Water Element

Water Element (chu)

• One of the five elements according to the system of elemental divination. The water element is symbolised by a blue circle, numerically represented by the number three, and located in the north of the turtle divination chart, along with the trigram Kham, the mouse and pig signs, Moon, Mercury, and the six northern constellations. Water is described as flowing and its function is one of mollification, inherent in a diet of liquid refreshments including wine and water, while within the body it is represented by the blood, serum and kidneys. Socially, water relates to the labouring classes, to Bon-po priests, sisters and female in-laws. If the hour of a person's birth is governed by the water destiny element, it is predicted that he or she will be of dark complexion, of a Bon-po or village family background, loud-voiced, whimsical, and lacking in reliable supporters. Vocally water is said to cause labial sounds to be articulated, and those with a preponderance of the water element may characteristically have hair growing on the occiput or a cleft palate. In cases of ill-health an imbalance of water is indicated by the agitation of serpentine water spirits (nāga) and imprecatory female spirits (ma mo), as well as by cold diseases and ailments of the lower part of the body. GD (from the Glossary to Tibetan Elemental Divination Paintings)