What Is The Water Type Personality? Dive In to Find Out!

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By Anna Marikar

Have you ever heard of the term “Water Type Personality“? If not, no worries! Today, we’re taking a deep dive into understanding this unique personality type and how it might be flowing through you (pun intended!). 

So, if you’re ready to find out more about water people, or water element personality types then grab a comfy seat and let’s make a splash together!

what is the water personality type?

The Origin of Element-Based Personalities

Before we delve into the depths of the water type personality, let’s dip our toes into the history behind it. Many ancient cultures, from the Greeks to the Chinese, have associated human characteristics with elements: earth, fire, water, and air (or metal and wood in Chinese philosophy). 

The idea is that certain qualities or traits can be related to these elements, much like the signs of the zodiac.

Journey into the Five Elements

Traditional Chinese Medicine and the five-element theory play a foundational role in understanding personality archetypes.

These five elements – wood, fire, earth, metal, and water – are intricately linked with our physical, emotional, and spiritual selves. 

Each element type associates with different seasons, body organs, and characteristics, giving us a unique blend of attributes that shape who we are. 

chinese element personality types
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Traits of the Water Type Personality

Alright, let’s get our feet wet! Water personalities are often described as:

  1. Fluid & Adaptable: Just like water takes the shape of its container, water types can adjust to various situations with ease. They’re versatile and can handle changes without making much of a splash.
  2. Deep Thinkers: Dive beneath the surface and there’s a world of depth. People with a water type personality often have a deep inner world. They’re reflective and can spend hours lost in thought. A water person can often be described as a creative thinker, as well as deep. 
  3. Sensitive & Emotional: Waters run deep, and so do emotions for these folks. They can be incredibly empathetic, a good listener, picking up on others’ feelings and vibes even when not spoken. They’re often the friends who notice when you’re just a little “off” and ask if everything’s alright.
  4. Intuitive: There’s a sense of knowing what’s below the surface. They often have a gut feeling about things, and more often than not, their intuitions are spot on.
  5. Calming Presence: Think about the peaceful flow of a gentle stream or the quiet stillness of a pond. Water type personalities often bring a sense of peace and calm to those around them.

Related: 67 Best Inspirational Sea Glass Quotes

Just as water has its stillness and tempests, people with the water personality can also have their turbulent moments:

man splashing in water
  1. Overwhelmed by Emotions: With their depth of feelings, they can sometimes feel swamped by emotions. It’s essential for them to find outlets or strategies to keep their emotions in check.
  2. Avoidant: Just as water can flow around obstacles, water types might avoid confrontations or challenging situations.
  3. Inconstant: Like the ebb and flow of tides, their moods can be ever-changing. They might be happy one moment and sad the next, based on the energies they pick up around them.

Harnessing the Power of Your Water Personality

If you’re reading this and thinking, “Hey, that sounds a lot like me!”, here are some tips to make the most of your water personality

  1. Embrace Your Sensitivity: It’s a gift! You can understand and connect with people deeply. Remember, vulnerability can be a strength.
  2. Meditation & Mindfulness: Since you have a rich inner world, delve into practices that allow you to explore and understand it. This will also help you manage overwhelming emotions.
  3. Establish Boundaries: To avoid being taken advantage of or becoming too drained, learn to set healthy boundaries.
  4. Channel Your Emotions: Art, writing, or even physical activities can be a wonderful way to express and manage your deep feelings.
hand in water

Connecting with Other Elements

While water is your dominant element, remember that we all have a mix of the different elements within us. By understanding and embracing your primary traits, you can better connect with those of different elemental personalities.

  • With fire types, your calm can balance their intensity.
  • With earth types, your fluidity can complement their grounded nature.
  • And with air types, your depth can enrich their expansive thinking.

Discovering the Elemental Personalities

  • Wood Types and the Season of Spring: Wood people are often seen as great leaders with a natural ability for positive change. They’re the creative thinkers, the ones with the great ideas that herald the season’s new starts. However, they might sometimes have a hard time sticking with things for a long time, easily swept away by new inspirations.
  • Fire Element and the Heart of Summer: Fire people, with their roaring fire of charisma, are the life of the party. They’re the vibrant, passionate souls, often seen as the bravest person in the room. But, just as fire can burn bright and then flicker, they may need to watch out for health problems like high blood pressure or hot flashes.
  • Earth Element and Late Summer Nurturing: The earth person is often the best friend you can have. They have broad shoulders – not just physically, but emotionally. These folks are usually great listeners, with a small group of close friends. Their core values often revolve around personal relationships. But they might need to pay attention to their digestive organs as digestive problems, and food allergies can be a concern.
  • Metal Element and the Autumn Season: Metal element personalities are the epitome of structure and precision. Their season is all about the harvest, taking stock of the year’s bounty. They’re often seen as having a good sense, with big heads filled with great thoughts. Balancing the metal types with instances of water element foods can help alleviate some health concerns they might face.
four seasons

Water’s Depth and the Winter Months

The water element stores a depth of knowledge, much like the deep ocean. In the classical Chinese medicine, water is linked with the kidney energy and urinary bladder, playing an important role in our body’s instinctual way of functioning.

This, unfortunately, means that water-type people might be prone to health issues like urinary tract infections. The winter months, representing the season of the water element, offer a time of reflection for water element personalities, a time to sink deep into their own thoughts, much like the still waters of a vegetable garden pond after a frost.

How to Know What Element Personality Type You Are?

The concept of elemental personalities, especially as rooted in traditional Chinese medicine and its Five-Element Theory, is a combination of philosophy, observation, and interpretation.

While it’s not as standardized or as widely recognized as, say, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or the Big Five personality test in psychology, determining one’s elemental type can be done through a mix of various methods:

water
  1. Astrological Birth Charts: In certain traditions, especially within Chinese astrology, your birth year can determine your primary element. For example, if you were born in the year of the Metal Rat, then ‘metal’ would be your primary element. This, however, is a somewhat simplistic view.
  2. Physical Characteristics: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) often associates specific physical attributes with certain elements. For example:
    • Wood: Tall, slender, greenish hue to the skin.
    • Fire: Reddish hair or complexion, animated expressions.
    • Earth: Strong, sturdy build, yellowish skin hue.
    • Metal: Pale skin, defined facial features.
    • Water: Soft body, dark complexion, deep-set eyes.
  3. Personality Traits & Habits: This is where interpretation comes in. For example, if you’re someone who’s a great planner, sticks to routines, and values structure, you might lean more toward the Metal element. On the other hand, if you’re spontaneous, passionate, and a bit unpredictable, the Fire element might resonate more with you.
  4. Health Patterns: In TCM, certain health issues are associated with imbalances in specific elements. For instance, someone frequently suffering from digestive issues might have an imbalance in the Earth element.
  5. Intuition & Self-reflection: Sometimes, reading about the characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses of each element can give you an intuitive feeling or sense of resonance with one (or more) of them.
  6. Consult with a Practitioner: If you’re truly curious and want a more informed perspective, consider consulting with a practitioner trained in Five-Element Theory or TCM. They can provide insights based on a combination of your physical attributes, health history, and personality traits.
  7. Remember the Interplay: It’s essential to remember that no one is purely one element. Just as with other personality metrics, we’re all a blend. One might be dominant, but the others play a role in our lives as well.

In Western astrology, the zodiac signs are categorized into four elements: Fire, Earth, Air, and Water. The Water signs, known for their emotional depth, intuition, and sensitivity, include:

  1. Cancer (June 21 – July 22)
  2. Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)
  3. Pisces (February 19 – March 20)

These signs are often associated with deep feelings, intuition, and a strong emotional connection to their surroundings and the people they interact with.

While there isn’t a standardized chart or test widely recognized across all cultures and traditions, various resources, especially within the realm of TCM, might offer quizzes or charts to help guide individuals.

However, as with all personality classifications, it’s essential to approach them with an open mind and remember that they offer a lens of interpretation, not an absolute definition.

beautiful water

Embracing the Flow

The water type personality is a beautiful blend of depth, emotion, and adaptability. While there might be some occasional ripples and waves, understanding and embracing your water traits will allow you to navigate the seas of life with grace.

Finding Balance and Celebrating Differences

water personality type

Understanding the five element personality archetypes can be a gateway to appreciating the gifts of others. It gives an idea of what kind of person they are – whether they’re the wood type bringing creative solutions, the fiery individual sparking positive initiatives, or the water person offering emotional depth. Embracing the natural world’s elemental energies can pave the way for richer personal relationships, be it a chat in hookah lounges or a tai chi session in the park.

Speaking of which, practices like tai chi and qi gong can be instrumental in harmonizing these energies within us.

Whether you’re a bubbling brook, a tranquil lake, or a mighty ocean, embrace the flow and let your unique water energy shine through. Remember, just like in nature, water is essential, nurturing, and life-giving. So, to all our water personalities out there, keep making a splash! 💦

More on Personality

We hope you enjoyed diving into the world of the water personality type! Do you resonate with it? Or perhaps you know someone who’s the epitome of this element? Share your thoughts and experiences below. Let’s keep the conversation flowing!

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Anna is a Wales-based writer and graduate from SOAS University of London.
As the voice behind On Your Journey, she empowers women to embrace holistic well-being and spiritual growth through her expert insights into wellness and symbolism.
When she isn't writing thought-provoking articles, you'll find her busy crafting and raising her 4 children.

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