The Five Elements Generating: "Generating" means to nourish, assist and promote. The Five Elements have a mutual relationship of nourishing and assisting each other. This relationship is briefly called "the generating of the Five Elements".

The Five Elements Generating: Metal generates Water, Water generates Wood, Wood generates Fire, Fire generates Earth, and Earth generates Metal.

　　Metal generates Water, because when metal is burned by fierce fire, it becomes liquid, which belongs to Water;

　　Water generates Wood, because water irrigates trees, and trees grow vigorously;

　　Wood generates Fire, because fire uses wood as fuel, and when the wood is burnt out, the fire will go out automatically.

　　Fire generates Earth, because when fire burns objects, they turn into ashes, and ashes are considered Earth;

　　Earth generates Metal, because Metal is hidden in the soil and rocks, and gold is extracted after smelting;

The Five Elements Controlling: "Controlling" means to restrict, suppress and overcome. The Five Elements have a mutual relationship of restriction, overcoming and suppression. This relationship is briefly called "the controlling of the Five Elements".

　　The Five Elements Controlling: Metal controls Wood, Wood controls Earth, Earth controls Water, Water controls Fire, and Fire controls Metal.

　　Metal controls Wood, because metal tools used for cutting can break trees;

　　Wood controls Earth, because the power of tree roots is strong enough to break through the obstacles of Earth;

　　Earth controls Water, because Earth can block Water;

　　Water controls Fire, because Fire goes out when it meets Water.

　　Fire controls Metal, because fierce Fire can melt Metal;

Below is the diagram of the generating and controlling of the Five Elements. Red arrows represent generating, and blue arrows represent controlling: