FIRE, EARTH, AIR, WATER

There are many writings on the topic of the Four Elements or Temperaments depending on what your individual beliefs are, what your native customs are and which century you were born in. I understand that you can't have one element without the other and that they make contrasting pairs; earth and air, fire and water - pictured diagnally opposite one another.

I like the explanation given in 'Symbols in Eastern and Western Art' by James Hall.
"The Middle Ages...believed that man was a microcosm of the universe and that his body was therefore governed by various planetary influences. They worked through his internal organs that produced four kinds of bodily fluids, or humours, which determined his temperament... "
These humours had a similar essence to the Four Elements, but were also associated with the Four Seasons, Four Rivers of Hades and Four different Animals that shared the same character.

I sense another project.....