Chinese five elements philosphy

[Sasori_Te]

oops, sorry Delta, I didn't read your posts. I agree with you fully.

[delta1]

oops, sorry Delta, I didn't read your posts. I agree with you fully.

 

Hey, you don't have to apologise to me for agreeing with me!

 

The rest of the forum might expect an apology, though!

 

[47MartialMan]

Wasn't this extracted from Daoist/Daoism?

[Sasori_Te]

Yes it was. So was the meridian system. This is not surprising since the Daoists were the men of science of their day.

 

Why do you ask 47mm?

 

Also, before we get into a big conversation, I know that Daoism is a "religion".

[47MartialMan]

I have been studying Eastern religions and philosophy for some time. I started with Confusiam, then Buddhism, now I am on Daoism.

[White Warlock]

I've always considered the five elements to be a means of visualization. With 5 being a prime number, the placement of triangular theory within a pentagon (5 elements visually represented) shows motion, of a circular nature. Ugh... too ambiguous.

 

I suppose, if you were aiming for a simple comparison, look to that of a color wheel, with the 3 colors of red green and blue and then black and white being additive or subtractive of the three basic hues. Red being fire, green being wood, blue being metal. Ugh... still too ambiguous.

 

Okay, i think i'll step away now. I've never considered the 5 elements as anything more than a means to visualize. Personally, i find it far too... ambiguous.

[Zhong Gau]

Rotten Head Fok, AngelaG, Sansori Te:

 

there is a footwork pattern that is based on a four or five petaled plum flower known as "Plum Flower Footwork". this is kind of like 'Shaolin hopscotch and musical chairs' combined but is primarily for developing a sense of movement around an opponent while kicking. five elements qiqong practice is also associated with the exercise.

 

to make a plum flower footpad:

 

Clear a large area. make a center spot. two steps away mark a second spot. from the second spot place a third and fourth one step out and forty-five to sixty degrees out from the center line from point a to point b. the angle should be symetrical and 45 degrees for a five petal, 60 degrees for four petal. stand on either the third or fourth points facing inward towards the other point and arc your foot from point b along the ground making a line. do this from the opposite point as well. the place where the two lines intersect furthest from point A (origin) is the last point in the petal. Mark it.

 

do this three more times each at a ninty degree pivot from the previous petal from point A. this is a basic plum flower. use it to practice moving in stances, twisting, kicking and balance. although it may feel natural to use your hands to counter-balance your sweeping or wide angled kicks -don't. sometimes, Shaolin monks would tie thier hands behind thier back to get more out of this training. it takes dedication. I installed one for chan back in 1990, but they don't even use it.

 

sometimes this is called "square dancing".

 

the five elements i refer to is the five elements from Hsing-I/Xing-Yi and Hung Gar. it is principle of movement and technique augmentation. you can get videos of these sets.

[Zhong Gau]

AngelaG:

 

have you ever noticed your opponent get a sudden case of explosive diarhea when you stomp and link gb41 to water and wood? not to mention fallen arches!