Earth element tattoo
Earth in Chinese is 土 (tǔ), one of the five elements, 五行 (wǔ xíng). It stands for stability, nourishment and trust, like fertile ground.
tǔ
Earth · one of the five elements
What 土 means.
土 shows a mound of earth on the ground.
- Character
- 土earth, soil; the same in simplified and traditional Chinese
- Virtue
- trustworthiness (信 xìn)
- Colours
- yellowochrebeigeterracotta
- Season
- Between seasons
- Direction
- Centre
- Numbers
- 5 and 10
- In nature
- Mountains, fields, clay and stone
- Years
- Years ending in 8 and 9
Before you tattoo it: In casual speech 土 can also mean “unfashionable” or “rustic”. Next to the other elements, or with a line about the Five Elements, it reads clearly as Earth.
Yang and yin Earth
- 戊Yang Earththe mountain
- 己Yin Earththe fertile field
Each element has a yang and a yin side, written with two of the ten Heavenly Stems. In a Chinese birth chart, the stem of the day you were born is your day master: your own element.
In the cycles
- Fire makes Earth, and Earth bears Metal in the generating cycle.
- Wood parts Earth, and Earth dams Water in the controlling cycle.
Your element isn't just your birth year.
Years ending in 8 and 9 are Earth years, but in Chinese astrology your own element is your day master, from the day you were born. The free calculator reads your full birth chart and shows how the five elements balance in it.
About earth in Chinese
What is the Chinese character for earth?
土 (tǔ), meaning earth, soil. It is one of the five elements, 五行 (wǔ xíng), and is written the same in simplified and traditional Chinese.
What does the Earth element stand for?
Earth stands for stability, nourishment and trust, like fertile ground. Its virtue is trustworthiness (信 xìn), its season the turn between seasons, its direction the centre, and its colours yellow, ochre, beige, terracotta.
How do I know if Earth is my element?
Many people go by their birth year: years ending in 8 and 9 are Earth years. In Chinese astrology, though, your own element is your day master, the element of the day you were born, and it often differs from your year. The free element calculator finds it from your birth date.
Which zodiac signs belong to Earth?
The Ox, Dragon, Goat and Dog have Earth as their fixed element. Each zodiac year also takes an element from its last digit, so there are Earth years of every sign.
How does Earth relate to the other elements?
Fire makes Earth and Earth bears Metal in the generating cycle. Wood parts Earth and Earth dams Water in the controlling cycle.
Is 土 a good Chinese tattoo?
Yes, with one thing to know. In casual speech 土 can also mean “unfashionable” or “rustic”. Next to the other elements, or with a line about the Five Elements, it reads clearly as Earth. With few strokes it stays clear even at small sizes. Choose a readable style such as Kaishu, bring a clean reference to your artist, and show it to a fluent reader before your appointment.