What is the destructive order of the five elements in feng shui?

In feng shui, the destructive cycle of the five elements is based on how each element can overpower or diminish another element. The correct order, "Wood-earth-water-fire-metal," illustrates how each element interacts destructively with one another.

In this context, wood can be destroyed by earth (as earth can absorb wood), earth can be overcome by water (as water can erode earth), water can extinguish fire (as water puts out fire), fire can melt metal (as in the process of smelting), and finally, metal can chop wood (as a metal tool can cut through wood). This cycle shows a clear and logical progression of how each element impacts another negatively.

Understanding this cycle is crucial not only for practitioners of feng shui but also for anyone looking to balance spaces according to these elemental interactions. Each element's relationship highlights the interconnectedness of nature and the importance of these interactions in feng shui design and philosophy.