Page 135 - A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols BIG Book

A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols 128
Traditional Chinese medicine is based on various relationships and objects
arranged in quintuples; similar combinations underlie Chinese astrology and
geomancy.

Five men with five lucky symbols

A few combinations are worthy of special notice: the ‘five signs’ (wu zheng) are
indices of female lasciviousness. The Buddhists recognise ‘five prohibitions’ (wu jie).
These are:

Do not kill; do not steal; do not lust; do not drink wine; do not eat meat.

The ‘five pures’ are the moon, water, the pine-tree, the bamboo, and the plum-tree.
The ‘five Classics’ (wu jing) are:

‘Book of Documents’ (Shu-jing)
‘Book of Songs (Odes)’ (Shi-jing)
‘Book of Changes’ (Yi-jing)
‘Book of Rites’ (Li-ji)
‘Book of Ceremonies’ (Yi-li)

The ‘Five Dynasties’ (wu-dai) is the period between the Tang and Song Dynasties, i.e.
from AD 907 to AD 960.
The ‘Five Moral Qualities’ (wu-chang) are: humanity, sense of duty, wisdom,
reliability, ceremonial behaviour. The ‘Five Gifts’ are: riches, long life, peace and quiet,
virtue, life without sickness. The ‘Five Permutations of Being’ (wu-xing) are: wood, fire,
earth, metal and water.