The 5 Elements

In Feng Shui, these elements are called "Wu Hang," the study of the the movement of energy. These five energies: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood move in five ways: radiating, concentrating, rising, descending and rotating:

Fire energy: rises
Earth energy: rotates
Metal energy: concentrates
Water energy: descends
Wood energy: expands

The Five Elements interact with each other in a circular motion.
The relations of them can be generated, destroyed or weakened.

This positive cycle is called Generating:
Fire generates Earth
Earth generates Metal
Metal generates Water
Water generates Wood
Wood generates Fire
...and so on

This negative cycle is called Destroying:
Fire Destroys Metal
Metal Destroys Wood
Wood Destroys Earth
Earth Destroys Water
Water Destroys Fire

This is the cycle of Weakening:
Earth weakens Fire
Metal weakens Earth
Water weakens Metal
Wood weakens Water
Fire weakens Wood

In understanding these elemental relationships, we can apply them to life. If you would like one part of your life to expand and grow, you can strengthen the wood energy. Since water strengthens wood, you may consider placing a strong green plant in the area of your home that represents the area you want strengthened and water the plant often.