木德温和政舒启，其令宣发化生荣，其变烈风云物飞，其灾摧拔殒落零。
【注】木主春，故其德温暖柔和也。春气发，故其政舒展打开也。春气升，故其令宣
发也。春主生，故其化生荣也。春主风，故其变烈风而云物飞扬，此风之胜也。木胜不
已，则为摧折拔殒，散落飘零之灾也。
火德彰显化蕃茂，其令为热政曜明，其变灾烈水泉涸，其灾焦灼萎枯形。
【注】火主夏，故其德彰着昭显也。夏主长，故其化蕃秀茂盛也，夏阳盛，故其令热
也。夏阳外，故其政光明显曜也。夏主热，故其变炎光赫烈而水泉干涸，此热之胜也。火
胜不已，则为万物焦灼，草萎木枯之灾也。
土德溽蒸政安静，其令云雨其化丰，其变阴埃震骤注，其灾霖雨岸堤崩。
【注】土主长夏，故其德溽蒸热也。土主静，故其政安静也。长夏气濡，故其令云雨
也。土气浓，故其化万物丰备也。长夏主湿，故其变阴晦烟埃震雷，骤注豪雨，此湿之胜
也。土胜不已，则为久霖淫雨，溃岸崩堤之灾也。
金德清洁政劲切，其化紧敛令露膏，其变肃杀霜早降，其灾苍干草木凋。
【注】金主秋，故其德清凉皎洁也。秋气肃，故其政肃劲齐切也。秋主收，故其化紧
收敛缩也。秋主露，故其令露膏万物也。秋主燥，故其变肃寒早霜杀物，此燥之胜也。金
胜不已，则为苍枯，草木凋零之灾也。
水德凄沧政坚肃，其化清谧其令寒，其变凛冽寒太甚，其灾冰雹霜雪连。
【注】水主冬，故其德凄沧而寒也。冬气固，故其政坚凝肃劲也。冬主藏，故其化清
冷静谧也。冬主寒，故其变凛冽，寒气太盛，此寒之胜也。水胜不已，则为冰雪霜雹之灾也。
The virtue of Wood is gentle and mild, its administration unfolds and opens; its qi mechanism promotes dissemination, transforming into the flourishing growth of all things; its changes manifest as fierce winds and flying clouds and objects; its disasters manifest as destruction, uprooting, falling, and withering.
[Note] Wood corresponds to Spring, thus its virtue is warm and soft. The Qi of Spring arises, thus its administration is expansive and open. The Qi of Spring ascends, thus its mechanism promotes dissemination. Spring governs growth, thus its transformation brings forth flourishing prosperity. Spring governs Wind, thus its changes involve fierce winds and the soaring of clouds and objects; this is the excess of Wind. If Wood's excess continues unchecked, it results in disasters of breaking, uprooting, falling, scattering, and withering.
The virtue of Fire is conspicuous and manifest, transforming into the abundant luxuriance of all things; its administration is heat, shining brightly; its changes manifest as severe disasters and dried-up springs; its disasters manifest as scorching and withered forms.
[Note] Fire corresponds to Summer, thus its virtue is prominent and clear. Summer governs growth, thus its transformation brings forth beauty and lushness. The Yang of Summer is vigorous, thus its qi mechanism is heat. The Yang of Summer extends outward, thus its administration is bright and radiant. Summer governs Heat, thus its changes involve blazing light and dried-up springs; this is the excess of Heat. If Fire's excess continues unchecked, it results in disasters of scorching all things, withering grass, and dying trees.
The virtue of Earth is humid and steaming, its administration is tranquil; its qi mechanism involves clouds and rain, transforming into the abundance of all things; its changes manifest as gloomy haze, thunder, and sudden heavy rain; its disasters manifest as continuous torrential rain and collapsing banks and dikes.
[Note] Earth corresponds to Late Summer, thus its virtue is humid and hot. Earth governs stillness, thus its administration is quiet. The Qi of Late Summer is moist, thus its qi mechanism involves clouds and rain. The Qi of Earth is dense, thus its transformation brings forth fullness and preparedness for all things. Late Summer governs Dampness, thus its changes involve gloominess, haze, thunder, and sudden pouring rain; this is the excess of Dampness. If Earth's excess continues unchecked, it results in disasters of prolonged excessive rain, bursting banks, and collapsing dikes.
The virtue of Metal is clean and pure, its administration is firm and cutting; its transformation is tight and contracting, its qi mechanism is dew and grease; its changes manifest as solemn killing and early frost descending; its disasters manifest as pale dryness and withering of vegetation.
[Note] Metal corresponds to Autumn, thus its virtue is cool and clear. The Qi of Autumn is solemn, thus its administration is firm and precise. Autumn governs gathering, thus its transformation is tight and contracting. Autumn governs Dew, thus its qi mechanism provides dew and moisture to all things. Autumn governs Dryness, thus its changes involve cold solemnity and early frost killing living things; this is the excess of Dryness. If Metal's excess continues unchecked, it results in disasters of desiccation and withering of plants and trees.
The virtue of Water is bleak and cold, its administration is solid and austere; its transformation is clear and tranquil, its qi mechanism is cold; its changes manifest as biting cold and excessive cold energy; its disasters manifest as hail, frost, and snow continuing in succession.
[Note] Water corresponds to Winter, thus its virtue is bleak and cold. The Qi of Winter is solid, thus its administration is firm and austere. Winter governs storage, thus its transformation is clear, calm, and tranquil. Winter governs Cold, thus its changes involve biting cold and excessive cold energy; this is the excess of Cold. If Water's excess continues unchecked, it results in disasters of ice, snow, frost, and hail.