The term "five elements" refers to the ancient Chinese philosophy of Wu Xing, which describes the cyclical interactions of five fundamental substances that make up the universe. In traditional Chinese medicine, the five elements are believed to correspond to organs, emotions, and even seasons. While "five elements" is the most common way to refer to this concept in English, there are a number of synonyms. Some of these include "five phases," "five movements," "five agents," "five energies," and "five forces." Each of these terms reflects a slightly different perspective on the interplay between the five elements, but ultimately they all describe the same foundational principles.