• The Five Elements

In the univers the 5 elements are represented by Wood, Fire, Metal, Earth, and Water, and should not to be compared with the chemical elements the scientific or material world are familiar with. If the five elements tend to suffer in todays modern way of life they are still remain, without doubt, the origin of all things. The Elements enters in contact with each other when considering the development of the natural succession process :

Wood sustains Fire
Fire sustains Earth
Earth sustains Metal
Metal sustains Water
Water sustains Wood

In contrast, The Elements can also enter in opposition with each other in the event of an accidental incident where the five elements interchange:

Water vanquishes Fire
Fire vanquishes Metal
Metal vanquishes Wood
Wood vanquishes Earth
Earth vanquishes Water

• Elements and correspondencies.

Claire Xuan's creativity is inspired by the concept of the 5 elements and their significance in a world of nature and philosophy. Oriental philosophy considers that each element corresponds to an animal, a plant, a colour. In the edition “Le Vietnam and the 5 elements”, the earth is represented by the Buffalo and Fire by Incense.


• The representation of the five elements is in each case far from systematic.

For example for the creation of the Paris Journal, only The Elements water and air are considered and in the recent edition “Madagascar” the three elements, wood,earth, and water which symbolise this enchanting island are represented. "ICELAND" evoks the themes of earth an water, two elements in constant unmerciful conflict in this country.