Wood (木) — The Element of Growth & Vitality
Wood (木, Mok) is the first of the Five Elements and embodies the energy of trees and vegetation. Carrying the spirit of spring, it represents beginnings, growth, and expansion. In Saju, a person with dominant Wood energy is traditionally interpreted as having a strong life force that reaches toward new horizons.
Core Attributes
Season: Spring (春) — the time of renewal. Direction: East (東). Color: Blue-green / verdant tones. Taste: Sour. Body correspondence: Liver, gallbladder, eyes, tendons — in traditional Korean medicine, Wood governs the liver and gallbladder energy (note: this is a symbolic system, not a medical claim).
Representative Stems & Branches
Heavenly Stems: Gap (甲, Yang Wood) — the image of a towering tree, a great pillar. Eul (乙, Yin Wood) — the image of grass and vines, flexible and adaptive. Earthly Branches: In (寅, Tiger) — Yang Wood, the vigorous stirring of early spring. Myo (卯, Rabbit) — Yin Wood, gentle growth in the heart of spring.
Personality Keywords
Keywords traditionally associated with strong Wood energy include growth-oriented, pioneering, straightforward, justice-seeking, compassionate, and persevering. The Gap (large tree) temperament is described as upright and steadfast leadership, while the Eul (grass/vine) temperament suggests a flexible and adaptive collaborator.
When Wood Is Strong
A high proportion of Wood in the chart is interpreted as strong drive and ambition, with a natural ability to initiate projects and lead change. If excessively strong, it may manifest as stubbornness or inflexibility. Wood generates Fire (木生火), so abundant Wood energy readily flows into passion and expression.
When Wood Is Weak
When Wood is scarce, one may find it harder to take initiative or make decisive moves, according to traditional interpretation. Water generates Wood (水生木), so Water energy — knowledge, wisdom, and fluid thinking — is seen as the element that nourishes and strengthens a weak Wood.
Related 25 Types
The five types with Wood as the dominant element: Towering Oak (Concentrated), Bare Branch (Deficient), Twin Canopy (Twin-peak), Wind Forest (Ripple), Green Garden (Balanced). Each type shows a different texture within Wood dominance depending on the overall Five Element distribution pattern.