Matching five-element furniture to the seasons

Chinese tradition has sorted the world into five elements for thousands of years, and furniture is no exception. Here is how the system assigns materials to each element, and how people born under different elements or in different seasons are traditionally advised to furnish their homes. Read it as cultural background, or as a starting point if feng shui interests you.

The five elements in furniture

Wood covers the widest range: solid wood pieces, leather upholstery and fabric upholstery all count as wood. Fire and water are harder to find in furniture, so they are usually brought in through color and shape. A Le Corbusier chaise longue, with its wave-like curve, is a classic example of a piece with water character.

Earth is ceramic and stone. Today these mostly show up as flooring, and in furniture as the tops of dining tables, coffee tables and sideboards.

Metal is wrought iron and metal-framed furniture. Metal has a modern look and is used widely, and the share of metal in office pieces such as filing cabinets, desks and task chairs keeps growing.

Metal people

If your birth element is metal, ceramic and stone furniture are the first choice, because in the five-element cycle earth produces metal and the two support each other. Metal and wrought-iron pieces come next. Use water-type pieces sparingly, and keep wood furniture to small amounts rather than large surfaces.

Wood people

Water produces wood, but since furniture with water character is rare, blue and black can stand in for it. Fabric, leather and solid-wood furniture all carry wood character and suit you. Gold-toned or metal furniture should be avoided or kept to a minimum; stone and ceramic are fine to consider.

Water people

Metal produces water, so metal furniture is the first choice, and iron or metal-framed pieces can be used generously. Ceramic and stone should be used sparingly, since earth is said to restrain water. Wood furniture is fine in moderation; when you choose fabric, wood or leather pieces, lean toward gold and white. Metal decorative objects work well too, for example a metal, wave-shaped Le Corbusier chaise, or traditional charms such as a Pixiu figurine or a string of five-emperor coins.

Fire people

Fire has almost no restrictions. Wood produces fire, so any amount of wood furniture is welcome, and the element that restrains fire, water, is rarely present in furniture anyway. That leaves the widest choice of all. Stone, ceramic and metal pieces work as small accents.

Earth people

Ceramic and stone tops are a good fit. Wood floors and wood furniture should be reduced, because wood is said to restrain earth, and too much of it drains the element. Earth produces metal, so metal furniture can be used freely. Water can be brought in through color rather than material.

Season of birth

Modern life is busy, and home is where people rest and recharge. In this tradition, furniture that matches your element fills in what your birth chart lacks, keeps the home balanced in feng shui terms and supports a steady household. People born in spring and summer have different needs from those born in autumn and winter. When a household buys with the five elements in mind, the advice is to give priority to the person who earns the most.

Born in autumn (roughly the seventh to ninth lunar months): metal is already strong, so avoid adding more and strengthen wood and fire instead. Use plenty of green, paired with red and orange. Wood furniture and fabric pieces (wood) go with leather and synthetic finishes (fire). Striped patterns on curtains and sofa covers are a good choice. Avoid gold and silver as main colors.

Born in winter (roughly the tenth to twelfth lunar months): water is strong, so fire comes first and wood second. Skip gray and blue, and use bold reds and oranges. Leather furniture, such as a leather sofa, is considered helpful, and triangular shapes in home accessories are also favorable.