Five symbolic entities, often translated into English as “elements,” are known in Chinese as wu hsing and more appropriately interpreted as “five states of change” or “five forces.” The five states of change are: water, fire, wood, metal and earth. These five states of change also have correspondences to the five (Chinese) cardinal points of the compass and the five seasons, the center (earth) being added to the West's traditional four directions/seasons.
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Beth Ames Swartz
States of Change:
States of Change #2 (yellow)
acrylic, gold leaf and mixed media on shaped canvas
36" x 48" (1.22m x 0.91m)
1999 |
