Classical element
The Greek classical elements are fire, air, water, and earth. In Greek philosophy, science and medicine, these make up a whole.
- Fire is both hot and dry.
- Air is both hot and wet.
- Water is both cold and wet.
- Earth is both cold and dry.
The image below has two squares on top of each other. The corners of one are the classical elements. The corners of the other are the properties.
Galen said these elements were used by Hippocrates to describe the human body. The elements are linked to the four humours: phlegm (water), yellow bile (fire), black bile (earth), and blood (air).
In Chinese Taoism the elements are metal, wood, water, fire, earth (
Classical Element Media
Leibniz's representation of the universe as a result of the combination of Aristotle's four elements
Rococo set of personification figurines of the Four Elements, 1760s, Chelsea porcelain
The concept of five classical elements in the traditional Meitei religion (Sanamahism)
The four classical elements, after Aristotle.
alchemical symbol for fire
alchemical symbol for air
alchemical symbol for water
Alchemical earth symbol (fixed width)
The four classical elements of Empedocles and Aristotle illustrated with a burning log. The log releases all four elements as it is destroyed.
- Hippocrates
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金、木、水、火、土).
Traditionally, only four classical elements were thought to exist. Later a fifth element, known as the luminiferous aether also known as quintessence was thought to be the final element.