The primary elements are the natural qualities of matter.

The earth element is the quality of hardness and softness or the degree of solidity.

The water element is the quality of fluidity and cohesion.

The fire element is the quality of heat and cold.

The air element is the quality of motion, vibration and support.

All four primary elements are present in any given substance but one is more prominent. The quality of hardness and softness is called earth element because that is the prominent quality of earth, but, earth also has the qualities of cohesion, heat and motion. The parts from the hair of the head up to the brain, in the Panyikulamanasika Pabba, are examples of bodily parts in which the earth element is prominent. The parts from bile up to urine are examples in which the water element is prominent. Heat and cold in the body are examples of the fire element. The breath is an example of the wind element.