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Wu Xing — Five Elements

Metal — 金

West · Autumn · White / Gold

Metal — 金

Jīn

Key Facts

Element
Metal (金, Jīn)
Direction
West
Season
Autumn
Colour
White / Gold
Yin Organ
Lungs (肺)
Generates
Water
Zodiac Animals
Monkey, Rooster

Metal represents contraction, precision, and the harvesting force of autumn. The Shangshu Hongfan states Metal submits to shaping and transforms. In BaZi, Metal Day Masters are known for decisiveness, righteousness, and structural clarity. Metal generates Water (condensation on metal surfaces) and overcomes Wood (axes fell trees).

Classical Correspondences

🧭
West
Direction
🌿
Autumn
Season
🎨
White / Gold
Colour
🪐
Venus (太白)
Planet
Attribute Correspondence
Yin OrganLungs (肺)
Yang OrganLarge Intestine (大腸)
TastePungent
EmotionGrief (悲)
PlanetVenus (太白)

Generating & Overcoming Cycles

Water
Metal Generates
💧
Earth
Generated By
⚔️
Wood
Metal Overcomes
🛡️
Fire
Overcome By

Associated Zodiac Animals

The following zodiac animals have Metal as their fixed element:

Frequently Asked Questions

In classical five-element cosmology, Metal (金) is associated with the West direction and the Autumn season.

The zodiac animals with Metal as their fixed element are: Monkey, Rooster. These animals share Metal's core qualities in their fundamental nature.

Metal generates Water in the sheng (生) or generating cycle. Metal is itself generated by Earth.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Metal governs the Lungs (肺) (yin organ) and the Large Intestine (大腸) (yang organ). The associated emotion is Grief (悲) and the taste is Pungent.

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