Classical elements in popular culture

Classical elements have been frequently used in pop culture in genres such as fantasy, literature,film, humor,television, video games, comic books, toys and even music. Typically a character or characters are linked to one or more of the four classical elements (air, water, earth and fire) common to most ancient philosophies (particularly the Greek, Hindu, Buddhist and Japanese traditions), either through special powers granted, ability to mimic the element, or other means. Sometimes a fifth element is included, such as aether (also known as Quintessence), void, as was the case in the movie The Fifth Element, something else altogether. The sixth and final element is called Nether related to death and the dark which is the opposing force of Aether/Quintessence itself which are about life and light. This actually makes up a total six elements of nature-Water, Fire, Earth, Air, Quintessence/Aether, and Nether- though mostly only the four elements are used or shown.

The classical elements and their use in literary history have served as the subject of various published books. In The Elements: Earth Ice Fire Water (How Artists See), Colleen Carroll examines "how the four elements have been depicted in works of art from different time periods and places." In Legends of Earth,Ice,Fire and Water, Eric Hadley and Tessa Hadley provide a "collection of myths and legends from different parts of the world about the four basic elements without which life would not be possible." According to Publishers Weekly, in Earth, Fire, Water, Ice, Mary Hoffman and Jane Ray collect " of factual information, myths, stories, poems and musings in this fascinating volume about the four classic elements."

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