History
of the Five Elements
The fifth century B.C. Greek philosopher Empedocles originated the concept
of four elements of nature: Fire, Water, Air, and Earth. These
represent the realms of the cosmos within which, and of which, all things
consist. These four elements were discussed in the writings of Plato, and
the early Greek physicians Hippocrates and Galen used them to describe the four
humors of the body. A century later, Aristotle and the Pythagoreans added
the fifth element, which they called Ether. This element represents the
substance of the heavenly bodies, which is latent in all things. This
element is also called Quintessence or Space. These same five elements
are also found in Hinduism, which influenced the philosophy of Yoga.
The five elements of nature
have a lot of significance in the ancient scriptures of the orient. We will try
to investigate the concept of the five elements and explain the significance of
the same in this article.
The Five Elements
Those of us who have studied
science even at very basic level know that it classifies matter into elements
like atoms (along with further subdivisions) which compose all living and non-living
things in the universe.
Similarly the five elements
described in the ancient texts basically are a nomenclature for a similar
classification which was done as a result of extensive research by the seers.
These five elements are those that we are made up of and the entire
universe as well and these are the elements that we will end. They are the
reality of life and they must be a part of every aspect of our life.
Names of The 5 Elements
The actual names of these
elements and their approximate English translation is as follows:
Prithvi: Earth
Jal: Water
Vayu: Air
Agni: Fire
Akash: Ether
Qualities
of the Five Elements
We can use the five-element
system to better understand our lives. Each of the elements represents a
different aspect of our daily life – by including meaningful interactions in
each of these areas, we can have more balanced and fulfilled lives.
The five elements relate to
several other symbolic systems of self-analysis: the Personality Typing
of the Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung, the Astrological signs, and the Tarot
cards. All of these can be helpful tools of self-exploration. The
following chart shows how these systems relate together, including the
classical assignment of each of the elements to a direction, the realm of our
life that element represents, how we can use that element as a path of
spiritual growth, and potential problems we may encounter if we focus our
energy in one area.
The Elements in the Human Body
All the creation is made up of the five elements in different proportions.
The Human body is also the product of these 5 elements in different
proportions. 72% water, 12% earth, 6% air, 4% fire and the rest are Ether.
Usually, the percentages of first four elements remain constant but the
percentage of Ether can be enhanced. Each element is responsible for different
structures in the body. Earth forms solid structures such as teeth, nails,
bones, muscles, skin, tissues, and hair. These give structure and strength to
the body. Water forms saliva, urine, semen, blood, and sweat. Fire forms
hunger, thirst, sleep, the vision in the eyes and complexion of skin. Air is
responsible for all movement including expansion, contraction, vibration and
suppression. Space is the subtlest of all elements and is present in the hollow
cavities of the body in the form of radio frequencies, light radiation, cosmic
rays etc.
The “Prana” (vital force) in the human body is also directly connected to
these 5 elements. The Law of Nature demands these elements to be in balance.
Functions of the 5 Elements Within the Body
According to Ayurvedic traditions, these five elements are also represented in our body and each element is responsible for different structures and
· The element Earth forms all solid structures, i.e., the bones and tissues, flesh and skin, and hair.
· Water forms all bodily fluids such as saliva, blood, sweat, urine, and semen.
· The element Air is responsible for movement and breath.
· Fire creates heat and drives our needs like hunger, thirst, and sleep.
· The Space element is deeply connected to our inner wisdom and intuition and determines our fears.
Every one of us contains all of these 5 elements in the body – just in different proportions.
Imbalance of the Elements is the CAUSE of DISEASES
The source of chronic (self-manifested) diseases is the impurity of any of the elements or if the elements are out of balance with another element in the body.
1. Imbalance of Water element: This is visible as excess mucus, cold, sinusitis,
swelling of glands, edema of tissues, blood thinning or blood clotting.
2. Imbalance of Earth element: shows itself as general weakness in the body, loss of
calcium from bones, obesity, cholesterol, weight loss and weight gain, muscular
diseases etc.
3. Imbalance of Fire element: manifests itself as fever, skin diseases like
inflammation, increased coldness or heat in body, excessive sweating,
hyperacidity, slow digestion and absorption of nutrients, toxins in the body,
diabetes etc.
4. Imbalance of Air element: leads to skin dryness, blood pressure problems, lung
disorders, dry cough, bloating, constipation, lethargy, insomnia, muscular
spasms, depression, etc.
5. Imbalance of Space element: is visible as Thyroid disorders, throat problems, speech
disorders, epilepsy, madness, ear diseases, etc.
Yoga helps us purify these elements and restore balance and health.
Cleansing techniques for the 5 elements are known as “Bhuta Shuddhi”. To unfold
the inner powers and abilities contained in each element. Yoga also offers
techniques to master all these elements – known as “Bhuta Siddhi”.
The above five elements are maintained in a healthy body in particular ratio which influence the nature, health and healing power of a person.
