來自天地的生生不息---香與五行的關係 The endless cycle of the universe------on incense and the five elements

五行是中國古代的物質觀，分別為木、火、土、金、水，這五種元素充盈在天地之間，無所不在。五行也是四季自然律動的元素，彼此相互作用、相互發展，使自然產生變化，人遵循四時之法成，隨著春生，夏長，秋收，冬藏的規律而成長，違反自然便容易產生疾病。

Chinese classify all the materials into the five elements, including wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. The world we live in teems with these five ubiquitous elements. The five elements interact with one another, which lead to changes naturally, and thus we have four seasons. Human-beings should abide by the rhythms of the four seasons, sowing in spring, growing in summer, harvesting in fall, and storing in winter. If not, the violation of natural rhythms of rules can give rise to disorders of all sorts.

五行彼此之間具有相剋的關係：金剋木，木剋土，土剋水，水剋火，火剋金。 五行也有相生的結構：金生水，水生木，木生火，火生土，土生金。如此生生不息、循環不己，維繫著自然宇宙的平衡。

The five elements restrict one another. That is to say, metal restricts wood, wood restricts earth, earth restricts water, water restricts fire, and fire restricts metal. On the other hand, the five elements generate one another. Namely, metal generates water, water generates wood, wood generates fire, fire generates earth, and earth generates metal. Such a cycle never ceases and maintains the balance of the universe.

 人體是個奧妙的結構。木、火、土、金、水對應肝、心、脾、肺、腎，因此五行體現人體臟腑之間的相互關係與屬性、可呈現出個人先天體質的強弱。以古法製作的香，會將「五行學說」的中醫裡論，運用在身體的臟腑結構上，透過香藥的調理，使五臟六腑恢復正常的運作，提高身心的保養與健康。

Our human body is undoubtedly a subtle and wonderful structure. The above-mentioned five elements correspond to our organs, inclusive of liver, heart, spleen, lungs, and kidneys. The interactions and relationships of our organs reflect the nature and essence of the five elements, which dominate the strengths and weaknesses of our body parts. Incense which is manufactured based on ancient methods can regulate the functions of our organs. And, thanks to the medicinal properties of the incense, we can enhance our physical and mental health.

人會生病的原因大致上可分為外因、內因、不內外因。外因是指外在的環境，如髒亂潮濕、傳染病、氣候變遷；內因是指人的七情六欲過度、心境無法平和所導致的疾病；不內外因則是意外傷害，如意外事故、車禍，也會導致身體受損或生病。

Our disorders can result from external, internal, and accidental causes. The external causes refer to filthy or humid environment, contagious diseases, and climate changes, while the internal causes consist of the imbalance of emotions as well as the subsequent disorders. At last, accidental causes comprise all kinds of accidents, including car accidents.

中國傳統的香，講究的是「香藥同源」的概念，因為香是用中藥材製成，人們透過呼吸吐納將香氣吸入身體，讓藥性產生效益。從身體來看，聞香可以有入脾、開胃、透心、透骨、通絡、利竅、散邪、逐穢的功效。從情緒來看，香可以產生愉悅、幸福、喜悅、寧靜、放鬆的感受。人在這樣的情況下，自然而然身體就會健康，情緒穩定，當內因可以平靜和諧，外因與不內外因就不易造成影響，達到固本還原的作用。

Chinese traditional incense is particular about the concept that incense is in one sense medicine, simply because incense is made from herbs. And, through breathing, we can absorb the medicinal properties of the herbs and benefit from the incense. From the perspectives of human bodies, smelling incense can help facilitate the functions of all the guts and eliminate the bad stuff or energy stuck inside our body. On the other hand, to our emotions, incense can make us feel happy, joyful, blessed, quiet, and relaxed. Then, under such circumstances, we can become healthy and stable. And, when we can be stable and peaceful, we will not be prone to any external or accidental influences. This is the most fundamental health care we should stick to.