I remember well the words of my late teacher about the five elements: Metal means the
strength contained in the bones and the muscles, the mind being firm like iron or
stone, being able to cut gold and steel. Wood has the meaning of the bending but
rooted posture of a tree.
Water means force like the waves of the vast sea, lively like a dragon or a snake, when
used, it is able to pervade everything. Fire means strength being like gunpowder, fists
being like bullets shot out, having the strength to burn the opponent’s body by the
first touch. Earth means exerting strength heavy, deep, solid, and perfectly round, the
qi being strong, having the force of oneness with heaven and earth. This is the
syncretism of the five elements.
It has nothing to do with one technique overcoming
another technique as the modern people claim. If one first sees with the eyes, then
thinks of it again in the mind, and then launches the counter-attack towards the
enemy, it is very seldom that one will not get beaten up.