Is there a form called the five element? if so is it documented?

Answer 1

The imperial system of basic elements that came from Macedonia then through Rome we all know as Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water. Theoretically, everything in the universe is made up of these 4 elements.

However in China and most of Asia, the number 5 relates to everything. The theory is the same. Except for in Eastern theory they split the element of Earth into Wood and Stone, metals fall into the stone category and everything that is organic falls into wood. The rest of the elements are the same.

Yes, it is documented in the Secrets of the Yellow Emperor.

Answer 2

Five element, together with Yin Yang form the backbone of the Chinese Philosophy.

Wood gives Fire, Fire comes Earth, Earth births Gold, Gold irrigates Water, Water nourish Wood and such is the cycle of the world. The diminishing and increasing of each element will affect each other as they depend on each another for a dynamic balance.

There are many Wushu, especially the internal arts, contain the five elements. The most prominent would be Xing Yi Chuan, which has the five element fist form.

But to really understand the five element philosophy, I would suggest you read up on Chinese Medicine. Tai Ji Ying Yang and Five elements are the basis of many Chinese art forms. Though Wushu, demonstrate it through motion, Medicine will let you understand the five element as it is meant to be learnt.

Good luck.

Answer 3

These answers are all very good and give great descriptions of what the elements are supposed to encompass. As far as there being an actual form called "Five Element", I do not know for sure, but, Hsing-Yi and some other internal systems do have sets that use the "emotion" of each element and incorporate that into technique. Along with this, elements and animal styles (those that capture the essence of animals, not necessarily mimic) are blended, and certain animals pertain to certain elements, such as tiger for fire. With this, to create a balance, animal styles/element styles which are "opposites" are blended as well, such as Tiger/Crane (as is common in Hung Gar).

So, like with most other methods of Chinese Boxing, there really is no clear cut end all answer. As far as an entire discipline devoted to the five elements, I am not familiar with it, but I wouldn't doubt its existance.

Answer 4

From my knowledge of chinese culture, the five elements has more to do with Geomancy and alchemism than martial arts. The Chinese Zodiac signs are incorporated with the five elements, chinese medicinal arts like acupuncture also uses it and most Taoist practices uses the elements in explaining certain phenomenons in this world. Chinese language and caligraphy tend to be metaphorical instead of literal, so most scholars tend to use flowery words like water and metal instead of soft and hard, fire and earth to mean strong and passive. It's a sort of poetic license used by teachers to aid students in remembering certain training principles just like Bluto says.

Answer 5

The famous 5 element theory on which the science of Acupuncture is based and we are getting treatment results since 5000 years!

Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal & Water are those five elements and Wind, Heat, Humidity, Dryness and Coldness are those respective energies of five elements.
Wind - all movements in our body.
Heat - our body is always hot.
Humidity - all physical matters.
Dryness - denotes hardness.
Coldness - denotes cold and pain.
Anger, Joy, Worry, Sadness and fear are their respective emotions.
Excess or Deficiency of any or many of them create DISEASE SYMPTOMS. Therefore they are treated only with Acupuncture and there is no medicines or no need of medicines for them.

THE THEORY IS SO PERFECT THAT WE TREAT ALL NON - INFECTIOUS DISEASES WITH ITS' HELP.
When combined with our SHREE SWASTHYAYOG THERAPY it yields fantastic results.

Answer 6

Hsing I Chuan has a five element form.

So does Hung Gar, Bak Mei, and other arts. These are pretty old forms.

Answer 7

five elements are aspects of chinese philosophy that are interjected into martial arts training in certain CMAs (chinese martial arts) to explain different things in learning and application of martial arts.

they are used to help students relate to what the teacher was trying to say.

you find this kind of stuff in all martial arts as fight training had to be simplified or taught in a way that even the dumbest person could understand what the teacher was saying to learn the technique.

lets face it, the people who made up the grunts in battle were usually farmers, manual laborers, etc. not rocket scientists so I had to be simple enough for everyone to relate to and understand.

Answer 8

Yes, but you can only use it once every 5000 years

Answer 9

bet you wish you had not asked now! lol