[Downloaded free from http://www.cmaconweb.org on Tuesday, January 8, 2019, IP: 10.232.74.

26]

Original Article

Hua Tuo’s Wu Qin Xi (Five Animal Frolics) Movements

and the Logic behind It
Saša Balaneskovic
President of Serbian Qigong Association, Belgrade, Serbia

Abstract
The key proposition of this hypothesis is logic behind the order of movements of Hua Tuo’s qigong Wu Qin Xi (Five animal frolics). To date,
there were many discussions about connection of the movements of Wu Qin Xi with existing TCM theories and why Hua Tuo made it in that
particular way. Some experts are saying that there is no connection but if all stories of Hua Tuo’s abilities and knowledge were half-truth, he
wouldn’t let even the order of movements of qigong that he created be just a random order. Hypothesis is exploring different views on Taiji
movement direction, Wu Xing and connection between animals in Wu Qin Xi, Lo Shu square and Sun wheel and proposing possible solution to
the question “Why Hua Tuo made such order of animals in Wu Qin Xi?” by analyzing and and cross referencing the common ground between
theories and bridging the gap the we were left without any written explanation from the master itself. Further progress and confirmation of
this hypothesis requires deeper research and cooperation between Qigong expert historians.

Keywords: Five Animal Frolics Qigong, Hua Tuo, Taiji movement orientation, Wu Qin Xi Qigong, Wu Xing

China has given the world four great inventions of ancient, bear, and stretching and twisting (the neck) like a bird; – all
but also of the modern time. Those inventions are compass, this simply shows the desire for longevity. This is what the
gunpowder, papermaking, and printing. scholars who manipulate their breath, and the men who nourish
the body and wish to live as long as Pang Tsû, are fond of.”
Some scholars are claiming that even Jie Qi or 24 Solar
Terms can be considered as a fifth great invention. And, by What is described here is early form of now modern Qigong
all means, detailed description of the agricultural customs, called Tu Na and Dao Yin exercises.
weather changes, healthy diet habits, and even Daoyin
Methods of prevention, health preservation and healing through
exercises described in 24 Solar Terms are making this calendar
mind and body movements that were accompanying therapies
a remarkable ancient masterpiece.
such as acupuncture, herbal drugs, tui na, and moxibustion
However, if 24 Solar Terms should be fifth invention, Chinese were vastly used in ancient times. They had different names,
Medicine and Qigong should be the sixth. forms, and structure depending on origin, purpose, usage, and
explanation of theory, etc.
There is ample evidence that a variety of different methods,
routines, practices, and techniques were used by the people Names like Daoyin (leading and guiding energy), Yangsheng
of ancient China to alleviate pain, prevent diseases, increase (preserving life methods), Tu Na (breathing exercises),
vitality, improve well‑being, contribute to longevity, or even and many more were used to describe them in proper way,
produce enjoyment. and they had one thing in common – theories of traditional
Zhuang Zi [Figure 1] who lived around 4th century BC in
Warring States period said in his book “Outer Chapters” Address for correspondence: Mr. Saša Balanesković,
chapter “Ingrained ideas:”[1] “Blowing and breathing with open President of Serbian Qigong Association, Teacher of Qigong and Taijiquan,
Acupuncture and Tui Na Practitioner, Raljska 12/3, Belgrade, Serbia.
mouth; inhaling and exhaling the breath; expelling the old E‑mail: [email protected]
breath and taking in new; passing their time like the (dormant)

This is an open access journal, and articles are distributed under the terms of the Creative
Access this article online Commons Attribution‑NonCommercial‑ShareAlike 4.0 License, which allows others to
Quick Response Code: remix, tweak, and build upon the work non‑commercially, as long as appropriate credit
Website: is given and the new creations are licensed under the identical terms.
www.cmaconweb.org
For reprints contact: [email protected]

DOI: How to cite this article: Balaneskovic S. Hua Tuo’s Wu Qin Xi (Five
10.4103/CMAC.CMAC_32_18 Animal Frolics) movements and the logic behind it. Chin Med Cult
2018;1:127-34.

© 2019 Chinese Medicine and Culture | Published by Wolters Kluwer ‑ Medknow 127

[Downloaded free from http://www.cmaconweb.org on Tuesday, January 8, 2019, IP: 10.232.74.26]

Balaneskovic: Hua Tuo’s Wu Qin Xi (Five Animal Frolics) movements and logic behind it

Chinese medicine and cosmology – Taiji (YinYang theory),

Wu Xing (Five element theory), Zang Fu (internal organs
theory), Jing Luo (energy meridians theory), and movement
of Qi, blood, and body fluids.
Today, the most commonly used name for most forms and
routines for most people is just Qigong.
There are some archeological artifacts that are representing
some breathing techniques in standing post (Zhan Zhuang)
postures from Majiayao Culture [Figure 2] dating from 3300
to 2000 BC. This pottery [Figure 3] piece presents a figure
with female and male characteristics, holding hands in front
of the belly, while the mouth is open. This posture is similar
to the known position, the so‑called “holding the ball” in
Zhan Zhuang.
Figure 1: Picture of Zhuang Zi, 4th Century BC
In addition, there is a pottery artifact with picture showing
figures of people holding hands that is presumed to be some
sort of ancient DaoYin exercise or “Great dance [Figure 4] (Da
Wu).”
One of the most famous is tomb artifact from Mawangdui
which depicts many postures of the Daoyin exercises
practiced at that time. Found artifacts are from Han dynasty
(206 BC–220 AD), and one of the most valuable artifacts is
known as Mawangdui Daoyin [Figure 5] Silk scroll. This scroll
has 44 postures of various exercises aimed to prolong life and
heal body and mind. Many of these postures can be still found
in various Qigong systems such as Ba Duan Jin, Yi Jin Jing,
Liu Zi Jue, and Wu Qin Xi.
During Han dynasty, the most famous doctor of Chinese
medicine was known as Hua Tuo [Figure 6]. He was expert in
several fields, including acupuncture, gynecology, pediatrics, Figure 2: Pottery from Majiayao culture in Zhan Zhuang posture
and surgery.[2] For the latter, he invented various herbal
anesthetics. One, known as numbing powder (Mafeisan), was
taken with alcohol before surgery.[3] Hua Tuo was famous
for his diagnostic skills and he also invented one of the most
famous and one of my favorite Qigong forms called Wu Qin
Xi or Five Animal Frolics.
He used to say that “Movement is the only reason that teeth
are falling out and tongue is not!” and that “Moving water
can’t become stale and that worms can’t be found in door
hinges” meaning that he considered movement to be a way
of healthy life.
By observing movements of various animals, ancient people
concluded that some repeating movements enhance animals’
overall abilities and health.
In Hua Tuo’s Wu Qin Xi, we have five animals that he
observed – tiger, deer, bear, monkey, and bird. Every animal Figure 3: Author of article in similar Zhan Zhuang posture
has its own characteristic, ability, strength, or weakness that
practitioner wants to awake or to conquer in his or hers own The Five Animal Exercises imitate the movements of five
mind and body by practicing. Movements are performed with animals and combining physical with mental exercises. The
intention on particular animal behavior and practitioner is physical movements are designed to show the courage and
trying to mimic the animal spirit as well. robustness of the tiger; serenity and poise of the deer; the

128 Chinese Medicine and Culture ¦ Volume 1 ¦ Issue 3 ¦ October-December 2018

[Downloaded free from http://www.cmaconweb.org on Tuesday, January 8, 2019, IP: 10.232.74.26]

Balaneskovic: Hua Tuo’s Wu Qin Xi (Five Animal Frolics) movements and logic behind it

Figure 5: Mawangdui Daoyin Tu

Figure 4: Pottery from Majiayao culture showing movements of “Great

Dance”

Figure 7: Postures of Wu Qin Xi

One of Hua’s outstanding disciples, Wu Pu, practiced

the Five‑Animal Frolics every day and lived for more
than 100 years. In his book, entitled “The Five‑Animal
Classic,” Wu quoted his teacher as saying that human body
needs exercise, but it should never be done to the point of
exhaustion.
“The body needs a certain amount of movement. This
movement serves to properly balance right and left and to
redistribute and assimilate the various grain energies; it also
Figure 6: Picture of Hua Tuo
causes the blood to circulate smoothly and prevents the arising
steadiness and solidity of the bear; the nimbleness and dexterity of diseases.
of the monkey; and the swiftness and grace of the bird. The The human body is like a door hinge that never comes to
physical movements are at all times integrated with the mental rest. This is why Daoists practice healing exercises. They
exercises which are supposed to imitate the spiritual activities imitate the movements of the bear, which hangs itself head
and expressions of the animals.[4] down from a tree, and of the owl, which keeps turning its
The exercises have the aim of strengthening muscles and head in different ways. They stretch and bend the waist,
bones, promoting the circulation of Qi and blood, preventing and move all the joints and muscles of their bodies in order
and curing diseases, maintaining good health, and prolonging to evade aging.
the life span. The external dynamic physical activities should I myself have developed a series of exercises which I name
be integrated with the static activities of the mind. Exercising the Five Animals’ Frolic [Figure 7]. The five animals are tiger,
limbs, waist, trunk, and spine can increase the movement range deer, bear, monkey, and bird. The practice of the frolic aids
and physical efficiency. the elimination of diseases and increases the functioning of
Exercises of the fingers and toes are particularly emphasized the limbs and joints. Whenever a disorder is felt in the body,
for improving the blood circulation to the extremities but also one of the animals should be practiced until one perspires
for stimulating the acupuncture points that can be found there. freely. When perspiration is strong, one should cover the
affected parts of the body with powder. In due course, the
Unfortunately, Hua Tuo did not leave us any written document
body becomes lighter and more comfortable, and a healthy
or the pictures of Wu Qin Xi performance, so we do not have
appetite will return.”[5]
the exact set that he invented. We now have the modified
sets that are close to the postures and movements that were One thing that is for sure original is the animals that are
performed in the past, all thanks to the generations that were playing the movements and their connection to the Wu Xing
passing on this great Daoyin form. (Five element) theory.

Chinese Medicine and Culture ¦ Volume 1 ¦ Issue 3 ¦ October-December 2018 129

[Downloaded free from http://www.cmaconweb.org on Tuesday, January 8, 2019, IP: 10.232.74.26]

Balaneskovic: Hua Tuo’s Wu Qin Xi (Five Animal Frolics) movements and logic behind it

Every animal is actually connected to the single this kind of movement can represent our life going from one
element [Table 1], which should correspond to the Wu Xing point to another, from birth to the death. This representation
(Five Element Theory) circle movement. of Taiji Tu can be applied for most of the people.
Except it is not. Why is that so?
However, when we start to practice Daoyin, we will work on
If we follow the Wu Xing theory, we have several options of prolonging our life so for us different YinYang symbol could
the element movements [Figure 8]: be applied – Yin and Yang moving in clockwise opposite
• Gene r at i ng /c reat ion ci rcle wh ich is
direction, from right to left, and if we imagine our time like
wood‑fire‑earth‑metal‑water‑wood
• Overcoming/destroying which is
wood‑earth‑water‑fire‑metal‑wood
• Insulting/controlling which is
wood‑metal‑fire‑water‑earth‑wood and none of the circles
described is the same as the Wu Qin Xi circle which is
wood‑water‑earth‑fire‑metal [Figure 9].
Furthermore, when we try to draw the movement and make
something out of it, picture does not has any resemblance to
any of the three options in Wu Xing theory. Neither reveals
too much in terms of Hua Tuo’s intention and idea to set this
movements like this.
When someone sees this picture, it does not make any sense
bearing in mind very precise and extensive theories of Chinese
medicine and Chinese love for symmetry and esthetics.
It was puzzling me for a long time – why did Hua Tuo made
that particular order of animals and their movements? Why Figure 8: Wu Xing connections and directions
did he disturb the perfect Wu Xing order?
The more I thought about it and try to analyze the Wu
Xing connections all logic behind it seemed to be more far
away.
Than I thought that, if I want to understand the logic of the Wu
Qin Xi order and connection to order of Wu Qin Xi animal
movements, I have to think in the terms of the people that
lived 2000 years ago.
One of the things that pushed me more to the resolve this
enigma was the lecture of the professor Qu Lifang from
Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. She
mentioned interesting points about direction of the Taiji
Tu [Figure 10] and old view on it. I will try to repeat what
she has told us as one of the representations and possible
explanations on Yin Yang movements.
Figure 9: Movements of animals from Wu Qin Xi in Wu Xing circle
Namely she said that most used representation of Yin
Yang (Taiji Tu) is with Yang above the Yin, moving clockwise,
from left to right. If we imagine our time like a straight line,

Table 1: Correspondence of Wu Xing and animals in Wu

Qin Xi
Element Direction Season Color Organ
Tiger Wood East Spring Green Liver
Deer Water North Winter Black Kidneys
Bear Earth Center Late summer Yellow Spleen
Monkey Fire South Summer Red Heart a b
Bird Metal West Autumn White Lungs Figure 10: (a and b) Left and right directions of Taiji Tu

130 Chinese Medicine and Culture ¦ Volume 1 ¦ Issue 3 ¦ October-December 2018

[Downloaded free from http://www.cmaconweb.org on Tuesday, January 8, 2019, IP: 10.232.74.26]

Balaneskovic: Hua Tuo’s Wu Qin Xi (Five Animal Frolics) movements and logic behind it

a straight line, this kind of movement can represent our life

Table 2: Table of left and right directions of Taiji Tu
going from one point to another, from birth to the death, but
at slower rate since we would be slowing down the time by Towards left Towards right
practicing Qigong, Daoyin, etc.
This view made me think more about the movement of the
Yin and Yang, Taiji Tu orientation and its symbolism and also
about older and different representations of Wu Xing and five
directions (east‑west, north‑south, and center).
Great scientist that Hua Tuo was for sure, would not make a
mistake and make the Wu Qin Xi in the way that he did. It had
to have some logic and science behind.
Let us explore the Taiji orientation. We have two orientations – to
the left and to the right [Table 2].
But, also, solar or polar orientation:
• The solar orientation consists in looking in the
southern direction and following the movement of the
sun from east to west, from left to right and privileging
the left
• The polar orientation comes down to looking in the Table 3: Table of solar and polar directions of Taiji Tu
northern direction and following the astral move around Solar orientation Polar orientation
the polar star from east to west, from right to left and to
giving preference to the right [Table 3].
Zhuangzi, who lived during the 7 th century BC, said:
“Spring gives birth on the left, Autumn destroys on the right,
Summer helps growing ahead and Winter puts in reserves
behind.”
According to the usual correspondence between seasons and
compass points, south is ahead and north behind. Thus, during
the era of the previous Han dynasty (from the 2nd century BC
to the year 0), right seems to have supplanted left, at least in
the framework of official functions.
Thinking about movement and orientation of Yin and
Yang, I remembered that during ancient times, movement
of the stars and Sun was described by many different
symbols and one of them is swastika. Swastika or wàn
(on pinyin or 萬 or 万) is a cross with four perpendicular Furthermore, one of the earliest swastika [Figure 12] or sun
wheel is found in today’s Ukraine in Mezine which dates
handles describing the movements of a Little and Big
12,000 years back in history.
Dipper while the center (axis mundi) is the Polar star.
It represents the whole of creation, a homonym for the One of the earliest cultures that are known to have used the
number 10,000 or “myriad of things” as described in Tao Swastika was a Neolithic culture in southern part of Europe, in
Te Ching [Figure 11]. the area that is now Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia, and Herzegovina,
known as the Vinca Culture [Figures 13 and 14], which dates
According to the Rene Guenon (French author and intellectual
back around 8000 years.
who remains an influential figure in the domain of metaphysics)
says that this symbol represents the activity (Chinese Taiyi, There is also vast amount of pottery [Figure 15] that
“Great One”) of the principle of the universe in the formation presents postures found similar to Maijiyao culture
of the world.[6] pottery!
According to him, the swastika/wàn in its polar value has the Indo European nations in this case the Slavs and Vedic culture
same meaning of the yin and yang symbol of the Chinese of Indo‑Aryans attached great importance to the cross‑like
tradition, and of other traditional symbols of the working of objects in history. The Swastika, known in Slavic world as
the universe (Source: Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/ Kolovrat, was a sacred symbol that carried a huge significance
wiki/René_Guénon). in Early Slavic culture.

Chinese Medicine and Culture ¦ Volume 1 ¦ Issue 3 ¦ October-December 2018 131

[Downloaded free from http://www.cmaconweb.org on Tuesday, January 8, 2019, IP: 10.232.74.26]

Balaneskovic: Hua Tuo’s Wu Qin Xi (Five Animal Frolics) movements and logic behind it

Figure 11: Detail of astrology manuscript, ink on silk, BCE 2nd century,
Han, unearthed from Mawangdui Tomb 3rd, Changsha, Hunan Province, Figure 12: Picture of Swastika from Mezine, Ukraine
China

Figure 13: Vinca Culture Alphabet

Table 4: Lo Shu square and Wu Xing connection

Fire (火)
7 (extinction)
2 (generation)
Wood (木) Earth (土) Metal (金)
8 (extinction) 5 (generation) 4 (generation) Figure 14: Vinca Culture Map
3 (generation) 10 (extinction) 9 (extinction)
1 (generation) and history and I remembered representation of four cardinal
6 (extinction) directions (east‑west, north‑south, and center as axis) and
Water (水)
Yellow river map – Lo Shu Square [Figure 17], which is again
one representation of the movement of the Yin and Yang!
Swastika or Kolovrat symbolized infinite values in our culture; [Table 4].
for example, from mythological aspect the spinning wheel
symbolized the infinity and repeating the cycle (the fight between If we take a look at a more detailed explanation of this
Slavic Gods Perun and Veles) in fight between Good and Evil. diagram, we can see that it corresponds to the Wu Xing
theory – but presented as a 5‑element cross rather than a
In Slavic mythology, the Swastika or Kolovrat was also called
5‑element circle.
the “little sun” and in the early phases of Slavic Pagans, it
was the symbol of the Sun God = “Svarog” (in Polish also, It is also representation of the spleen (earth) playing the
Swarożyc). role of the old seamstress, making connection between
Wooden Slavic monuments called “Idols” [Figure 16] were heart and kidneys and liver and lungs as seen in Neijing
usually depictions of Slavic gods and on most of these Idols Tu [Figure 18].
Slavs used to engrave them with Swastika. If we connect elements in the order of Wu Qin Xi
Also, during burials, the Symbol of Swastika or Kolovrat was animals (wood‑water‑earth‑fire‑metal or east, north, center,
also engraved on wooden Idols above graves of deceased ones as south, and west) in 5‑element [Figure 19] cross representation
a symbol of eternity and constant cycle between life and death. and draw the line, we can see one figure emerging in the shape
of S.
That universal symbolism of exchange and dance of Yin and
Yang in different cultures took me back to Chinese culture It is one part of the ancient swastika/wàn symbol!

132 Chinese Medicine and Culture ¦ Volume 1 ¦ Issue 3 ¦ October-December 2018

[Downloaded free from http://www.cmaconweb.org on Tuesday, January 8, 2019, IP: 10.232.74.26]

Balaneskovic: Hua Tuo’s Wu Qin Xi (Five Animal Frolics) movements and logic behind it

a b

Figure 15: (a and b) Vinca Culture Pottery

Figure 16: Picture of Slavic Sun Wheel

Figure 17: Picture of Lo Shu Square

Table 5: Connection between the orientation of Taiji Tu,

order of movements of Wu Qin Xi, and Wu Xing
Solar orientation Polar orientation

Figure 18: Picture of Neijing Tu

Table 5 shows the connection between orientation of Taiji

Tu, order of movements of Wu Qin Xi and Wu Xing, and a
perfect exercise is made following changes of Yin and Yang,
rise and fall of Qi, generation and extinction of Yin and Yang,
while practitioner is performing the movements of different
animals unaware that he or she is making one Universal sign
of life that is represented as Taiji or swastika or Kolovrat or
S‑shaped vortex of life that transcends time, cultures or even
whole human civilization.
But, let us explore more the Yin and Yang orientation.
These discoveries ultimately led me to the conclusion that
Whatever the choice of the Taiji orientation, east was Hua Tuo made the order of animals in Wu Qin Xi taking in
considered as beginning. consideration all available theories of his time that include
If we follow the order of animals in Wu Qin Xi given by Hua (but not limited to):
Tuo again, and cross reference with both orientations, we will • Yin Yang theory
receive something like this [Table 5]: • Wu Xing and Zang Fu theory

Chinese Medicine and Culture ¦ Volume 1 ¦ Issue 3 ¦ October-December 2018 133

[Downloaded free from http://www.cmaconweb.org on Tuesday, January 8, 2019, IP: 10.232.74.26]

Balaneskovic: Hua Tuo’s Wu Qin Xi (Five Animal Frolics) movements and logic behind it

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.

References
Figure 19: Picture of movements of Wu Qin Xi animals in cross 1. Translated by Legge J. The Writings of Chuang Tzu. Oxford: The
representation of Wu Xing Clarendon Press; 1815‑1897, 1891.
2. Wai FK. On Hua Tuo’s position in the history of Chinese medicine. Am
J Chin Med 2004;32:313‑20.
• Yellow river diagram and 3. Chu NS. Legendary Hwa Tuo’s surgery under general anesthesia in the
• Knowledge of Celestial body movement. second century China. Acta Neurol Taiwan 2004;13:211‑6.
4. Chinese Health Qigong Association. Chinese Health Qigong: Wu
Of course, this theory is my way of explanation the logic behind Qin Xi. Beijing, China: Chinese Health Qigong Association; Foreign
the order of Hua Tuo’s Wu Qin Xi movements. language press 2007.
5. Kohn L. Chinese Healing Exercises. Honolulu: University of Hawai‘i
One fact still remains – this practice is a gem of Chinese history Press; 2008.
and culture of mind and body cultivation, and it will bring the 6. Guenon R, Fohr SD. Symbols of Sacred Science. Sophia Perennis;
joy and health to everyone that practices the system. 2004. p. 64‑7, 113‑7.

134 Chinese Medicine and Culture ¦ Volume 1 ¦ Issue 3 ¦ October-December 2018