Metal (金, gon) in the five elements
Ore and blades, tempered in the earth and shining.
On this page
1.The nature of Metal
Metal stands for gathering in, decision and purification. Like the autumn harvest, it cuts away what is not needed and gives things their final form. Because metal can be melted and recast, the classics call it “following and changing” (jūkaku).
2.Correspondences of Metal
- Season
- Autumn
- Direction
- West
- Color
- White
- Organs
- Lungs and large intestine
- Taste
- Pungent
- Sense organ
- Nose
- Virtue
- Righteousness (gi)
- Planet
- Venus
- Guardian beast
- White Tiger
- Musical note
- Shō (D)
- Emotion
- Grief
- Climate
- Dryness
- Numbers
- 4 and 9
- Weekday
- Friday (金曜日)
- Stems
- 庚 Kanoe, 辛 Kanoto
- Branches
- 申 Monkey, 酉 Rooster
3.Metal and the other elements
- Earth generates Metal: Earth gives birth to Metal (helps it)
- Metal generates Water: Metal gives birth to Water (lends it strength)
- Metal controls Wood: Metal restrains Wood
- Fire controls Metal: Fire restrains Metal
See the whole picture, with a diagram, in the generating and controlling cycles.
4.Personality of people strong in Metal
People strong in Metal have firm will and a strong sense of justice. They see things clearly and decide well, but if their strictness goes too far they can seem cold or rigid.
5.How to boost Metal when it is lacking
When Metal is lacking, decisions come slowly and you struggle to finish things neatly. Bring it back with white, gold or silver accessories, by letting go of things you don't need, and by making deep breathing a habit.
Check the balance of your own five elements with the Four Pillars chart.
6.Stems, branches and stars of Metal
Stems: Kanoe (庚), Kanoto (辛)
Branches: Monkey (申), Rooster (酉)