XING YI QUAN

FIVE ELEMENT FIST

PI QUAN

According to Xing Yi Quan Xue, by Sun Lu Tang, Pi Quan is the first of the five element fists to be studied in Xing Yi.

Pi Quan means "splitting fist." Its element is metal, an element which belongs to the lungs.

As stated by Sun Lu Tang in Xing Yi Quan Xue, pg. 84,

"It belongs to the lungs in the human body and forms the splitting action in the boxing. If it acts with an erroneous strength, there is perverse Qi in the lungs...erroneous Qi makes the body weak. A weak body incurs diseases and its boxing will be obstructed and ineffective. Therefore, splitting fist should be studied first."

The essential application of Pi Quan is two fold. One, the inside arm catches the arm. Two, the outside arm applies a chop the the upper arm, shoulder, or face. As shown in Sun Lu Tang's description in Xing Yi Quan Xue of the Five Element Creative/Destructive Fist two-man set, it would seem that Pi Quan is usually applied to the leading fist from the outside (pg. 136). Most videos I've seen of the Pi Quan fist being applied seem to demonstrate this same tendency (i.e. attacking the leading arm from the outside) The illustrations on this page also seem to indicate that the Pi Quan motion can be applied as both a fist or a palm.

Pi Quan is used to destroy Beng Quan, the wood fist, following the Wu Xing philosophy that metal destroys wood. The fist that destroys Pi Quan is Pao Quan, which follows the Wu Xing philosophy that fire destroys metal. Basically, Pi Quan can redirect Beng Quan and destroy the arm or face, whilst Pao Quan can intercept the Pi Quan with the lead arm while the rear arm attacks the exposed inside of Pi Quan.

As a defensive technique, it seems Pi Quan can step forward or step back to suit the situation. Certainly, the motion may also be used to attack the face or arm of an attacker from the inside. However, as shown above, it seems the preference is to attack from outside.