The Five Elements

Many ancient philosophies use a set of archetypal elements to explain patterns in nature. Elemental representations are found in texts from Ancient Greece, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, Ancient China and Japan, Buddhism, Hinduism, Paganism, Psychology and Physics.

Martial Way uses the Five Element Theory predominantly in a martial arts combat context, to create a interpretive framework for reacting to and responding to attacks. It takes most of its teachings from the Japanese Godai system (the Five Great Elemental Manifestations), a lore intertwined with the arts associated with the historic Shadow Warriors of Japan, the Ninja.

The five elements of the Godai, their symbolic representations, their appearance in the human being and their use in the teachings of martial arts are (in ascending order):


EARTH - (chi) - a solid state - a natural posture

EARTH represents the firm, hard objects that appear in existence. Rocks are probably the best symbol of the earth element in nature in that they are incapable of change, movement or growth without the help of the other elements.

In the human being, the Earth element shows up in the body as the bones, muscles and other tissues. In the mind it is the confidence and emotionally it is a desire to have things remain as they are, a resistance to change. When under the influence of this Earth mode we are aware of our own physicality and sureness of action.

As a means of self protection, when the attack starts Earth represents our desire to hold our ground and 'crush' the assailants attack with our strength. We are calm and unbothered by their threats and we firmly resolve to stop them in their tracks.



WATER - (sui) - a liquid state - a defensive posture

WATER represents a flowing or adaptable state. A running stream is able to bend and adapt to its environment as it flows over and around obstacles in its path.

In our bodies the Water element represents the blood and other fluids necessary for life. Mentally the element is the ability to adapt and change our strategy, or way of doing things, if change is needed. At our core, it is our emotionalism and ability to go with the flow.

In self protection strategies, the Water element identifies both our defensive adaptation to an enemy's attack and our ability to 'flow' with the attack. The feeling of being overwhelmed by their force or technique causes us to want to back up and create more space and time between us, as we attempt to cover and protect our targets from their attacking limbs.



FIRE - (ka) - an energy releasing state - an offensive posture

FIRE represents a combustible, energy-releasing state. It symbolises force and direction, for example, a fireball hurling forward.

In our bodies, this element is represented by our metabolism and body heat. Mentally it is our directness, committment and desire to be better than we are. Internally come the qualities of will or intention, motivation and competitiveness as well as an outgoing or domineering spirit.

As a self protection strategy, Fire represents an attitude of foresight. We perceive the potential for attack and direct our committed spirit at our opponent as we take the fight to them.


WIND - (fu) - a gaseous state - a receiving posture

WIND is the symbolic representation for elements in a gaseous state. Freedom of movment and an expanding nature are the keys here, like a cloud of smoke floating in the air.

In our body, the Wind element is our respiration and the processing of oxygen and other gasses between cells. Mentally it is our intellectual capabilities and our ability to be 'open-minded'. Emotionally, we are carefree and not influenced by stress.

As a basis for self protection, this element shows our desire to avoid and stay just beyond the reach of an opponent. We naturally want to avoid any conflicts or at least a direct confrontation. Our strategy is reflected in our timing and evasive movements that allow us to flank him and smother his assault attempt if necessary.


VOID - (ku) - subatomic energy - the substance from which all things take form - the source of all elements

The VOID is the name for the creative foundation of all that is. The subatomic material that forms the atoms that group into the molecules that form all other material things in the universe is the base example from nature. Human beings in a higher conscious state are a good representative of this element.

In the body, the Void element is our ability to think and communicate with others. Mentally and emotionally it represents our creative nature, as well as our personal means of self expression as we identify with and operate in the world around us.

As a self protection method Void represents the creative and spontaneous flow between the lower elements as we adapt to and alter our techniques as our emotional state changes from moment to moment. We literally make up the technique as we go. This element gives the ability to let go of any preset technique or mental chatter about "what we will do if he...." and clear our mind so that we can sense the impressions and feelings that will tell us what he is preparing to do. With this we are able to communicate with our attacker in an attempt to diffuse the situation before it comes physical. The Void element also involves the strategy of altering an attacker's perception of truth and falsehood. We have the ability to make the attacker think we are doing one thing when in fact we are doing the complete opposite.


The five elements, as codes for action in a self protection situation, serve as a guide for human beings in relating their emotional moods and responses to their mental and physical options.