 | Air classical element: Encyclopedia - Air classical element
Air (classical element)
Western
Chinese
Wood (木) | Fire (火) |
Earth (土) |
Metal (金) | Water (水)
Hinduism
The Panchamahabhuta
("five great elements")
Prithvi/Bhumi (Earth)
Ap/Jala (Water)
Agni/Tejas (Fire)
Vayu/Pavan (Air/Wind)
Akasha (Aether)
Japanese
The Godai ("five great")
Earth (地) | Water (水) |
Fire (火) |
Wind (風) | Void (空)
Air is one of the four classical elements in ancient Greek philosophy and science. Air is considered to be both hot and wet, and according to Plato is associated with the octahedron. It is associated with many other concepts, including the sword suit in the tarot.
In Wiccan tradition, it is associated with the East, Spring, and the color green on the physical plane. Air is represented by a green circle, the flute, feathers, the wand, breath, the fan, glass, bells and windchimes, diamonds, whistles, and incense. Air represents intelligence, communication, psychic powers, and masculinity. In rituals, Air is represented in the forms of tossing objects into the wind, aromatherapy, songs, and suspending things in high places.
The manifestations of the Element of Air are breezes, the sky, windstorms, clouds, and birdsong. Birds, especially the eagle and the hawk, are also thought to personify the element of Air, as are most things that fly, such as butterflies. Astral creatures of Air (elementals) are the Sylph/Zephyr, Faerie, Djinn, and Griffin. Air’s place on the pentagram is the upper left point. In China and Japan Air was represented by a blue dragon; in the Aztec religion, by a rabbit; to the Scythians, a yoke; to the Hindus and Greeks, a sword; and in Christian iconography by an eagle.
An anonymous poem called Invoking the Elements, says:
This is the Air, my Children; these are the Creatures:
Far-flying Goose; far-seeing Hawk;
Owl who knows; Raven who talks;
Crane who dances; Thrush who sings;
Quail the humble; Wren the king;
Lark who revels; Loon who weeps;
Jay who scatters; Vulture who reaps.
This is the Air I conjure, and this is the birth of the World.
See also
Other related archivesAether, Agni, Air, Akasha, Ap, Bhumi, Chinese, Earth, Fire, Greek philosophy, Hinduism, Japanese, Metal, Prithvi, Tejas, Vayu, Void, Water, Western, Wind, Wood, classical elements, octahedron, sword, tarot
 Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Air classical element", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki |
