Artist: Yuri Elperin

Earth Element

土

Medium: sculpture/mixed media

23 carat gold leaf, oil, acrylic, wood, sand, rice paper with calligraphy by Li Ning, roots, marine plants on canvas and mount on wood panel.

23K金箔、油彩、丙烯颜料、木材、沙子、宣纸（宁莉书法）、植物根茎、海洋植物，画布装裱于木板上

60 x 40 inches

2025

The five elements in Chinese Buddhism, a concept often drawn from Chinese philosophy are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. These elements are used to categorize phenomena, understand the natural world, and organize internal and external energies, and they are also part of Buddhist contemplative practices.

The five elements

Wood:Associated with spring, growth.

Fire:Associated with summer, passions.

Earth:Associated with late summer, stability.

Metal:Associated with autumn, structure.

Water:Associated with winter, wisdom.

In Chinese Buddhism, the circle represents the spiritual or celestial realm (heaven), while the square symbolizes the physical, earthly realm. This symbolism is famously represented in the mandala (a symbolic diagram representing the universe), which often features a square within a circle, signifying the union of heaven and earth or the sacred meeting place where spiritual enlightenment is achieved. This concept extends to architectural designs, including the construction of temples, where the two shapes are used to create sacred spaces that connect the human world with the divine.

In Chinese Buddhism, particularly in the Chan (Zen) tradition, the circle is a deeply significant symbol representing enlightenment, emptiness, unity, and the universe.

中国佛教中的五行概念源于中国哲学，包括木、火、土、金、水五行。这五行用于对各种现象进行分类，理解自然界，并统摄内外能量，同时也是佛教禅修实践的一部分。

五行

木：与春天和生长相关。

火：与夏天和激情相关。

土：与夏末和稳定相关。

金：与秋天和结构相关。

水：与冬天和智慧相关。

在中国佛教中，圆形代表精神或天界（天），而方形则象征物质或尘世。这种象征意义在曼荼罗（一种代表宇宙的象征性图表）中得到了充分体现，曼荼罗通常以圆形内嵌方形，象征着天地合一，或指证悟成佛的神圣场所。这一概念也延伸至建筑设计，包括寺庙的建造。在寺庙中，圆和阳被用来创造神圣空间，连接人间与神界。

在中国佛教，尤其是在禅宗传统中，圆是一个意义深远的象征，代表着觉悟、空性、统一和宇宙。