Elemental Theories

[Johnlogic121]

Mang Chaun Kung Fu had nine 'elements' which were sets of material taken from other styles that represented either fire, air, or water. Bujinkan Ninjutsu has strong Chinese influences, and it recognizes the elements of Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, and Void. Chinese medicine has a five fold elemental model that includes "metal" as one of the elements, and the Chinese medicine model asserts that each element is like a kind of energy that builds the other two to a major or minor degree and is lessened or controlled by the other two to a major or minor degree within each of the body's organ groups. Does anybody come from a Chinese art that teaches a theory about Elements? Bujinkan Ninjutsu usually reserved teaching about the elemental model for fifth degree black belts who had passed their fifth dan test. This was possibly because misuse of the elements in teaching could cause a student harm. Does anybody have anything to share about elemental theories? -JL

[Kajukenbopr]

Xing Yi and Yiquan(i know this style better) both have element training, each element is a type of movement.

Fire,water,wood,metal, and earth. Fire is explosive, water is elusive, wood is direct, metal is destructive and earth strong smashing. Each one of these is not used just for moving, but for striking at the same time u position yourself in a better location.

it is advanced movement training, which is used to develop striking power and element mindset. there is more to these than just that, but this is so u get an idea.

[NewEnglands_KyoSa]

Yes for Tang Soo Do we have fire water wood and metal. They relate to each other in our philosophy by ranks, like this:

White Belt...Element=Metal...Season=Winter...Animal= Tiger...Meaning= New, Potential

Green Belt...Element=Wood...Season=Spring...Animal=Dragon...Meaning=Starting to Grow

Red Belt...Element=Fire...Season=Summer...Animal=Bird...Meaning=Hot,Energetic, and Agile

Black Belt...Element=Water...Season=Autumn...Animal=Turtle...Meaning=Maturity and Wisdom

[bushido_man96]

The Tae Gueks and Pal Gwe forms have elemental meanings behind them, and they are covered well in a few of the TKD books I have. They reflect what the mental aspects of doing the forms should be.

[Kajukenbopr]

wow, the dragon goes behind the turtle...

and the turtle is for black belts... didnt see that one coming...

I'm used to the chinese way: the dragon and the tiger are the strongest.

Goes to show that there is still variety in the martial arts.

[NewEnglands_KyoSa]

yes, we view it more not as strength but as you get your black belt and age you learn your way of fighting without strength. the turtle is old and full of wisdom...kinda like the turtle and the hare story.

[Kajukenbopr]

slow and steady finishes the race...

thats interesting, I thought it was a style that required more physical strength, speed and agility than anything else.

how exactly does the turtle become a part of the tang so do ability?

[NewEnglands_KyoSa]

Tang Soo Do is a lot about physical strength, you are right here. But this philosophy recognizes all martial artists as humans and in turn relate it to another living thing. In that table is the life of a plant...

new , potential...the seed in the ground is new, it has the potential to grow but may never grow for whatever reason

starting to grow...you've reached green belt you have made some sort of a commitment so in that you have grown alittle bit.

hot, energetic, and agile...representing the full grown flower in it's beauty...it is bright and vibrant and full of life.

maturity and wisdom...alot of times as life comes to its natural end you wilt, physically. as the human body slows down, the mind does not. you are a black belt, you've learned, gone through all the stages of the plant, you now no longer have your stregnth and agility and all those other physical things. but you have your maturity which helps you teach others and your wisdom which still gives you the smarts to fight.

through this process you learn that not everything is kicks and punches, some things are slips, evasions, seeing whats happening before it happens, knowing where windows are, etc.

very good question!