5 Elements - Concepts and Perceptions

Clearly the ancient eastern perception of human body is not the same as todays western X-ray assisted view; and being born out of very different cultures and technologies, eastern physiology does apparently pay greater attention to function than it does to form. In other words - what a thing does is (to the eastern observer) more important than what it looks like or where it is. This 'view' is reflected in many aspects of Chinese medicine, art and culture, and one only has to look at piece of perspective defying oriental landscape art to appreciate this difference in in the way of seeing things.

In the west our knowledge in human anatomy is based upon post mortem studies of the deceased. This approach is still treated with skepticism by by traditional Chinese physicians who quite reasonably point out that cadavers have no living energy and that the organs are not functioning. They believe that a dead body can not reveal anything significant about the dynamics of life.

As an aid to diagnosis and remedy with TCM methods such as acupuncture and massage as well as as the prescribing of potions of herbs and dietary control, the five elemental energies theory is a practical model of the human body in relationship to its environment and external influences.

Nourishment and Control - Shen and Ko

The image (left) is a graphical representation of the functioning of the five elemental energies 'in balance'.
Within the image two distinct order sequences are shown.
One, going clockwise in a circle represents the Shen - nourishing or creative cycle.
Inside of this (in a pentagon or star pattern) is shown the Ko - regulating or control cycle.

The Shen/nourishing cycle is traditionally known as the mother-son cycle.
In this order each element enables or assists the next. Thus, water nourishes wood, wood generates fire, the ashes fertilize the earth, earth yields metal by extraction and metal becomes liquid like water when it is melted. The eastern notion of metal also includes the air element.

The Ko/control cycle is traditionally known as the grandmother-son relationship.
In this order each element has the power potential to control the next.

Over-controlling and Counteracting.
Over-controlling happens when an element is too strong and is controlling the other element too much.
Counteracting is the reverse. A controlled element reacts against its controller.

To appreciate the relevance of the relationships of mother-son and grandmother-son it important that we (westerners) remember again that the culture and social structure of China is as 'different' to our own as is their medicine.

Whilst the mother-son is almost universally understood and functions in the east pretty much that same manner as it does here in the west, the relationship between elders and infants and adolescence is very different. It has come to be that in the west grandparents have a reputation for 'spoiling' their grandchildren and perhaps turning a blind eye to naughtiness when a parent would not. In the east this relationship is very different and grandparent normally take on the responsibility of disciplining the children. Thus, the Shen - nourishing and nurturing cycle is traditionally seen as a mother-son dynamic of energy and the Ko - control and regulating relationship is traditionally seen as a grandmother-son dynamic. They both "mean well"!

As this factual description of difference in the perception of a fundamental such as the role and function of family members shows, any 'in depth' understanding of TCM requires a similar understanding of the culture or anthropology of China.

Nevertheless, the simple graphic used here to illustrate the five elements theory does provide us with a remarkably comprehensive and correct model that can assist enormously in the study and understanding of Tai Chi and all other ancient or traditional eastern arts and sciences such as Feng Shui ("wind" and "water") and the reading of the I Ching.

Tai Chi is most certainly one of these ancient and traditional Chinese arts, therefore this same theory of energy dynamics is intrinsic to its practice. Tai Chi as TCM theoretically works by encouraging the practitioner and patient, whom are in this case one and the same, to simply 'go with the flow' and follow a sequence of postures, whilst turning to face particular directions and all at the same time 'visualizing' a myriad of 'energy dynamics' and characteristics.