The liver is seen as analogous to wood because liver qi has an ascending nature. The heart is seen as analogous to fire because heart yang brings about warmth. The spleen is seen as analogous to earth because it is responsible for digestion and transportation. The lungs are analogous to metal because of their descending nature. The kidneys are analogous to water because they regulate the circulation of water.
The attributes of the five elements can be seen in other matters and phenomena. For example, Basic Questions says, "Wind originates from the east in spring, when trees and grass germinate. At this time fruit is still green and sour. Sour and tendons are related to the liver..." For this reason, east, wind, wood, and sourness are all connected with the liver. Consequently, some people believe that the theory of the five elements gives expression to the analogous relationship between man and nature. The following table shows the classification of some of the most common of these phenomena.
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