I felt disturbed by this, and wondered how one can be sincere about his beliefs, when the label he has on him says differently. Then, I remembered something from a ninja book: The Japanese Five Elements, which represents elements, body parts, and their human characteristics. People with different characteristics have different beliefs, as their life experiences and perspectives govern them. Now, even though "Ku", or "heaven" is the highest element, I am taking all these down to earth, taking only their characteristics and placing them politically.
Courtesy to Wikipedia
Quote:
Chi (sometimes ji) or tsuchi, meaning "Earth", represents the hard, solid objects of the world. The most basic example of chi is in a stone. Stones are highly resistant to movement or change, as is anything heavily influenced by chi. In people, the bones, muscles and tissues are represented by chi. Emotionally, chi is predominantly associated with stubbornness, stability, physicality, and gravity. In the mind, it is confidence; and emotionally it is a desire to have things remain as they are; a resistance to change. When under the influence of this chi mode or "mood", we are aware of our own physicality and sureness of action.
Sui or mizu, meaning "Water", represents the fluid, flowing, formless things in the world. Outside of the obvious example of rivers and the like, plants are also categorized under sui, as they adapt to their environment, growing and changing according to the direction of the sun and the changing seasons. Blood and other bodily fluids are represented by sui, as are mental or emotional tendencies towards adaptation and change. sui can be associated with emotion, defensiveness, adaptability, flexibility, suppleness, and magnetism.
Ka or hi, meaning "Fire", represents the energetic, forceful, moving things in the world. Animals, particularly predators, capable of movement and full of forceful energy, are primary examples of ka objects. Bodily, ka represents our metabolism and body heat, and in the mental and emotional realms, it represents drive and passion. ka can be associated with motivation, desire, intention, and an outgoing spirit.
Fū or kaze, meaning "Wind", represents things that grow, expand, and enjoy freedom of movement. Aside from air, smoke, and the like, fū can in some ways be best represented by the human mind. As we grow physically, we learn and expand mentally as well, in terms of our knowledge, our experiences, and our personalities. Fū represents breathing, and the internal processes associated with respiration. Mentally and emotionally, it represents an "open-minded" attitude and carefree feeling. It can be associated with will, elusiveness, evasiveness, benevolence, compassion, wisdom, and electricity.
Kū, most often translated as "Void", but also meaning "sky" or "Heaven", represents those things beyond our everyday experience, particularly those things composed of pure energy. Atoms, their component particles, and atomic forces fall under this category, as do people in a higher state of consciousness. Bodily, kū represents spirit, thought, and creative energy. It represents our ability to think and to communicate, as well as our creativity. It can also be associated with power, creativity, spontaneity, and inventiveness.
Now, seeing Chi and Mizu, "Earth and Water", you probably think "conservative and liberal", and that may be true, to a general sense. But then, there are three others, which can't possibly fit in any category, but both Conservatism and Liberalism claims to acquire both.
You see, people are diverse, and no party can totally please them. They have their own beliefs, and that is good, and it should only be used for good. If people start choosing sides with names like "Liberal" "Conservative" "Republican" "Democrat", then opponents can use past follies from their party to dishearten them, or even agitate them, causing hostilities. Just because a fundamentalist christian blew up a gay bay doesn't mean all republicans are that way, nor if a feminist killed ten men would that mean democrats are all crazy. Each person has their own beliefs.
Now, you could the Chinese elements as well, as they have metal and wood. Metal meaning resourcefulness and wood, I think, means the same as Ku, or heaven.
All in all, don't just depend on "Democrat-Republican" and it's offshoot, think of what you truly believe. There is no true Western label for that, only metaphors.
As for me, I'm a Chi Tensei, or Earth Adherent.
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