Five Directions

Chinese cosmology speaks of Wu Xing: the Five Elements, which are also the Directions. East corresponds to the element wood, the color green, the season spring, the sound of shouting, and the liver among bodily organs. The South, to fire, red, summer, laughter, and the heart. The Center, to earth, yellow, late summer, singing, the spleen. The West, to metal, white, fall, weeping, the lungs. The North, to water, black, winter, groaning, and the kidneys. The Five Elements system underpins classic Chinese philosophy, medicine, and divination.