The conception of the five elements, which the mystics have held at all times, cannot be explained in scientific terms, because the mystics have their peculiar meaning. Although the elements may be called water, fire, air, earth and ether, this must not be taken as such. Their nature and character, according to the mystics, are different. But as words are few, one cannot give other names to the elements, although in Sanskrit there are different words for these. "Ether" is not ether in scientific terms, it is capacity. "Water" is not water as we understand it in everyday language, it is liquidity. "Fire" is understood differently; it means glow, or heat, or dryness, or radiance, all that is living. All of these words suggest something more than what is meant by earth, fire, water, etc.