon. Water’s place on the pentagram is the upper right point.

[edit] Other Concepts of Water

In China and Japan, water was represented by a black turtle, known as Genbu in Japanese; in the Aztec religion, by a cane; to the Hindus, a bowl of blood; to the Greeks, a cup; to the Scythians, a bowl; to the Celts, the cauldron of the Dagda, which was always full; and in Christian iconography by an eagle.