The Suggestion of Use Method in the Collaboration

of the Interior Materials by the Five Elements

Focused on the instance which is applied to the residential space
Choi, Eun-Hee*

*Woosuk University, Dept. of Industrial Design, Samrae-eup Jeonju-shi

KOREA, lea70@orgio.net

Abstract: The Five Elements, one of oriental notion, are based on an affinity between the human being and the nature.
The objectives of this study are to understand the Five Elements composed of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water and to
suggest a substantial method for creating a harmonious and balanced environment in the collaboration of the interior
materials by the Five elements. Hereupon, the researcher wants to further explain the substitution of Five Elements into the
interior material and confirm the harmony and balance creatively accomplished with the integration of Five Element
principles. First, the study deals with the concept of Five Elements in a basic literature that exists within the country and
overseas. At second, the Five Elements are approached from a physical property to observe the characteristics and types
that are in correspondence with the interior materials. At third, the general use degree of interior materials in each interior
portion is observed in a literature. This is needed if there is a material mainly used in each part of interior space in order to
find out what is the material accomplishing harmony productively by the relationships of the Five Elements. At fourth, the
study combines the interior materials in correspondence with the Five Elements and examines the ideal use of interior
materials with the application of instances in the residential space. In summary, this research is not to present the result of
quantitative or measured interpretations but rather present a use method that is in collaboration with the interior materials
and focus on the meaning and contents of the combination when the interior materials are incorporated with Five Elements.
Hence, when the interior materials incorporate all the relationships of the Five Elements, a space will accomplish harmony
and balance both with the nature and the universe, thus it will be in tune with the surrounding.
Key words: Five Elements, Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water

1.Introduction
1.1. Backgrounds and purposes
The Differences in the history, culture, and beliefs of a region can shape the way we look at the nature. Hence, the
viewpoint of the West and the viewpoint of the Orient differ from many varying points. The West views the nature to
be conquered while the Orient views the nature to be in unison with a human being. Another Orient viewpoint of the
nature is to form a harmonious relationship between the human being and nature, and it assuredly does not see from
an opposed viewpoint. The close affinity between the human being and the nature compromises the viewpoint of the
Orient. For this reason, the cultivation of the ancient society and the people are closely studied and looked at. The
acients made a living by farming, which meant to fight through the changes in the climate and temperature of the

seasons. The adaptation process through the periodic changes of the climate were described as a day and a night
which sprout the understanding of the natural law. The concept of the Yang and Yin which is the light of a day
and the shade of a night is an example of such a concept. Also, the viewpoint of the nature includes the
understanding the composition of the tools used. Not only the fire had the most useful value in human life, but water,
stonework, lumber, soil, bronze, and iron are also considered as components that compromises the Five Elements.
This Yin Yang and Five Elements are both included in the Chi and they are regarded as a natural element or as a
natural material. Both descriptions portray the ultimate concept of the Chi. When the nature achieves a balanced and
harmonious Chi, it produces a creation and a vital force. Therefore, the objectives of this particular study are to
understand the Five Element- Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water, and to suggest a substantial method to create a
harmonious and balanced environment with the collaboration of the Five Elements into the interior materials.
1.2. Research method
The concept of the Five Elements is one kind of natural philosophy thoughts explaining the Orient view of the
world; it lives in a mutual relationship from each other and the destruction of one side neither creates or develops into
anything. Orients present the relationship of an opposition which becomes a mutual destruction between the Five
Elements. However, in serious consideration, one is affirmed in seeing the overcome of an opposition in other words
a harmony of the mutual creation. Hereupon, the researcher wants to further explain the substitution of the Five
Elements into the interior materials and confirm the harmony and the balance it creatively and productively
accomplishes with the integration of the Five Elements. First, the study deals with the concept of the Five Elements in
a basic literature that exists within the country and overseas. At second, the Five Elements are approached from a
physical property to observe the characteristics and types that are either in correspondence or in difference with the
interior materials. At third, the general use degree of interior materials in each interior portion is observed in a
literature. This is needed if there is a material mainly used in each part of interior space in order to find out what is the
material accomplishing harmony productively by the relationships of the Five Elements. At fourth, the study
combines the interior materials in correspondence with the Five Elements and examines the ideal use or the
composition of interior materials with the application of instances in the residential space.

2. The notion of Five Elements

By the thought of Five Elements based on natural rhythm, all things in the universe revert with five materials of
wood, fire, earth, metal, water and it shapes the complicated motion and change. This five materials are explained as
elements and become the origin of all things formation because of having a meaning that they give a shape to all
things scattered in the universe. Also this five have interdependence and the force of sensitive balance.[5] It indicates
the relationship of each others creation and destruction between Five Elements, and is applied to methodological
means in order to interpret mutual relationships and the change of creation in the things. The Five Elements represent
all visible and invisible things of the universe, we can see them from nature. The tree and the flower represent wood,
the sun represents fire. Our surrounding view is classified by the dominant element in Five Elements. If someone
lives at a lake nearly he is in a water environment, if there is a desert he lives in a fire environment. The building and
the interior also are classified by their dominant element.[6]

2.1. The Five Elements

Wood: the element of spring
The element of a wood has a vertical rising spirits like a tree, namely a nature ascending to the sky. The characters
of a wood include the following: spring, growth, green, high, square, like a tree, and eastern as well as the principal of
the growth and the beginning. Additionally, the forests, jungles, tall trees closely and compactly planted, cultivated
plants, sticks of vast quantity, pillars and columns describe the environment of a wood.
Fire: the element of summer
The element of a fire is expressed with the sun being at the summit. The characters of a fire include the following:
summer, red, south, triangle, sharp-pointed or angular shape, and the inclined roof. A pyramid in Giza, Egypt also is a
typical fire-shaped stucture at the point, which is in a tripodal form typically found in a desert. Also, one possible
reason for the pyramid to be located near Nile River is due to the fire-water matrix shape of the pyramid.
Earth: the element of indian summer
The element of an earth is to provide a calm and stable atmosphere. In terms of time, the earth represents middle of
the afternoon and the middle age of life. In terms of a season, it represents an indian summer which characterizes a
time period in between the passing season. The coloring of the earth is expressed in yellow, the form of the earth is in
square which represents the ground, a box shape, and so forth.
Metal: the element of autumn
The element of a metal corresponds to the atmosphere of an autumn which represents the contracting force. The
elements of a metal are west, white, silver, and a round or a coin-like form. The landscape of a metal is like the round
roof features that can be easily seen in the city of Tuscany, Italy. The round roofs are arched, curved, and doomed
which are built from reinforced concrete, cast iron, steel, and copper.
Water: the element of winter
The element of water is like the flow of water that descends which is same as the spirits of a winter. It is described
as black, deep, dark water in color, and the irregular form of the water is determined by the flow of river or the shapes
of the wave. The products related to the element of water are aquarium, fountains, coolers, and glass objects such as a
flower vase.
Table 1. The notion of Five Elements
Element Wood
Fire
Nature
Creation, nutriment,
Intelligence, vigor
Upward growth
Life of human being
and animal
Virtues
Symbol
Season
Direction
Color
Time
Planet
Plant
Thing

Love of mankind,
Benevolence
Blue dragon
Spring
East
Green
Early morning: youth
Jupiter
High spread
Plant, lumber,
Wood furniture

Earth
Honesty, belief,
Harmony

Metal
Reversal, withdrawal,
Contraction

Reason, etiquette

Reliability

Red phoenix
Summer
South
Red
High noon:
Young adulthood
Mars
Full bloom
Illumination, stove,
Candlelight, brazier

Indian Summer
The center
Yellow (earth tones)
Middle of afternoon:
Middle of life
Saturn
Hang down
Pebble, rock, sand,
Terra cotta

Morality, ethics,
Righteousness
White tiger
Autumn
West
White (gray, silver)
Sunset:
The evening of life
Venus
Coniferous
File cabinet,
computer,

Water
Communication,
Transmission of
idea,
Socialization
Wisdom,
Social activity
Black tortoise
Winter
North
Black
Midnight
Mercury
Whirling
Aquarium, cooler,
Fountain, glass,

Shape

Tall, rectangular,
Oblong columnar

Pointed, slanted,
Sloping, sharp angles

Flat, low, unadorned,

Square, boxy,

Manufactured iron
Round, curved,
Domed: arch, arcade

crystal
Irregular, wavelike

2.2. The three cycles of the elements

Each of the Five Elements hold a peculiar nature and maintain definite reciprocal relationships to each other. The
relationships are classified either Mutual Creation or Mutual Destruction. Mutual Creation exists when one
element produces another element or accomplishs a harmony with another element. In order for the tree to grow,
water has to assist, so in this case, Water and Wood exist mutually to each other. As the fire gets a vital force through
a tree, Wood and Fire exist in a helping relationship. After a tree is burned, the tree goes back to the earth and the ash
remains. Here, Earch and Fire are in a harmonious relationship. The hard iron is formed from the earth and the Metal
obtains the vital force from the Earth. The formation of Water due to the contraction force present in the icy cold
material and a hard iron(Metal) is an example that can be stated Metal makes Water. While Mutual Destruction is
seen when one element demolishes another element ahd they have mutual dislike relationship. Fire is controlled by
Water and a strong fire still cant win in front of a water. Metal is strong, but becomes powerless when it is fused by a
Fire. Wood is cut by the Metal and it goes through Earth and rises. Water is suppressed by the Earth.[1]
Mutual creation is continued and their circulative relationship to one another show the cycle of creation as they
advance through a growth. This represents the cycle of harmony where the elements rotate clockwise and place
themselves in a creative and productive relationship to one another. Compared with the cycle of creation, the cycle
of reduction moves counterclockwise. This relationship diminishes a force but does not destroy. Wood is reduced by
Fire, Fire is decreased by Earth- it is the reason why pebble, tile and other earth materials enclose around fireplaces
and bonfires, The Earth is diminished by Metal, Metal is reduced by Water when it dissolves, and Water is decreased
by Wood when it adsorbs. For the elements in a mutual destruction relationship, they have the force to detroy or
control different elements which can be expressed as the cycle of controldomination. When these elements
collaborated in a certain order, a high energy builds and a dynamic tension occurs between them. This circulation is
important in controlling the environment. The circulation reduce the destructiveness of the element. It is important to
note that there is no element that is destructive by itself.
Table 2. The three cycles of the elements
The Cycle of Creation

The Cycle of Reduction

Wood
Water
Metal

The Cycle of ControlDomination

Wood
Fire
Earth

Wood

Water
Metal

Fire
Earth

Water
Metal

Fire
Earth

3. Use of the interior materials by Five Elements

3.1. The interior material which corresponds to Five Elements
The interior materials are classified largely by natural materials like wood and pebble, processed materials as
bricks, concrete, iron and artificial materials such as a plastic. In this particular study, only the interior materials that

correspond to the Five Elements are studied. Elements that dont exist naturally or syntheically processed materials
will be excluded and only natuarally synthesized or processed materials will be dealt with in this study.
(1) Wood: Wood under the natural condition symbolizes a growth.[8] The Wood material of the Five Elements is
applicable to all wood-made types, not only wood furniture but also natural fiber and fabric such silk, cotton, linen,
and paper, hub, flower, plant.
(2) Fire: The Fire material of the Five Elements is applicable to all types emitting light and heat. There are glossy
fabric, feather, wool, such as an animal product. The representative things of Fire types used mainly for the interior
materials are the fireplaces or the brazier, illumination, the candlelight, and wool-made tapestry or rugs.
(3) Earth: The Earth material of the Five Elements is applicable to all types derived from the ground; namely clay,
brick, concrete, ceramic, tile, marble, sand and rocks. Also, each type of the Earth material feel different in texturescold, hard, tough, warm, smooth, or soft.
(4) Metal: The Metal material of the Five Elements is applicable to all types of metal, that is, in aluninumn,
reinforced concrete, iron, steel, copper and tin. The metal is used widly from handle, kitchen article, illumination to
construct, and for engineering. When the Metal is used with the glass together there exist a tension between the two
elements. When the metal is collaborated with wood or fabric it has a high decorative effect that is gorgeous due to
the contrast of strong textures.
(5) Water: The Water material of the Five Elements is primarily glass and is applicable to all types related types of
mirror, crystal, and water. The reason that the glass is regarded as a valuable material is apparently due to the
formative factor of the trasparency, pliability, lustrous, and so on. When the glass is used with the metal it becomes
cold and sharp, but it also gives off a contemporary feeling for its lustrousness. When the glass is combined with
wood, the coldness of glass and the warmness of the wood are contrasted and the transparency of the glass is
emphasized.
3.2. The use degree of material in the parts of interior
The general use degree of interior materials in each interior portion is observed in a literature (Table 6. Interior
Materials of [9]). This is needed if there is a material mainly used in each part of interior space in order to find out
what is the material accomplishing harmony productively by the relationships of the Five Elements. But, because of
analyzing interior material instance of America in the literature, it has a difference in material used on the current
interior of Korea. According to the contents of the literature, wood and masonry out of the interior materials have the
most high use frequency at the use degree, and clearly the material which corresponds to Five Elements is wood,
masonry, metals, and glass. When the researcher observes the use degree of the each portion, it is stated in the
literature that the wood and masonry are mainly used on the floors, walls, and stairs. Masonry is the most frequent
used material on the columns. On the doors, trim and built-in furniture wood are mostly used. On the fireplaces,
masonry and metals are frquently used to control the nature of a Fire. In the bathroom fixtures wood, masonry, metal
and glass are equally used. Lastly, in the kitchen fixtures wood and metal are mainly used. Then the researcher tries to
observe what type of the materials are used generally on the fireplaces that are Fire elements, and apparently, in the
bathroom that is a Water space, and the kitchen that is a Fire and Water space, and the type of material collaboration
accomlishing the harmony of mutual creation by the Five elements in the next 3.3.

3.3. The collaboration of interior materials by the relationships of Five Elements

To observe the use of the interior materials from the viewpoint of the Five Elements, the balance and harmony in
entire space beyond the functional and asthetic aspects of material selection is a standard. In order to achieve balance
and harmony in a perfect environment or a space, it must contain the Five Elements which work or operate together. If
one element dominates a space or an environment, there presents imbalance and discord in the space with the excess
of one element.[6] Consequently, the factor to make a successful space is to have a balance of the Five Elements.
When too much of one element in the space means that there are hardly any different elements present. When a space
contains all Five Elements, the space resembles a nature. But, the relationship between Five Elements must be
considered. Use of the interior materials by the relationships of the Five Elements are collaborated with two or more
dominant elements in the space. Therefore, the relationships of the Five Elements gets accomplished between the two
elements:
(1) Wood + Fire
Wood against Fire has a harmonious relationship of a mutual creation in the cycle of creation. While, the Fire
against the wood element has the relationship where the Fire does not destory it but diminishes its force. If in a given
environment, Wood is not sufficiently present than it can be simply replaced with flowers, plants, green fixtures or
plant photographs. On the other hand, if in a given environment Wood is many, it is diminished with the use of Fire
element because Wood is decreased by a Fire in the cycle of reduction. Symbolically, it will be able to be added with
a burning incense, a candlelight which puts out the light, electric illumination, red flowers, and red color.
In considering the harmonious relationship between the
Wood and the Fire, the use of the wood material frequently
in the kitchen fixtures is regarded suitable. In this case, if
the Earth element; marble or limeston, granite is used on the
floor or work tabletop in the kitchen, the relationship of the
mutual creation, namely, Wood, Fire, and Earth in a
productive cycle will be accomplished. This belongs to a
collaborative type plentifully used in the interior materials
of the kitchen. < Figure 1>: from p.129 of [7]
Fig.1 Wood+Fire

Fig.2 Wood+Earth

(2) Wood + Earth

The relationship of Wood and Earth is destructive in the cycle of controldomination. If Earth is many in a
surrounding environment, it is suppressed by adding Wood element. A dining room in < Figure 2>: from p.115 of [7]
is composed of wood flooring on the floor, wood-made furniture(Wood) and concrete block on the wall(Earth). When
there are only Wood and Earth it is the relationship of destruction, but Fire element, three layered paper lantern
hanging over a dining table, helps to be in reciprocally productive relationship of three element(Wood, Fire, Earth).
Additionally as the paper lattern was made with big sacle of circle, it lightens hard rigidity being visible from
materials and finishes on the floor and wall.
(3) Wood + Metal

The relationship of Wood and Metal is a destructive one. If there are too much Wood
in surroundings, the spirits of Wood is diminished with the metal. And the material
combination of warm wood and cold hard metal forms heterogeneous feeling and
dynamic tension. In < Figure 3> : from p.119 of [7] all of floor finishes, furniture,
accessories belong to Wood element except white painted wall(Metal) and a circular
column(Metal) made by bule tone (Water) metal. Accomplishing a relative equal balance
from Wood and Metal in this space is using Metal for the suppression of Wood. Also
adding blue Water element as a medinum let the space not to be in destuctive relationship
making the cycle of harmony, MetalWaterWood. The collaboration of Wood and Metal
is able to see generally from the table, chair, lumber stairway and hahdrail.

Fig.3 Wood+Metal

(4) Wood + Water

Water against the wood element is in a harmonious relationship of the creative cycle comparable to the nutriment
given to a tree. Wood against the water element is the relationship that plays a diminishing force by absorbing water.
According to the literature in the 3.2., the bathroom fixtures are made evenly with Wood,
Earth, Metal, and Water material. Among them Wood is the material which controls the
Water element to be not excessively used in the bathroom. The water environment but
does not create a destructive relationship. And the main materials of a dining room in <
Figure 4>: from p.69 of [7] are woods and glass, and the metal element is used in small
quantity in the dining table. The blue toned painting and glass as the water element create
a balance equally with the wood element used on the floors and the furnitures. The water
element that are more activating woods are in accordance with the wood element. What is
more, glass dining tabletop managed with two layers and metal support are consonant
owing the relationship of Metal and Water in a creative cycle.

Fig.4 Wood+Water

(5) Fire + Earth

Earth against the fire element has the relationship which Earth decreases the spirits of a Fire. Consequently, when
one wants to reduce the fire element in a given environment, it can be diminished by putting the ceramic wares, the
mud tiles and other earth materiasl or colors. The rational reason why the tile and soil materials are used with the First
construction element in hot regions is that earth material prevents the heat of the sun. Also in a same manner,
masonary, the earth element is often used in the fireplaces (see text 3.2). On the other hand, Fire strengthens Earth.
Fire against the earth element is creative and productive, making the growth and development of Earth sprits to be
strenghtened. If the earth element is few, it is advised not only to place yellowish earth elements or the earth-made
articles in small quantity more but also to add the fire element such as a leather which is an animal product, wool, oil
lamp, incense, candle or things with the red color.
(6) Fire + Metal
The relationship of Fire and Metal is destructive belonging to the cycle of controldomination. In general, a kitchen
is a residential space where many things are made from metal as stated in the text 3.2. In a environment that are
excessive in Metal, it can be managed by putting fire elements, brazier, candle, incense, red flower vase, gold or brass

candlestick, electric stove, and so forth. But using the tiles, the earth element on the wall or the tabletop adjacent to
the cooktop overcomes an opposed relationship of the two elements; Fire and Metal in the kitchen and will form the
creative cycle of FireEarthMetal.
(7) Fire + Water
The relationship of Fire and Water corresponds the mutual destruction. Addition of
the water element reduces the vitality of the Fire. For example, one can know it from the
fact that there is a pool or a fountain at the entrance of Hecienda, Mexico. The water
elements are appended by placing water vessels, glass products, pictures of an ocean or a
lake as well as a fountain. In < Figure 5>: from p.117 of [7], the color and fluid pasting
form of the cobaltblue tile symbolly represent Water and it shows a strong image with
33m(1010feet) big wall in the kitchen. The earth and water element of the cobaltblue
tile contrasts dramatically with the white cook space in the kitchen. This is applying the

Fig.5 Fire+Water

productive relationship of Fire and Earth in the cycle of creation and the destructive relationship of Fire and Water in
the cycle of controldomination.
(8) Earth + Metal
Metal against the earth element has a reducing relationship on the earth spirits. Earth against the metal element is
creative and productive. In a given environment, if there are too much Earth present, the more balanced surroundings
arrange themselves by putting similar types of the metal such as silver and brass, or place a reflective object or place
white in the surrounding. Also, the placement of plants or green, or the wood element decreases the imbalance of
Earth according to the cycle of controldomination. Meanwhile, if there are few Earth, add
the earth element such as sand or rock gardens and use the rock, pebble jar, marble, statue,
gold color, orange, ocher, yellow, and etc.
(9) Earth + Water
The relationship of Earth and Water is a destructive one belonging to the cycle of
controldomination. Wood in controlling the water element can diminish the effect of
Water and not destroying Water. In comparison, if there is overwhelming and too much
active water, one can absorb vitality of the water by using the earth element. This
similarity can be demonstrated in using sand bags to defend the overflowing river. In the
Fig.6 Earth+Water

bathroom of < Figure 6>: from p.93 of [7], a upper-opened shower booth is designed with

a round type(Metal) using a marble(Earth). The floor and wall are composed of tiles(Earth) and mirror(Water), and
bathroom hardwares are made by metal. In brief, the bathroom consists of Earth, Metal, Water and these three
elements make a productive relationship in the cycle of creation.
(10) Metal + Water
Water against the metal element is the relationship that it reduces the spirits of the metal, Metal against the water
element is a creative and productive relationship. To decrease the metal element, one puts the things related to the
water such as a water garden, a fountain or a water vessel. Also another method is to add the earth element such as
sand, rocks, tiles for creating a more balanced environment according to the relationship of Earth and Metal. Metal

and Water is harmonious. Many buildings of Manhatten, a island surrounded with water in New York are built by
steel(Metal) and glass(Water) and generally these skyscrapers flourish and lasting.
Accordingly, a collaboration of interior materials by the three cycles of the Five Elements is desirable toward an
affirmative and a harmonious environment to accomplish a mutual creation. Adding insufficient elements or
eliminating excessive elements in a given surroundings can be a remedy in creating a more balanced environment.
An appropriate material selection in a given space with the matching concept is a foremost step. Then, combine
materials which follow the law of a mutual creation using the relationships listed in the <Table 3> below. Also in an
existing space, if too many elements are present, eliminate the element or apply the lower relationship of a reduction
or a controldomination. When an element is insufficiently present, add an element or rearrange materials by the lower
relationships of a creation.

4. Synthesis
The Five Elements make interactions in a creative or destructive manner. There is no destructive element by itself.
Each of the Five Elements play special role in our environment and they are important for the balance and harmony.
One can recreate the nature in the interior space using color, shape, or material of the Five Elements. Also in a
existing space, if there is a insufficient element it is possible to rearrange and fix the space by applying the
relationships of the Five Elements. In <Table 3>, the relationships, materials, interior spaces, ideal uses according to
the characteristics of the Five Elements are suggested and synthesized for making a mutual creative space with the
balance and harmony. The instances which are presented in this study are mainly the interiors of a residential space
but for the wide applications of various environments hereafter, not only housing space of interior and exterior was
studied but also many diverse spaces in the interior space and ideal uses were also mentioned in this study.
5. Conclusion
The thought of the Five Elements is one of the theoretical systems that explains a world from the Orients
traditional society. The central object of the Five Element is a nature. It is able to know easily at the point of a notion
starting from the simple words on a nature originally indicating Water, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Wood. Nevertheless,
Five Elements have expanded an objective territory to human and history beyond the nature commonly. In this study
the researcher defines Five Elements within the range of the nature from an original concept and suggests a method to
synthesize a creative productive space linking Five Elements with the interior materials. Here, to understand their
characteristics and relationships, it is essential to create harmony and balance in all spaces. When the interior
materials incorporate all the relationships of the Five Elements, a space will accomplish harmony and balance both
with the nature and the universe, thus it will be perfectly in tune with the surrounding. It can see from the fact that
nature maintains a harmony and a balance through the collaboration of Five Elements-Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal,
Water which maintain an order and a structure. Though Five Elements are a traditional thought of Korea, it is a pity to
suggest designed instances applied to the residential space of Americans by the Five Elements in this dissertation.
Also when the researcher analyzed the contents of the data which are published in United States, Europe, China, and
Hong Kong, insufficient resources and studies were found, so hereafter, more systematic research is necessary.

Table 3: Synthesis
Elements
Creative
Relation

Wood
Fire
(Wood creates fire)

Fire
Earth
(Fire creates earth)

Earth
Metal
(Earth creates metal)

Metal
Water
(Metal creates water)

Water
Wood
(Water creates wood)

Reductive
relation
Destructive
relation
Remedy
element to
creative
relationship

Water
(Wood reduces water)
Earth
(Wood consumes earth)
Fire
(Wood, Fire, Earth)
-e.g., apply to
kitchen (fire space)

Wood
(Fire reduces wood)
Metal
(Fire melts metal)
Earth
(Fire, Earth, Metal)
-e.g., apply to
fireplace

Earth
(Metal reduces earth)
Wood
(Metal cuts wood)
Water
(Metal, Water, Wood)
-e.g., apply to
bathroom (water
space)

Metal
(Water reduces metal)
Fire
(Water puts out fire)
Wood
(Water, Wood, Fire)
-e.g., apply to kitchen
(water space)

Interior
materials

-All wood-made types

-Natural fiber, fabric
(silk, cotton, linen)
-Vegetable, fruit,
hurb, flower, plant

-All types of metal:

aluminum, reinforced
concrete, iron, steel
tin, copper

-All types related with

water
-Glass

Interior
spaces

Dining room, child

room, bed room

-Animal products
including feather &
wool
-Things
emitting
light
& heat
Kitchen, fireplace

Fire
(Earth reduces fire)
Water
(Earth absorbs water)
Metal
(Earth, Metal, Water)
-e.g., apply to
bathroom (water
space), stairs mainly
used earth material
-All types from earth
-Sand, clay, marble,
concrete
-Brick, tile, stucco,
terracotta
Inner countryards,
Storage areas, garages

Shape of
building
Ideal uses

Rectangular forms

Triangle form

Square form

Workplaces
where
tools are used, metal
sinks
Circular form

Bathroom, laundry,
Kitchen, wine cellars,
Spa, pond, fountain
Irregular form

-All spaces related

with creativity,
growth, nutriment
-Artists workplace
-Places related with
wood or plants
-Restaurant, cafe

-Places of learning:
library, school
-Spaces involved in
design & fashion
-Places
manufacturing
fire or chemicals
-Veterinary clinics

-Hospital, government
building that need to
perceived as solid
-Tombs, storages
-Spaces producing or
selling
ceramics,
farming, agriculture
-Banks and financial
institutions

-Spaces dealing with

financial or civic
concerns
-Places manufacturing
metal jewelry, knives,
hardware

-Spaces involved in
the transmission of
ideas: publisher, art
gallery, broadcasting
-Spaces
involving
liquids & fluids such
as refinery, breweries

A further study in the Five elements will help in solving the following: First, during the comparion of a building
and a circumference of an envioronment for a harmony, Secondly, when selecting the environment to improve the
life of the residents, Thirdly, when re-creating the natural features with the material which corresponds to the Five
Elements, Fourthly, when improving an imbalanced disharmonious environment using color, form, and material, and
so forth. To correspond or substitute the interior material with one or more of the Five elements concept is the
Orients viewpoint of the world. However, this viewpoint is not only a result of the quantitaive or measured
interpretations for creating a balanced and harmonious environment but it remains meaningful that one can apply the
design concept of the mutual creation to many types of the plan.

References
1. Si-Ik Park: Feng Shui and Archtecture of Korea, Ilbit, Seoul, 48-50(1999).
2. Sarah Rossbach: Interior design with Feng Shui, Penguin/Arkana, New York, 6-17(2000).
3. Richard Webster: Feng Shui for Apartment Living, Llewellyn, St. Paul, 1-16(1999).
4. Gunther Sator: Feng Shui-Leben und Wohnen in Harmonie, G+U, 31-37(1999).
5. Kristen M. Lagatree: Feng Shui at Work-Arranging your work space for peak performance and maximum profit,
Villard, New York, 26(1998).

6. Angel Thompson: Feng Shui-How to achieve the most harmonious arrangment of your home and office, St.
Martins Griffin, New York, 3-120(1996).
7. Carol Soucek King: Feng Shui at home, PBC, New York, 69-129(1999).

8. Jane Edwards: Asian Elements-Natural Balance in Eastern Design, Soma, San Francisco, 69(1999).
9. John F. Pile: Interior Design, Prentice Hall/Abrams, New York, 206-207(1995).