Episode 132 - The Five Elements

The "Five Elements" is another basic principle in the Taiji martial art system which has always been misinterpreted by contemporary writers or practitioners.

Some people simply consider these elements as moving forward / backward or taking care of left / right. Some go too far to equate them with the skills of "Sticking, Adhering, Connecting and Following" and adding the "non contentious" as the "Five Inside Elements".

To better understand the nature of the Five Elements, we have to consider them from the perspective of "Turning Yin and Yang Upside Down".

According to "On the Art of Taiji", "Forward and Backward" are the steps of "Water and Fire"; whereas "Left and Right" are the steps of Metal and Wood. The Earth "Centre" is the centre of the dynamic.

If you look at the Five Elements in accordance the rationale behind the principle of "Turning Yin and Yang upside down", you will know that you need to use backward to support forward and vice versa; and you will need to use your left side to support your right side and vice versa - Regarding the importance of centre, please see previous postings.

That's the essence of the 13 forms - We manipulate the application skills by adopting the 8 directions principle (the 4 squares and the 4 corners) and we move around (or unmove) by adopting the principles of the 5 elements.

These 13 forms are inborn (but lost) abilities. They can be revived through the "Know your ownself" training. It is a mistake to confuse them with the "Sticking, Adhering, Connecting and Following" - the latters are the basic skills required in the stage of the "Know Others".