Five Elements Theory is a Chinese philosophy used to describe interactions and relationships between things. The five elements — wood, fire, earth, metal, and water — are believed to be the fundamental elements of everything in the universe between which interactions occur.

Five Elements Theory first appeared during the Spring and Autumn Period (770–476 BC). It became widespread: mostly used in Chinese medicine, philosophy, Fengshui, fortune-telling, and martial arts. Each element has its own characteristics and associations with different aspects of nature, such as direction, season, color, shape, and responding Chinese zodiacs.