Wu Xing
Glossary · Last updated: 2026-07-26
Wu Xing (五行) describes five phases: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. They have generating and controlling relationships.
In Sheng Xiao, the ten-year stem cycle gives each animal year an element (for example Fire Horse, Earth Ox). Tibetan notes use a related but not identical element set.
Example: see it on a birth date
The Chinese year for June 27, 2021 is the Year of the Metal Ox. Its wu xing element is Metal.
Wu xing is the five-phase list used with that year. Cancer is a Water sign in the Western list, which is a different set.
Enter your own date on the Zodiac Sign Calculator.
Not Western elements
Western fire-earth-air-water signs are a separate system. Wu Xing applies to stems, branches, and Ba Zi balance. It is not the same as tropical zodiac groups.
Related
Main reading and tools
These are the main reading and calculator pages. Use them for a daily note, a birth-sign tool, or a pair check.
- Today's Horoscope hubAll twelve Western sun-sign daily pages, plus links to the seven-tradition reader.
- Horoscope & Zodiac CompatibilityTwo birth dates for Western, Chinese, and Indian Vedic pairing, plus every sun-sign hub.
- Zodiac Sign CalculatorWestern sun sign from birth date, with element, modality, and ruler.
- Rising Sign CalculatorIndian Vedic Lagna estimate when you have birth date, time, and place.
- Moon Sign CalculatorIndian Vedic Janma Rashi and nakshatra when birth time and city are available.