Five Elements

I've been reading more into Chinese medicine from the Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine Fundamental Principles book by Huisheng Xie and Vanessa Preast. One of the components I found fascinating is the five elements. They originated from the seasons and a way to explain the natural phenomena. Later this system became the fountain of traditional Chinese medicine practice and the relationship among the body's internal organs.

Wood
This element represents spring time and green, as well as wind. Other characteristics of wood include sour, anger, shouting, germination.

Body parts: liver, eyes, tendons, feet, nails, tears, and sides of the tongue
Personal: dominant, aggressive, competitive, confident, fearless, adaptive, intolerant
Physical: thin body, big eyes, wiry pulse, runs quick, nimble
Unbalanced diseases: aggression, irritability, stressed, liver problems, eye problems, seizures, allergies, hypertension, stroke
Recommended foods for balance: chicken, pig liver, green veggies, carrots, citrus fruits

Fire
This element represents the summer and redness. Other characteristics of fire include south, bitter, joy, laughter, growth, and walking.

Body parts: heart, small intestines, tongue, blood, complexion, tip of the tongue
Personal: Easily excited, friendly and playful, sensitive, noisy and talkative, enjoys attention and physical contact
Physical: Strong body, small head, red face, fast pulse, runs fast
Unbalanced diseases: Hyperactive,high stung, insanity, cardiovascular diseases, ulcers, stroke, sudden death
Recommended foods for balance: pork heart, fish, brown rice, wheat, spinach, celery and mushrooms

Earth
This element represents the late summer harvest and yellow. Other characteristics include center, sweet, thinking, worry, transformation, and sitting.

Body parts: spleen, stomach, mouth, lips, taste, muscles, vomiting, center of the tongue
Personal: mother, laid back, easy going, friendly, sweet, slow moving, humble and kind
Physical: Short, sturdy, big head, prominent musculature, brown hair, thick lips, slow pulse
Unbalanced diseases: Excessive worry, obesity, muscle atrophy, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, edema
Recommended foods for balance: rumen, lamb, chicken, ginger, garlic, and sweet potatos

Metal
This element represents the autumn, dryness, and white. It is considered to be light and superficial. Other characteristics iunclude west, pungent, grief, sadness, collection, reclining.

Body parts: lung, large intestines, skin, respiration, coughing, wheezing, and the mid-tip of the tongue
Personal: Aloof, independent, organized, quiet, confident
Physical: broad forehead, big and wide nose, broad chest, good hair coat
Unbalanced diseases: excessive sadness, nasal congestion, upper airway infection, cough, constipation
Recommended foods for balance: eggs, duck, barley, tofu, rice

Water
This element represents the winter, cold, and darkness. Other characteristics include north, salty, fear, storing, and standing.

Body parts: kidney, bladder, bones, hearing, and the rear part of the tongue
Personal: quiet, timid, introverted, solitary, hesitant, fearful, observant
Physical: thin, black hair, deep big eyes, cold intolerance, deep pulse
Unbalanced diseases: withdrawal, fear, kidney and bladder issues, arthritis, premature aging, back pain
Recommended foods for balance: pork kidney, eggs, duck, mussels, sweet potato, and black beans

Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine fundamental principles 2nd edition 

The elements are connected to reach other in a certain order, and connected elements can promote or inhibit each other. When the five elements are balanced, the body is healthy.