Five elements (木, 火, 土, 金, 水 )

The Yin or Yang is broken down into Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water) on top of the cycle of animals. These are modifiers and affect the characteristics of each of the 12 animal signs. Thus, each of the 12 animals are governed by an element plus a Yin Yang Direction.

Although it is usually translated as 'element' the Chinese word xing literally means something like 'changing states of being', 'permutations' or 'metamorphoses of being'. ^[1] In fact Sinologists cannot agree on one single translation. The Chinese conception of 'element' is therefore quite different to the Western one. The Western elements were seen as the basic building blocks of matter. The Chinese 'elements', by contrast, were seen as ever changing and moving forces or energies - one translation of xing is simply 'the five changes'.

The balance of yin and yang and the five elements in a person's make-up has a major bearing on what is beneficial and effective for them in terms of feng shui, the Chinese form of geomancy. This is because each element is linked to a particular direction and season, and their different kinds of qì or life force.

木 Wood

• The East
• Spring
• Azure Dragon
• The Planet Jupiter
• The Color Green
• Liver and gallbladder
• Generous, Warm, Persuasive, Co-operative, Seeks to Expand and Grow
• Idealistic, Ethical, Enthusiastic, Seeks to Explore

Wood 'Governs' the Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon

火 Fire

• The South
• Summer
• Vermilion Bird
• The Planet Mars
• The Color Red
• Circulatory system & Heart
• Dynamic, Humanitarian, Energetic, Passionate, Enterprising, Adventurous, Restless
• Competitive, Leadership Skills, Strong, Single-minded, Loves a good laugh

Fire 'Governs' the Snake, Horse and Sheep

土 Earth

• Center
• Three Enclosures, Change of seasons
• The Yellow Dragon
• The Planet Saturn
• The Color Yellow
• Digestive system, Spleen and stomach
• Patient, Militaristic, Prudent, Stable, Reliable, Hard-working, Ambitious, Stubborn, and very energetic
• Disciplined, Tenacious, Logical, Governed by Service and Duty to Others

'Governs' Dragon, Rat, and Ox. It is the central balance of the elements and can lend qualities to all 12 animals as well.

金 Metal

• The West
• Autumn
• White Tiger
• The Planet Venus
• The Color White
• Respiratory system & Lungs
• Determined, Self-reliant, Unyielding, Strong, Tenacious, Forceful
• Reserved, Needs Personal Space, Sophisticated, Seeks pleasure, caring, respectful

Metal 'Governs' the Monkey, Rooster, Dog

水 Water

• The North
• Winter
• Black Tortoise
• The Planet Mercury
• The Color Black
• Skeletal/Excretory System & Lungs
• Secretive, Charming, Intuitive, Compassionate, Sensitive, Creative
• Flexible, Compliant, Eloquence, Intellectual

Water 'Governs' the Pig, Rat, Ox

Chinese Dynasty and Republic (中 国 朝 代)

Chinese history is rarely as neat as it is portrayed and it was rare indeed for one dynasty to end calmly and give way quickly and smoothly to a new one. Dynasties were often established before the overthrow of an existing regime, or continued for a time after they had been defeated.

In addition, China was divided for long periods of its history, with different regions being ruled over by different groups. At times like these there was no dynasty ruling a unified China. As a case in point, there is much dispute about times in the Western Zhou period and later. One example of the potential for confusion will suffice.

The conventional date 1644 marks the year in which the Manchu Qing dynasty armies occupied Beijing and brought Qing rule to China proper, succeeding the Ming dynasty. However, the Qing dynasty itself was established in 1636 (or even 1616, albeit under a different name), while the last Ming dynasty pretender was not disposed of until 1662. The change of ruling houses was a messy and prolonged affair, and the Qing took almost twenty years to extend their control over the whole of China. It is therefore inaccurate to assume China changes all at once in the year 1644.

Chronology of dynasties

Dynasty			Years
The Three August Ones and the Five Emperors	三皇五帝	sān huáng wu dì	before 2070 BC	628+
Xia Dynasty	夏	xià	2070 BC - 1600 BC	470
Shang Dynasty	商	shāng	1600 BC - 1046 BC	554
Western Zhou Dynasty	西周	xī zhōu	1046 BC - 771 BC	275
Eastern Zhou Dynasty traditionally divided into Spring and Autumn Period Warring States Period	東周 春秋 戰國	dōng zhōu chūn qiū zhàn guó	770 BC - 256 BC 722 BC - 476 BC 475 BC - 221 BC	514 246 254
Qin Dynasty	秦	qín	221 BC - 206 BC	15
Western Han Dynasty	西漢	xī hàn	206 BC - 9 AD	215
Xin Dynasty	新	xīn	9 - 25	16
Eastern Han Dynasty	東漢	dōng hàn	25 - 220	195
Three Kingdoms	三國	sān guó	220 - 265	45
Western Jin Dynasty	西晉	xī jìn	265 - 317	52
Eastern Jin Dynasty	東晉	dōng jìn	317 - 420	103
Northern and Southern Dynasties	南北朝	nán běi cháo	420 - 581	161
Sui Dynasty	隋	suí	581 - 618	37
Tang Dynasty	唐	táng	618 - 907	289
Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms	五代十國	wǔ dài shí guó	907 - 960	53
Northern Song Dynasty	北宋	běi sòng	960 - 1127	167
Southern Song Dynasty	南宋	nán sòng	1127 - 1279	152
Liao Dynasty	遼	liáo	916 - 1125	209
Jin Dynasty	金	jīn	1115 - 1234	119
Yuan Dynasty	元	yuán	1271 - 1368	97
Ming Dynasty	明	míng	1368 - 1644	276
Qing Dynasty	清	qīng	1644 - 1911	267

Chronology of Republic

Republic			Years
Republic of China (ROC)	中华民国	Zhong hua min guo	1911 – 1949	38
People Republic of China (PRC)	中华人民共和国	Zhong hua ren min gong he guo	1949 – present

References : 1. www.wikipedia.com

2. Indonesian – Mandarin Dictionary