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Wudang Daoist Traditional
Kungfu Academy
Wudang Five Animals Qigong (武当五形气功)
The Five Animals of Wudang
Wudang Five Animals Qigong (武当五形气功) is a Daoist health system unique to Wudang Mountain — distinct from the better-known Wu Qin Xi (五禽戏) attributed to Hua Tuo. Where the secular Five-Animal Frolics imitate tiger, deer, bear, monkey and bird for general fitness, the Wudang Five Forms draw on five animal totems of the Daoist tradition — Dragon (龙), Tiger (虎), Leopard (豹), Snake (蛇) and Crane (鹤) — each mapped to one of the Five Elements (五行) and one of the body’s vital organs.
Five Elements, Five Organs
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Dragon (龙) · Water (水) · Kidneys (肾)— rising, stretching force that loosens the sinews and frees the flow of Qi
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Tiger (虎) · Metal (金) · Lungs (肺) — powerful exhalation that strengthens the spine and clears the chest
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Leopard (豹) · Wood (木) · Liver (肝) — quick, explosive spirit that sharpens focus and circulation
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Snake (蛇) · Earth (土) · Spleen (脾) — supple, coiling energy that gathers internal power and steadies the lower body
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Crane (鹤) · Fire (火) · Heart (心) — balanced, light stance that grounds and replenishes
The Five Animals Qigong is unique because of the direct correlation of the practice to the Five Phase Theory. Each posture relates to a specific meridian, and therefore a specific phase and organ and myriad other relationship as well. To understand this vast network of self diagnosis and self cultivation, the practice of qigong is an essential step.
— an ideal foundation before martial forms or standing meditation.