五行學說之論述乃結合陰陽、五行之思維形成「五德終始說」之論證。其中說明五行（木、火、土、金、水）之「相剋相生」的法則，至有「五德轉移」之說，延義至各朝代之更替，乃爲「時令」代之而起的五行之「德」。如《禮記•月令》：「某日立春，盛德在木…」隱含「天命轉移」，說明天命歸於有德者，故而有謂之三統色彩之說。夏朝崇尚「黑」色，商朝崇尚「白」色，周朝崇尚「赤」色之三色建構，至秦統一天下推「五德終始」，以周得「火」德，秦代替周爲「水」德，故崇尚黑色。西漢思想家董仲舒作《春秋繁露》，其將五行學說結合以人爲本的儒家思想，藉「天人感應」、「天人合一」建構出其倫理的觀念和思考，也爲西漢武帝建構形成政事、人文、禮制的基礎。若探尋其脈絡同理可以看出陰陽、五行結合色彩與四時、方位、天文、曆法、二十四節氣等所建構的關係。故有謂中國傳統色彩文化特質的形成，除神話、傳說的記載，而後道教、佛學、禪學、儒學等亦受其之思想影響，此和西方色彩形成之特質不同。本研究主要論述內容有二個主要部分：一爲「五德轉移說」隱含五色形成之研究、二爲探究五行色意義形成，是爲建構以五行色爲主之傳統文化色彩內涵。

The origin of Chinese Five Elements is integrated with Yin, Yang and the thoughts of Five Elements to expound the philosophy of the theory of Five Virtues Loop. In the theory, the rule of ”against and pro” among the elements of ”wood, fire, earth, gold and water” is explained and extended to the doctrine of ”transition of Five Virtues” that is applied to illustrate the change of Chinese Dynasties in the history. In the book of Rites, the passage written ”in the beginning of spring, flourishing time is at Wooden Age” implies the devolving fate and describes that decree belongs to the men of virtues. Therefore, the theory of three ruling colors was established to describe that Chinese ancient dynasties were built upon three specific colors. For example, black color was adored in Xia Dynasty, white color was worshiped in Shang Dynasty, and Red color was preferred in Zhou Dynasty. The color of black was appreciated again in Qin Dynasty because the dynasty was highly related to the element of ”Water”, which represents black. An ancient Chinese ideologist, Chung-Shu Don, had developed a philosophy based on the theory of ”Five Elements” and the thoughts of Confucians to construct his concept and thinking of virtue derived from notions of ”interactivity between heaven and man” and ”integration of heaven and man.” The theory as well became the foundation of government affairs, humanity, and rites that the Emperor Wu of West Han Dynasty had ruled his empire upon. Ancient Chinese culture was highly influenced by the concepts of Ying and Yang, the Five Elements integrated with colors, Four Seasons, astronomy, calendar, and Twenty-Four Solar Terms. The establishment of the characteristic in traditional Chinese color culture was not only documented in the mythology and fables. It also influenced the Taoism, Buddhism, Zen, and Confucianism, which is very different from the western philosophy. This study is focused on two major aims: 1. The theory of Five Virtues Loop reflecting the formation of Five Colors, 2. Exploring the institution of the meanings of Five Colors to establish the connotations of traditional cultural color based on Five Colors.