CREATE conference 2010
Color Association in
Chinese Culture
Gjovik, Norway
June, 11, 2010
LEE, Tien – Rein
Professor
Chinese Culture University
What is color for?
What can color do for us?
How if color can help to
improve our health?
How if color can help to
increase our income for us?
Introduction
 Throughout several thousand years of Chinese
civilization, color has played a distinctive role in cultural
and social life.
 The Chinese society to a large extent relied on selected
colors meant to be auspicious or otherwise directly
influential to people’s lives and environment.
Introduction
 The ancient Chinese saw 5-element Theory or Feng-shui
not so much as the superstitious practice by itself, but as
an integral part of the study of the natural and the pattern
on it.
 As one of the important doctrines of ancient Chinese
culture, the 5-element Theory merges the wisdom and
life experience of our ancestors; its character is of
absolute practical use.
Introduction
 Countless customs followed the concept of the “5element Theory” as the basic traditional source of belief.
 This unique standard color theory therefore represents
an original piece of ancient Chinese wisdom using color
interpretation for daily use.
Introduction
 The term “color” in Chinese can be translated as “color in
the face”, 顔色。Later, around 800 A.D. during the Tang
Dynasty reign, the character became more generalized,
then referring to all colors. There is also a Chinese idiom
called “wu yan liu se” 五顔六色，meaning “all colors”.
Introduction
 The “Theory of the 5-element” identifies five basic colors:
Black, White, Blue-Green, Red and Yellow. Each of them
is associated with one of the five substances Water,
Metal, Fire, Earth and Wood.
Introduction
 Colors therefore are closely connected to certain
qualities according to the five elements (substances)
which are said to have positive or negative effects.
 This traditional Chinese understanding of colors and
their influence on people’s lives has been applied by
emperors throughout the ages, and can be linked to
modern science, i.e. regarding color therapy.
Introduction
 It presents not only cultural achievement but also
provides research value in the fields of natural sciences.
 Within currently prevailing evidence based research, this
theory can be discussed by applying modern scientific
methods, and it is entirely worth being probed.
Introduction
 There are people who call it a kind of superstition, or mystic
culture, not worth being examined. Yet if its structure and its
implications can be categorized, and verified by objective
methods, it means finding the true cultural source.
 But integration of the age-old cultural wisdom with modern
insight by employing ways of studying and extending –even
assigning modern models of interpretation – shows that this
theory offers even more meaningful knowledge and
guidelines for peoples’ lives today.
Introduction
 This presentation attempts to add, explore and explain
topics of color according to the traditional 5-element Theory;
besides, it tries its further development and application by
confronting and integrating modernized color theory and
related issues.
Introduction
 Regarding traditional Chinese culture, the "Theory of Wind and
Water” 「風水學」is the one best known among Westerners.
 Its practical content doubtlessly includes Geology, Meteorology,
Site Preservation, Architecture, from Physiology to Psychology;
it ranges from observing everything from the sky to the earth,
forming a complete theoretical foundation that leaves nearly
nothing unsaid – all this can be allotted to the single basis of
the 5-element Theory, corresponding to an analysis of the
“10.000 Phenomena” and their respective relations.
The Five Arts and their spiritual
practice
 山-- Mountain (self-cultivation and arts of transcendence this includes visualisation, qigong, internal alchemy / neidan,
talisman water)
 醫-- Medicine
 命-- Destiny - fortune-telling through Ba-tze (八字-8
characters)
 相-- Imaging: this can be face reading (physiognomy), fengshui (geomancy), and astronomy/astrology.
 卜-- Divination: casting the I-jing (Book of change) etc.
山-- Mountain
山-- Mountain
山-- Mountain
山-- Mountain
醫-- Medicine
醫-- Medicine
Dr. Yoichi Miyake new project
命-- Destiny
卜-- Divination
相-- Imaging
What is Wu-Xing (5 elements ) ?
Example for Wu-Xing using in
Feng-shui and Medical treatment
48
49
50
The Classification of
Wu-Xing (5 Elements)
Comprises almost all phenomena
 All things on earth can be subordinated to the rules of
the Five-element Theory, and assigned to its
differentiated mechanism.
Five-element Basic Correlation
Five
Element
Wood
Fire
Earth
Gold
(Metal)
Water
Red
Yellow
White
Black
Direction
Cyan
(Green or
Blue)
East
South
West
North
Season
Spring
Summer
Center
Last 18 days
of each
season
Autumn
Winter
Color
Sound
(The Basic
Pentatonic
Scale)
Climate
Jue
(mi)
Zhi
(so)
Gong
(do)
Shang
(re)
Yu
(la)
Windy
Hot
Damp
Dry
Cold
Shape
Rectangular
Triangular
Square
Round
Wavy
Five-elements - Manifestation
Five
Element
Wood
Fire
Earth
Gold
(Metal)
Water
Black
Red
Yellow
White
Livestock
Cyan
(Green or
Blue)
Chicken
Sheep/ Goat
Cattle
Pig
Animal
Classes
Scaly
(Fishes)
Feathered
(Birds)
Naked
(Man)
Fruit
Plum
Apricot
Jujube
Grain
Wheat
Beans
Rice
Hemp
Millet
Planet
Jupiter
Mars
Saturn
Venus
Mercury
Color
Horse
ShellHairy
covered
(Mammals) (Invertebrate
s)
Peach
Chestnut
Five-element - Perception
Five
Element
Wood
Fire
Earth
Gold
(Metal)
Water
Color
Cyan
(Green or
Blue)
Red
Yellow
White
Black
Mental
Quality
Sensitivity
Creativity
Clarity
Intuition
Spontaneity
Emotion
Anger
Happiness
Love
Grief,
Sadness
Fear, Scare
Benevolence
Virtue
Trust
Justice
Wisdom
Generative
Expansive
Stabilizing
Sprouting
Blooming
Ripening
Ethical
Values
Energy
Evolution
Contracting Conserving
Withering
Dormant
Five-elements Physical Equivalent
Five
Element
Wood
Fire
Earth
Gold
(Metal)
Water
Color
Cyan
(Green or
Blue)
Red
Yellow
White
Black
Spleen/
Pancreas
Lungs
Kidneys
Gall
bladder
Heart/
Pericardium
Small
intestine
Stomach
Large
intestine
Urinary
bladder
Zang (yin
organs)
Fu (yang
organs)
Sensory
organ
Substance
Eye
Tongue
Mouth
Nose
Ears
Tendons
Pulse
Muscle
Skin
Bones
Body Fluid
Tears
Sweat
Saliva
Mucus
Urine
Thumb
Ring finger
Little finger
Finger
Liver
Index finger Middle finger
Facial-Organ
Eyes
Tongue
Body
Nose
Ears
Viscus
Liver
Heart
Spleen
Lungs
Kidneys
Five-element Sensuality / Life Phase
Five
Element
Wood
Fire
Earth
Gold
(Metal)
Water
Red
Yellow
White
Black
Sense
Cyan
(Green or
Blue)
Sight
Speech
Taste
Smell
Hearing
Taste
Sour
Bitter
Sweet
Pungent
Salty
Smell
Rancid
Scorched
Fragrant
Rotten
Putrid
Life
Birth
Youth
Adulthood
Old age
Death
Color
Five-elements - Life Pattern
Five Element
Wood
Fire
Earth
Gold
(Metal)
Water
Color
Cyan
(Green or Blue)
Red
Yellow
White
Black
Eight Gua
Jian, Zun
Li
Gen, Kun
Jian, Dui
Kan
Ten Number
1, 2
3, 4
5, 6
7, 8
9, 10
Yi
Ding
Ji
Xin
Gui
Jia
Bing
Wu
Geng
Ren
Yin, Mao
Si, Wu
Shen, You
Hai, Zi
New Yang
Full Yang
New Yin
Full Yin
Ten Heavenly
Stems
(Yin)
Ten Heavenly
Stems
(Yang)
TwelveaEarth
Branches
Phase
Zhen, Shu,
Chou, Wei
Yin/Yang
balance
Stephen Skinner, 2006. Feng Shui: The Living Earth Manual, Tuttle Publishing, Vermont, U.S.A.,.
Wikipedia, Wu Xing. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wu_Xing. Accessed: May 31, 2010
The Productive
Cycle and Destructive cycle
Productive and the Destructive
 As a distinctive quality of the Five-element Theory, the
mechanisms of the Productive and the Destructive
Circles provide methods for differentiating positive and
negative influences on life itself.
Productive Circle
 Within the system of the Productive Circle and the
interrelated five elements, the elements not only contribute
to each others’ progress, but there is also one specific
element which has a particularly beneficial effect on its
counterpart. This mechanism of mutual strengthening is
basically productive, and supports our individual vitality.
Constructive Model of Five-element Theory
Meta l
Ea rth
1
Crea tion
Colors
 Regarding colors, Water is represented by black.
Respectively, black is considered supporting the bluegreen spectrum of the Wood-element. Besides providing a
basically beneficial blue-green environment for a physical
body of the Wood-element, we can additionally give black
color or dark shades that will be supportive.
Destructive Circle
 Another mechanism within the Five-element Theory
which has a disturbing influence on life energies is called
the Destructive Circle, and this should be avoided.
Generally spoken, unless you wish to reduce certain
aspects of your abilities, this basically negative influence
on individual existence should not be sought after.
Destructive Model of Five-element Theory
Meta l
Ea rth
Destruc tion
3
Enhancement or Weakening?
 For example, in the Productive Circle, Wood benefits
from Water. Therefore, if a physical body belongs to the
Wood-element, it should seek for influences from things
that belong to the Water-element or Wood-element. But
as Metal harms Wood, things associated with the Metalelement should be avoided accordingly.
Destructive Circle of Food Taking
 At the same case mentioned above, white should be
reduced or avoided. For example, a person whose body
belongs to the Wood-element should enjoy plums, and
chestnuts will be supportive, but having peaches will be
harmful.
Panacea for our Living?
 The Productive or Constructive circle and Destructive
Circle offer choices for the better or worse that we can
relate to, and it provides solutions for nearly all aspects
of life, just like a panacea.
Black
Color
water
Basic
Correlation
White
Metal
Yellow
Earth
Cyan
Wood
Red
Fire
Productive Cycle:
-- Creation
•Color
•Direction
•Season
•Sound
•Climate
Black
Color
water
Basic
Correlation
White
Metal
Yellow
Earth
Cyan
Wood
Red
Destructive
Cycle:
-- Disturbance
Fire
•Color
•Direction
•Season
•Sound
•Climate
物質實體
water
物質實體
Metal
物質實體
Earth
物質實體
Fire
Productive Cycle:
-- Creation
物質實體
Manifestation
物質實體
Wood
•Color
•Livestock
•Fruit
•Grain
物質實體
water
物質實體
Metal
Destructive
Cycle:
-- Disturbance
物質實體
Earth
物質實體
Fire
物質實體
Manifestation
物質實體
Wood
•Color
•Livestock
•Fruit
•Grain
Black
Wisdom
Cyan
Earth
Wood
Trust
Metal
Yellow
Justice
Red
Fire
Virtue
Productive Cycle:
-- Creation
Benevolence
White
Perception
Ethical Values
water
Color
•Color
•Mental Quality
•Emotion
•Ethical Values
•Energy
•Development
Black
Wisdom
Cyan
Earth
Wood
Trust
Metal
Yellow
Justice
Red
Fire
Virtue
Destructive
Cycle:
-- Disturbance
Benevolence
White
Perception
Ethical Values
water
Color
•Color
•Mental Quality
•Emotion
•Ethical Values
•Energy
•Development
White
Metal
Black
Color
water
Physical
Equivalent
Yellow
Cyan
Earth
Wood
Red
Fire
Productive Cycle:
-- Creation
•Color
•Zang (yin organs)
•Fu (yang organs)
•Sensory organs
•Substance
•Body Fluid
•Finger
White
Metal
Black
Color
water
Physical
Equivalent
Yellow
Cyan
Earth
Wood
Red
Destructive
Cycle:
-- Disturbance
Fire
•Color
•Zang (yin organs)
•Fu (yang organs)
•Sensory organs
•Substance
•Body Fluid
•Finger
Black
Color
water
White
Metal
Yellow
Earth
Red
Fire
Productive Cycle
-- Creation
Sensuality/
Life Phase
Cyan
Wood
•Color
•Sense
•Taste
•Smell
•Life
Blaci
Color
water
White
Metal
Yellow
Earth
Red
Destructive
Cycle:
-- Disturbance
Fire
Sensuality/
Life Phase
Cyan
Wood
•Color
•Sense
•Taste
•Smell
•Life
Black
Ren, Gui
Cyan
Earth
Wood
Wu, Ji
Metal
Yellow
Geng, Xin
Red
Fire
Bing, Ding
Productive Cycle:
-- Creation
Jia, Yi
White
Life Pattern
Ten Heavenly
Stems
water
Color
•Color
•Eight Gua
•Ten Numbers
•Ten Heavenly Stems
•Twelve Earth Branches
•Phase
Black
Ren, Gui
Cyan
Earth
Wood
Wu, Ji
Metal
Yellow
Geng, Xin
Red
Fire
Bing, Ding
Destructive
Cycle:
-- Disturbance
Jia, Yi
White
Life Pattern
Ten Heavenly
Stems
water
Color
•Color
•Eight Gua
•Ten Numbers
•Ten Heavenly Stems
•Twelve Earth Branches
•Phase
Direction
Productive Cycling
--Creation
Restrictive cycle
--Destruction
Season
Productive Cycling
--Creation
Restrictive cycle
--Destruction
Sound
(The Basic Pentatonic Scale)
Productive Cycling
--Creation
Restrictive cycle
--Destruction
Climate
Productive Cycling
--Creation
Restrictive cycle
--Destruction
Conversion by using colors
What can color do for us?
Panacea
for life?
C
D
E
F
5-element
Converting
Mechanism
A
G
Decision Making
Basic
Correlation
Manifestation
Life
Pattern
Percep
-tion
Sensuality
Example: Pentameter five
surnames method 五音五姓法
Pentameter
five
surnames
Gong
宮
Shang
商
Jue
角
Zhi
徵
Yu
羽
Wu-Xing
belongs
Earth
土
Gold
金
Wood
木
Fire
火
Water
水
Suitable
position
Center/
South
中／南
West/
Center
西／中
East/
North
東／北
South/
East
南／東
North/
West
北／西
Inappropriate
position
East
東
South
南
West
西
North
北
Center
中
Example: Interior
 In between color, shape and material, how could we define
the Five-element category of a specific object for the deco
need?
 Black being the color of the water, would the table be
bringing the water element into your home or would it
bring the wood element, as the table is made from wood?
And how about the square shape, does it bring the earth
Feng-shui element?
Priority of Feng-shui Criteria
for Decoration
 How about a square shaped black coffee table?
 Black color – Water - north, Square shape – Earth -
Center, Made from wood – Wood - East .
Priority of Feng-shui Criteria
for Decoration
Generally, the color will be used as the first criteria.
Second comes the shape, and then the material
from which the item is made.
1.Color
2.Shape
3.Material
Question
 A metal staircase (metal element) or a plant (wood
element), there is no guesswork!
The shapes in 5–element Theory
 WOOD: Rectangular
 FIRE: Triangular
 EARTH: Square
 METAL: Round
 WATER: Wavy
Path of Wu-Xing Based
Problem Solving Process
Conclusion
Color in 5-element Theory
Mechnism
 Color is one of the easiest ways to shift the energy or
change the ch’i in your environment with Feng-shui or
other approaches.
Conclusion
 Talking about application: Using all kinds of modern
methods on the “productive and destructive cause and
effects” and their relations will influence the range of the
results and their significance. Afterwards, a lot must be
invested verifying them for stepwise recognition through
the public.
 Just as acupuncture measures and corrects the life
energy for man, so can Feng-shui cultivate the life force
or ch’i in the earth for one’s benefit.
Conclusion
 The Chinese art of living within the rhythms of the world
and the seasons is just as applicable to loife in the
Western world.
 The system of 5-element Theory is intrinsically linked to
traditional Chinese culture, the practical tenets are tend
to be universal.
Conclusion
 Color application in daily life use already takes place
progressively in all parts of the world, and the unique 5element Theory of the Chinese culture with its own color
system provides key patterns for this.
 Only if we can believe in it and apply trustfully, then
people will be able to learn and understand something
about the basic theory of the 5-element, and it can make
a non-dispensable contribution!
Conclusion
 Concerning the basis of the 5-element Theory, its color
model (including its applications) cannot contain today's
complete known modern wave spectrum, as well as the
equivalents Water-Black (North) and Metal-White (West) of
the 5-element Theory don't match with current color
teachings.
 The world of our ancestors was probably marked by a
limited understanding of colors and this had influenced its
use; or, those people only chose colors that they thought
might have an effect—they just couldn't know better!
 Only subsequent research gradually brought more truthful
understanding.
Thank you for your attention!
AIC 2012, Interim Meeting of the
International Color Association
Theme:
“In Color We Live:
Color and Environment”
Will be hosted by
Color Association of Taiwan (CAT)
Come to Taiwan
for AIC 2012 Interim
Mark your calendar for
Sep. 28, to Oct. 2, 2012