Five Element Creative/Destructive Form

FIVE ELEMENT CREATIVE/DESTRUCTIVE FORM

Next I'd like to talk about the two-man training form called the Five Element Creative/Destructive Form. This exercise demonstrates the applications of the Five Element fists and shows how the Five Elements lead into (create) and counter (destroy) each other according to the principles of the Wu Xing.

1. Metal destroys Wood, so Pi Quan counters Beng Quan.
2. Wood creates Fire, so Beng Quan leads to Pao Quan.
3. Fire destroys Metal, so Pao Quan counters Pi Quan.
4. Metal creates Water, so Pi Quan leads to Zuan Quan.
5. Water destroys Fire, so Zuan Quan counters Pao Quan.
6. Fire creates Earth, so Pao Quan leads to Heng Quan.
7. Earth destroys Water, so Heng Quan counters Zuan Quan.
8. Water creates Wood, so Zuan Quan leads to Beng Quan.
9. Wood destroys Earth, so Beng Quan counters Heng Quan.

Now, this form is somewhat difficult to completely learn from a book. Furthermore, the internet proves that several interpretations of this form exist. However, they all hold to the principles of the different Element Fists creating and destroying each other. 

In the end, this form can persist endlessly, and thus is circular, just like the Wu Xing cycle.