Wang Xiangzhai’s take on the five elements seemingly as he was taught by his teacher Guo Yunshen and so the correct take on it.
After some practice one will come to the understanding that WXZ speak of, one will find the core and main teaching that all the 12 as well as the 5 share.
“Nor did it have the theory of mutual promotion and restraint of the five elements.
The Five Elements are only five terms representing five forms of force, not methods or routines of shadow boxing. I still remember instructions taught by my late masters about the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire and earth. ‘Metal’ refers to strength in the bones and muscles which are hard as diamond and can sever gold or iron. “Wood” refers to the force whose range of action is compared to the supporting shape of a tree. “Water” refers to the force which is like a surging ocean and a dragon swimming in the sea, penetrating everywhere. “Fire” refers to the force which, like gunpowder, explodes and burns with a mere touch of the hand. “Earth” refers to the solid, heavy composite force which seems to have been produced by the joint action of heaven and earth. This is what is called five elements combining into one, not the stuff of one form of boxing overcoming another form of boxing as some people are preaching these days. If one observes first and then thinks twice in actual fighting, it is almost certain he will be defeated long before he takes action at all.”
