THE FIVE PHASES
Wood · 木 (mù)
Wood names growth, branching and renewal.
Go deeper: the full reference
The idea in context
The Five Phases describe changing processes and relationships, not five literal substances or a measure of someone's essence. Wood offers a lens for beginnings, structure that grows, and the care growth needs.
An example to picture
A Wood question for a new project is whether its roots and direction are clear.
A question to sit with
What could grow if its foundation were strengthened?
Native app reference
The original examples describe Synastry’s date-only native year reader. This web guide does not calculate a placement or a Four Pillars chart.
Keep the calendar convention in view
The website offers these educational readings. Synastry’s native year reader uses a civil date and Lunar New Year; it is separate from a full Four Pillars or BaZi chart. Begin with the convention before comparing year labels.
Sources and conventions
These references identify the calendar or historical method used in this guide. Keep the named convention in view when comparing other traditions.
Hong Kong Observatory — Gregorian–Lunar Calendar Conversion Tables ↗ · Calendar reference covering 1901–2100, including leap months and cautions near midnight boundaries. The Synastry native reader uses its separately disclosed date-only Lunar New Year convention; this website provides the educational guide.