The Number of FIVE in“Wu Xing”: A New Interpretation QIAN Han (Cent re for Literature and Art , BNU , Beijing 100875 , China) Abstract :From the 20th century on , the Chinese philosophy has been t rying to interpret the theory of“Wu Xing”(fiveelement s of metal , wood , water , fire and earth) in terms of the meaning of“Xing”, which is considered an abst raction of the material world , and the theory of which is an assimilation of the nature. This paper makes an attempt to give a new interpre2 tation of the theory of“Wu Xing”via the number of“Five”, which has not received due attention from the researchers. It demonst rates that“Five”is not a contingent number but a necessary one from the mathematical and logical perspective. The relationship of“sheng”(promotion) and“ke”(rest riction) determinates a number that is no more or no less but just“Five”in this system , and no other number is as representative as Five. Further , the key to a proper understanding of the theory is not it s assimilation of the nature , but it s logical st ructure. The five element s of metal , wood , water , fire and earth are not merely the symbols of the outer world , but a model of functional system as well.
Key words :theory of“Wu Xing”; inter - promotion ; inter - rest riction ; Chinese Philosophy