Learn KUNG FU OnlineNg Hang 五行 (Cantonese) / Wǔ Xíng 五行 (Mandarin) is the Chinese theory of the Dynamic Five Elements. It’s not a martial art per se; but just like with Wu Wei, it’s a universal principle that martial arts systems can embody if they wish.
I personally train in several different Kung Fu systems that are independently organised according to Wu Xing theory in their own distinct ways. Some are long-fist systems; some are short-strike systems. Some are deeply internal systems; some are quite external systems. Some are very traditional systems; some are modern innovations. Some are mainly Tai Chi moves; some are mainly Wing Chun moves; some are mainly Shaolin moves; some are mainly Boxing moves. Some are just for empty hands; some are trained with weapons too.
Wu Xing theory explained
Mastering movement through sacred elemental flow.
Wu Xing theory is an ever-fresh novelty for those who can never get enough.
The Neverending Novelty. The Unholy Insight. The Unnecessary Extra Perspective.
I believe that the most natural & balanced flow, according to various Kung Fu systems and training exercises, matches the Dynamic Five Elements’ Cycle of Creation & Nourishment, which looks like this: Wood (& Organics) feeds into Fire which feeds into Earth which feeds into Metal (& Crystal) which feeds into Water which feeds back into Wood and the cycle continues, as per the arrows in the circle around the outside of the Wu Xing pentacle diagram (below).
Knowing the Dynamic Five Elements (Wu Xing) theory is not strictly a necessary ingredient of being a complete fighter. Some would say it’s even a step too far – an unhealthy distraction – but it’s a fascinating brain teaser and an aid for reflecting to help you develop from another angle and to help you present relevant systems in well organised ways.
This system of martial theory offers new insights into classic Kung Fu moves and combinations, from popular systems like Wing Chun and Tai Chi, answering some otherwise unanswered questions and opening up a whole new world of mechanical logic to explore.
There are very few schools in the world today, applying Wu Xing theory to practical Kung Fu mechanics – even fewer doing it comprehensively the other way round – but it makes so much sense I can’t not acknowledge it. If nothing else, Dynamic Five Elements theory helps to validate or criticise your favourite technique combinations to a level of detail & certainty that seems almost supernatural.
Listen to Bud
Don’t just take my word for it. Listen to Bud!
He doesn’t talk about the Five Elements here, but he does explain the basic concept of there being a counter to every counter; and how at the highest level of boxing, many boxers have an instinct of what to expect, so they prepare for it, and this directly dictates at least some parts of their flow.
There is a counter for every counter.
Terence ‘Bud’ Crawford — 2025
So why not just copy Bud? By all means, do that too. But he focuses mainly on the Gloved sport of Clean Boxing under Queensberry Rules.
Example transitions
Earth into Metal
Bai Jong / Jong Sau / Zhan Zhuang while waiting. This is Yin Earth. Then catch (Wu Sau – Yin Earth) and roll (Bong Sau – Yang Earth). The Bong Sau roll combines with a Lap Sau by the other hand which is half way between Yang Earth rolling and Yin Metal splitting. Then this goes into a Fak Sau chop (Yang Metal).
The initial redirection – the Earth rolling – is fast and effortless, and barely felt by the opponent. When this turns into a clear separation and counter chop, the opponent realises they’ve deeply fallen into it. They may change their Yang Water pressure on your Yin Earth, into piercing Yang Wood energy, to better defeat your Earth defence, but you’ve already rolled into Metal, which chops their Wood. Staying 1 step ahead.
Metal into Water
Water comes after the Metal chop. It comes before Wood. Water is heavy hands, light core. It has impulse (followthrough momentum that moves them) without impact (no surface shock) – the opposite to fire in these ways, since fire is impact without impulse, and light hands with strong core, inline with their Bagua Trigrams and the similar pictographs that the Chinese Characters were based on.
Water drills down (Yin) as in Roll Back, and/or lifts up (Yang) as in Seung Tok Sau. It’s the specialty of soft grappling arts like Judo, Aikido, Shuai Jiao, Qin Na, etc. It’s also trained in Tai Chi Push Hands more than Wing Chun Sticky Hands; while Wing Chun Sticky Hands has a stronger element of Fire power.
Water into Wood
Gam Sau (pinning hand) is Yin Wood (compressing) energy. A long reaching straight punch, like a jab, is a classic example of Yang Wood (piercing) energy. Gam Da can be a combination of the two, and is a great way of dealing with Earth energy, ie, someone standing with a strong guard that could withstand simple pushing & pulling while also blocking ill-conceived strikes (a good guard is adaptive not rigid – Earth is ready to flow into Metal, to cut the Wood which would bother the Earth).
Wood into Fire and back to Earth
After you bridge the gap with crushing & piercing Wood moves, then you go to town with rapidfire punching combinations that sting like a swarm of bees, or a fire. Yin Fire is about getting hands on top where you can force openings for your shots to the head or neck, using moves like Huen Sau and Jut Sau to sharply assert positional dominance and get the ‘upper hand’.
After fully letting your hands go with a burst of Yang Fire power, it’s only natural to raise some kind of Jong Sau or Wu Sau structure to catch what may be coming back at you, and if you feel something, roll it off – this is where Fire returns to Earth and the cycle continues.
Earth’s role is mainly about feeding from Fire, into Earth, into Metal. It’s about catching & rolling Water (intended to put out the Fire that you did prior to Earth).
Example Drill
This is an example of a focused drill, training Earth energy, as well as what immediately preceeds it (Yang Fire) and what immediately follows it (Yin Metal). Meanwhile, your partner will be training their Water energy – playing the grappler who subdues the boxer, and then dealing with his switch to anti-grappling.
- Start with light flurry of rapid punches – Yang Fire energy.
- Partner responds by grabbing you with heavy hands, fluid core. To trap & smother your punching, and weigh you down, with Yin Water energy. Followed by any kind of lifting throw – Yang Water energy.
- But you immediately transition from punching into a Wu Sau and/or Jong Sau type move (Yin Earth energy), to catch & absorb their Water energy. Rolling them off by any means (Yang Earth), and look for opportunities to split their guard – Yin Metal energy.
Why incorporate this concept?
Aside from being first & foremost a fine art, rooted in mastery of combative techniques; this particular training & reflection methodology is especially valuable in providing inspiration to help you overcome obstacles, such as answering “what to do next” in combination flows, or “how to deal with this technical problem” etc.
Depending how advanced & openminded the student is, this system may encourage them to explore a whole new set of techniques and find the right place for them. For example they may be doing mostly boxing (fire power) and have little experience with grappling (water power) or vice versa. This system shows how to flow between these skillsets, and proves the value in learning other skillsets until all five elemental energies are comprehensively embodied by the martial artist.
Don’t forget: awareness trumps technique
Emptyminded awareness trumps learned technique. This is a universal principle that holds true beyond the scope of martial arts.
Through Sticky Hands and Push Hands training, and through similar exercises in other martial arts, the value of emptymindedness becomes apparent. Operating purely in the awareness of the instantly responsive, unbiased subconscious mind, without any interfering conscious thoughts, allows us to overcome all levels of learned techinque. At least so far as is within the scope of these exercises.
This kind of training to avoid localising the mind, is really quite meditative in principle. It does wonders for our mental & spiritual health, and yet is built into a stimulating physical exercise, making it accessible even to those who can’t sit still for long.
Although martial art is a minor path, we can by means of the lesser glimpse the greater.
Chen Xin (1849-1929)