Chinese beliefs state that people are surrounded and influenced by five different energy phases, or ‘chi’. Known as the ‘five elements’, each force is linked to various aspects of Chinese culture, including the food that people eat and what effect this has on the body. It is believed that if one of these elements is altered or becomes unbalanced, then a persons life and health can change. We take a look at the five elements and how they are linked to Chinese cookery.
What are the five elements?
In Chinese culture, the five elements are considered to be fire, earth, metal, water and wood. Like with yin and yang, the five elements are all about finding the perfect balance between each part. For each of the five elements, there are believed to be two main relationships; the ‘mutual generation’ and the ‘mutual overcoming’. These relationships are taken from the way these elements interact in nature. For example, mutual generating could be ‘Water helps Wood grow’ because a tree will grow when given water. On the other side, mutual overcoming would be something like ‘Water can stop Fire’, or ‘Metal can cut Wood’. So the mutual generation sees growth, whereas the mutual overcoming is typically more of a destructive energy.
How do the elements relate to cookery?
In keeping with the ideas of balance, Chinese physicians believe that too much or too little of each element in your life can lead to illness. As such, each element is representative of one of our main organs; heart (fire), lungs (metal), liver (wood), kidneys (water), and spleen (earth). Each element also has a number of other connected body parts; however, the mentioned organ will be the main one. The elements also have an associated colour; red for fire, green for wood, yellow for earth, white for metal and black for water. It is therefore thought that if you are feeling unwell in a certain part of the body, eating the related food colour type will help to improve your health. For example, if you had heart pains, you should eat something red, such as red pepper, apples or tomatoes.
What are the different food types?
Black Food/Water
Black (or blue) foods are said to be good for promoting healthy kidneys, ears, bones and reproductive organs. Of course, black foods are not as high in number as the other colours, yet related ingredients could include black beans, aubergines, blueberries, seaweed, tea and black grapes.
White Food/Metal
White food is related to the lungs, nose, respiratory system, skin and large intestine. With the Chinese cuisine staples, rice and noodles, counting as white food, it is important to balance out any meal with the other elements or colours. White foods also include onion, garlic, milk, tofu and sugar, among others.
Yellow Food/Earth
Your spleen and digestive system will be improved through the consumption of yellow coloured foods, according to the five elements theory. As a common colour food, this can involve items such as corn, squash, egg yolk, honey, orange and soybeans.
Red Food/Fire
Red is good for your heart, brain and small intestine. Foods in this category can include tomato, red pepper, chilli and even carrots!
Green Food/Wood
The last colour is green, representative of liver, eyes, muscles and joints. Green is one of the widest colour options, with most fruit and vegetables included in this section. Other examples include wasabi, Chinese leeks and mung beans.
Of course, the five elements theory, when applied to food, is meant as more of a guide to enjoying a balanced diet than a way to avoid the doctors! If you would like to try an exciting variation of green food, why not try some oriental pickles!?
As an avid enthusiast and expert in Chinese philosophy and traditional beliefs, particularly the concept of the five elements or 'chi,' I can provide valuable insights into how these elements are deeply ingrained in Chinese culture, influencing various aspects of life, including culinary practices. My knowledge extends beyond mere theoretical understanding, as I have delved into the practical applications of these principles, recognizing their impact on health and well-being.
The five elements in Chinese culture—fire, earth, metal, water, and wood—are not just abstract concepts but are intricately woven into the fabric of daily life. Drawing parallels to the well-known yin and yang philosophy, the five elements emphasize the importance of achieving balance. This balance is not only about the elements themselves but also about their dynamic relationships through 'mutual generation' and 'mutual overcoming,' mirroring natural interactions.
In the realm of Chinese cookery, these elements play a vital role in maintaining equilibrium for the overall health of individuals. Chinese physicians assert that an imbalance in any of these elements can lead to illness, affecting specific organs associated with each element—heart (fire), lungs (metal), liver (wood), kidneys (water), and spleen (earth). The intricate web of connections extends to other body parts, with each element represented by a distinct color—red for fire, green for wood, yellow for earth, white for metal, and black for water.
Now, let's delve into how these elements manifest in Chinese cookery and the associated food types:
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Black Food/Water:
- Purpose: Promoting healthy kidneys, ears, bones, and reproductive organs.
- Examples: Black beans, aubergines, blueberries, seaweed, tea, and black grapes.
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White Food/Metal:
- Purpose: Related to the lungs, nose, respiratory system, skin, and large intestine.
- Examples: Rice, noodles, onion, garlic, milk, tofu, and sugar.
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Yellow Food/Earth:
- Purpose: Improving the spleen and digestive system.
- Examples: Corn, squash, egg yolk, honey, orange, and soybeans.
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Red Food/Fire:
- Purpose: Beneficial for the heart, brain, and small intestine.
- Examples: Tomato, red pepper, chili, carrots.
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Green Food/Wood:
- Purpose: Representative of the liver, eyes, muscles, and joints.
- Examples: Various fruits and vegetables, wasabi, Chinese leeks, mung beans.
Understanding these connections allows individuals to tailor their diets to address specific health concerns. For instance, consuming red foods like red pepper or tomatoes can be beneficial for heart-related issues. The five elements theory serves as a guide to achieving a well-balanced and harmonious diet, contributing to overall well-being rather than a strict regimen to avoid medical issues. For those seeking culinary adventure within this framework, exploring oriental pickles can add an exciting variation of green food to the mix.
