The theory of the Five Elements holds that all things in the universe are composed of the elements of the Five Elements, and there is a relationship between them that generates and suppresses each other. Xiangsheng refers to the breeding, promoting, and promoting effects of one element on another element, such as wood generating fire, fire generating soil, earth generating gold, metal generating water, water generating wood, etc. Xiangke refers to the constraining, limiting, and inhibitory effect of one element on another, such as wood conquering earth, fire conquering gold, earth conquering water, gold conquering wood, water conquering fire, etc. The Five Elements Theory reveals the mutual restraint and interdependence among all things in the universe through this relationship of mutual generation and restraint.
五行学说认为，宇宙万物都是由五行元素所构成，并且五行之间存在着相生相克的关系。相生是指一种元素对另一种元素的滋生、促进和助长作用，如木生火、火生土、土生金、金生水、水生木等。相克是指一种元素对另一种元素的制约、限制和抑制作用，如木克土、火克金、土克水、金克木、水克火等。五行学说通过这种相生相克的关系，揭示了宇宙万物之间的相互制约、相互依存的关系。