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Question # 13 : "Incompatibility" between the five elements.
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Question — I was told that of the five elements, there usually is one or more that is not compatible with the other. Is that so? Do you have any information on that statement?
Answer — To answer your question, one should know what you mean exactly by "incompatibility" between the five elements.
As a general rule, one speaks of "destructive" influence of one element on another. Thus, Water has a "destructive" influence on Fire, or Metal has a "destructive" influence on Wood. In fact, any of the five elements can be destroyed by one and only one other element. But on the other hand, any of the five elements can be "helped" by two and only two other neutralizing elements. The following table summarizes the situation:
| DESTROYED ELEMENTS |
DESTRUCTIVE ELEMENTS |
NEUTRALIZING ELEMENTS |
| Wood |
Metal |
Fire, Water |
| Fire |
Water |
Wood, Earth |
| Earth |
Wood |
Fire, Metal |
| Metal |
Fire |
Water, Earth |
| Water |
Earth |
Wood, Metal |
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