“The elementary qualities are four, and any four terms can be combined in six couples. Contraries, however, refuse to be coupled: for it is impossible for the same thing to be hot and cold, or moist and dry. Hence it is evident that the ‘couplings’ of the elementary qualities will be four: hot with dry and moist with hot, and again cold with dry and cold with moist. And these four couples have attached themselves to the apparently ‘simple’ bodies (Fire, Air, Water, and Earth) in a manner consonant with theory.” – Aristotle¹
It’s amazing how universal some concepts are. Cultures all around the world have separately developed music and dance, religion and deities, an understanding of minerals and the elements.
The four elements of Earth, Air, Water, and Fire have been a documented part of Western civilization since 350 BC. Ancient Egypt, Babylon, and Buddhists recognized them as well. Native Americans use them. Many of these cultures added fifth elements – variously the sky, void, metal, spirit or soul.
But the four central elements have been a constant. They have beauty we can see and touch. This week’s Travel Theme challenge is to show them in photos. I chose these photos from our trip to Hawaii:
Earth: An open field at Kualoa Ranch (where Jurassic Park was filmed) on the island of Oahu.
Air/Wind: Sailing on air currents over the Pacific Ocean
Water: The surf on Oahu’s North Shore
Fire: Glowing steam from Kilauea’s Halemaumau Crater
Nature is amazing-changing all the time, but defined by four constant elements for millennia.
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¹ from On Generation and Corruption by Aristotle, written 350 B.C.E., Translated by H. H. Joachim
This post was in response to a challenge from Ailsa at WheresMyBackpack. This week’s Travel Theme is The Four Elements. To see her challenge and how other bloggers have responded, click here!
The Retiring Sort 
Wonderful gallery TRS! The volcano shot is amazing!
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Thanks so much, Madhu – glad you enjoyed it!
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super great photos .. perfect for the challenge.
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Thanks so much! 😉
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Great photos for the challenge, especially that last one. 🙂
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Thanks!
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fantastic images … i love them … especially the fire up so close!!! imagine that is the centre of our planet … all that molten rock welling up …
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Yikes! Thanks for that thought! 😉
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Like that last image, especially! Thanks for your visit and comment on my blog, much appreciated….
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Thanks for stopping by and for your kind comment. The visit to you was my pleasure! 😉
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Stunning shots and post TRS! Great selection for the entry. 🙂
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Than you, Sonel! 😉
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great share .. top photo can almost see the oldies.. but the last photo ..wonderful..
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Thanks! 😉
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Reblogged this on Mayanktaker.
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Oh how lovely, that top shot of Kualoa Ranch is quite magical, I can almost hear the dinos roar from here! 🙂
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😉
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Love these. I didn’t know where Jurassic Park was filmed.
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Thanks! Kualoa Ranch does tours – we got to stand by the tree Sam Neill hid under during the dino stampede! Parts of Lost and several other TV shows and movies were filmed at the same ranch – it was a fun day! 😉
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I can understand that! It’s fun to visit such places. We experienced the same feelings at Hobbiton and the other places around Wellington where The Lord of the Ring was shot.
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Now THAT was some spectacular scenery – some of the best parts of the movies! 😉
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Oh, I’ve got such sweet photos from Hobbiton, but we had to sign a form not to show them…But I guess that was before the film release. I haven’t dared…
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😉
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