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Many ancient philosophies used a set of archetypal classical elements to explain patterns in nature. The Greek version of these ideas dates from pre-Socratic times and persists throughout the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance, deeply influencing European thought and culture; but the concept is far older in the Far East, and was widely disseminated in India and China, where it forms the basis of both Buddhism and Hinduism, particularly in an esoteric context. The modern scientific periodic table of the elements and the understanding of combustion (fire) can be considered successors to such early models. Classical elements in Greece The Greek classical elements are Fire, Earth, Air, and Water. They represent in Greek philosophy, science, and medicine the realms of the cosmos wherein all things exist and whereof all things consist. The ancient Greek word for element (stoicheion) literally meant "syllable", the basic unit from which a word is formed. Plato mentions the elements as of Pre-Socratic origin, a list created by the Ionic philosopher Empedocles (ca. 450 BC). Empedocles called these the four "roots"; the term "element (stoicheion)" was used only by later writers. One classic diagram (right) has two squares on top of each other, with the corners of one being the classical elements, and the corners of the other being the properties. According to Galen, these elements were used by Hippocrates in describing the human body with an association with the four humours: yellow bile (Fire), black bile (Earth), blood (Air), and phlegm (Water). Some cosmologies include a fifth element, the "aether" or "quintessence." These five elements are sometimes associated with the five platonic solids. The Pythagoreans added idea as the fifth element, and also used the initial letters of these five elements to name the outer angles of their pentagram. Aristotle added aether as the quintessence, reasoning that whereas Fire, Earth, Air, and Water were earthly and corruptible, since no changes had been perceived in the heavenly regions, the stars cannot be made out of any of the four elements but must be made of a different, unchangeable, heavenly substance . The word aether was revived by late 19th century physicists as a term for the proposed invisible medium which permeated the universe, the luminiferous aether. Some occultists associate modern possible states of matter with classical element types: solid (Earth), liquid (Water), gas (Air), or plasma (Fire). By extension, more exotic phases of matter (such as Bose-einstein condensate) are sometimes seen as representative forms of a fifth element (Aether). In 1987 composer Robert Steadman wrote a chamber symphony each movement of which musically depicts the characteristics of the Ancient Greek elements: Fire, Water, Wind and Earth. Classical elements in China In Taoism there is a similar system of elements, which includes Metal and Wood, but excludes Air. The five major planets are associated with and named after the elements: Venus is Metal, Jupiter is Wood, Mercury is Water, Mars is Fire, and Saturn is Earth. Additionally, the Moon represents Yin, and the Sun represents Yang. Yin, Yang, and the five elements are recurring themes in the I Ching, the oldest of Chinese classical texts which describes an ancient system of cosmology and philosophy. Classical elements in Hinduism The Pancha Mahabhuta, or "five great elements", of Hinduism are Prithvi or Bhumi (Earth), Ap or Jala (Water), Agni or Tejas (Fire), Vayu or Pavan (Air or Wind), and Akasha (Aether). Classical elements in Discordianism In Discordian tradition, the five basic elements are Sweet, Boom, Pungent, Prickle, and Orange. The days of the week in the Discordian calendar are named after these elements. Classical elements in early Buddhism In the Pali literature, the mahabhuta ("great elements") or catudhatu ("four elements") are earth, water, fire and air. In early Buddhism, the Four Elements are a basis for understanding suffering and for liberating oneself from suffering. Classical elements in Japan Japanese traditions use a set of elements called the 五大 (go dai, literally "five great"). These five are earth, water, fire, wind, and void. These came from Buddhist beliefs; the classical Chinese elements (五行, go gyô) are also prominent in Japanese culture. Classical elements during the Middle Ages During medieval times, the idea of the classical elements was known. Just as the Aristotelian dogma was related to the Greek world view, the idea of classical elements in the Middle Ages composed a large part of the medieval world view. The Catholic Church supported the Aristotelian concept of aether because it supported the Christian view of earthly life as impermanent and heaven as eternal. References to the classical elements in medieval literature are numerous and can be seen in the work of many writers, including William Shakespeare: Thou hast as chiding a nativity As fire, air, water, earth, and heaven can make, To herald thee from the womb -PERICLES, from Pericles Prince of Tyre I have heard The cock, that is the trumpet to the morn, Doth with his lofty and shrill-sounding throat Awake the god of day, and at his warning, Whether in sea or fire, in earth or air, Th' extravagant and erring spirit hies To his confine. -HORATIO, from Hamlet, Prince of Denmark Astrology and the classical elements Astrology has used the concept of classical elements from antiquity up until the present. Most modern astrologers use the four classical elements extensively, and indeed it is still viewed as a critical part of interpreting the astrological chart. Tarot and the classical elements The tarot suits of cups, swords, wands and pentacles may be taken as corresponding to water, air, fire, and earth respectively. These correspond in the modern deck of playing cards to hearts, spades, clubs, and diamonds. This is certainly true in horoscopes. The fire signs are very interested in power and resisting power. The air signs are interested in ideas. The suit of wands is creativity, the budding leaf. The suit of swords is all about power and force. Personality psychology|Psychology, physics and the classical elements Overview Classical elements in popular culture The classical elements are often used together thematically in modern fantasy, literature, movies, television shows, and comic books. Typically, a magic wielder has the ability to influence one of the elements, or can use the elements to affect the world around him. See also Notes | |||||||
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