There are 5 elements that one must understand to fully grasp the concept of Feng Shui. Each area of the Bagua Map is governed by one of these specific elements, and this allows us to determine how each space should be assessed. Each element has specific qualities attributed to it, including colors, shapes, seasons, times of day, etc.
FIRE symbolizes expansion, burning, bright light, and heat. It is associated with summer and the south, and it has an expansive, upward, outward and most yang energy. It represents the outgoing, generous, spiritual, and assertive emotions.
EARTH symbolizes the center, the middle line. It has a settled energy and it is associated with the periods between the seasons, a time of completeness. The directions are middle, southwest, and northeast. It has the stable, balanced energy of things beginning to settle. Balanced between yin and yang, the emotions associated with it are practicality, conservativeness, sympathy, thoughtfulness, and acceptance.
METAL represents maturity, contraction, and stability. It represents autumn and harvest time. The directions are northwest and west. The energy is one of contractions. The force is more yin. The emotions associated with metal are strength, independence, righteousness, intensity, and tenaciousness.
WATER is associated with all liquids from fog to sea, and the rotting and rebirth of everything. It is associated with winter and the north, neither which supports life. It is the time of hibernation, and the energy is dissolving, spreading, and seeping. It is most yin. The emotions associated with water are creativity, persuasiveness, desire, sensitivity, and attractiveness.
WOOD represents all living things, especially plants and trees, and is associated with spring, growth and activity. The directions are east and southeast. It has an upward and more yang energy. The emotions are idealism, competition, compassion, risk taking, and decision making.