Air, Water, Fire, Earth … Metal, Wood

Ask someone in the Western world about the Four Elements, and they might talk to you about Air, Water, Fire and Earth. Ask someone familiar with a Chinese cosmology and Wu Xing, and they would protest that there are five: adding Wood and Metal, and discounting Air. Sofia asks us to look at the five Chinese elements for her Lens-Artists Challenge. This is a big ask. I’ve seen wonderful posts from those who’ve contributed already, as well as Sofia’s own post illustrating elements as seen in the natural world. I’ve decided to focus on those elements as pressed into the service of man.

Let’s start with Air: through which fly aeroplanes (Metal) over the Earth beneath.

Aeroplane trails spotted over Welsh pastureland

And where would our washing lines be without air coursing through our clothes hanging out to dry?

A French washing line. It could be anywhere though.

Or flags, flapping in the breeze?

Outside the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Water next. Essential in every branch of life, here’s a (Metal) ship ploughing through it.

The North Sea. Plenty of Air there too.
Fish at Cosmo Caixa Science Museum, Barcelona.

Fire. Trickier, this one. Here’s a blacksmith doing his Metalwork at Tees Valley Pumping Station. This Pumping Station is now consigned to history and the odd Open Day. But in the Victorian era, it existed to provide clean drinking Water to the people of Darlington.

Traditional blacksmith.

And here is a collection of Metal artefacts and objects we saw when we visited.

Earth next. Without which … no forests, no crops, no bricks no … normal life at all.

Seed planting time. Free lunch for black-headed gulls.
Winter fields

Then there’s wood. One of our oldest building materials. Still the material of choice for window frames, for furniture. Even sometimes for cutlery!

And there we have it. A whistle top tour of the Elements, Western or Chinese style. I think my header photo, by the way, shows a bit of everything. Except perhaps fire. Do visit Sofia’s post, which will lead you in turn to other terrific responses to this challenge.

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Author: margaret21

I'm retired and live in North Yorkshire, where I walk , write, volunteer and travel as often as I can.

44 thoughts on “Air, Water, Fire, Earth … Metal, Wood”

  2. In your own inimitable style, Margaret! I love the Header, but that washing looks a bit sad. Contrails everywhere these days. I like just a single one, preferably with a tinge of sunrise or sunset. Great selection of metal photos and I do like to stir with a wooden spoon. Happy Thursday!

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  9. You’ve succeeded in combining the various elements in different ways! My favourite shots are the bottom left one in your metals gallery, the B&W window frame and that gate at the end 🙂

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  10. Oh, Margaret, you have a wonderful response to this challenge. I loved all your images and narrative. I especially liked your metal section, especially the cute face! I saw it and wonder if anyone else did!

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  11. How nice to see The Feathers featured and that’s one beautiful wooden spoon. There’s far too much air whizzing about today, and I’ve got to venture out in it shortly. 😕

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  16. Ooooo, I loved these, Margaret! The opener is fantastic – even if I know it was made by aeroplanes…The metal section with the face is so good, and the earth with gulls is my kind of picture. My absolute favourite is the last one – the gate and the wide fields behind. Feels like home.

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  20. I can’t believe I missed this one Margaret, it’s really terrific. You covered the gamut and then some! As for the header, I’m thinking there must be fire in some engine somewhere to keep that barge moving! Happy holidays to you and all the best in the New Year.

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