In traditional Chinese philosophy, natural phenomena can be classified into the Wu Xing (Chinese: 五行; pinyin: wǔxíng), or the Five Elements: metal (Chinese: 金; pinyin: jīn), wood (Chinese: 木; pinyin: mù), water (Chinese: 水; pinyin: shuǐ), fire (Chinese: 火; pinyin: huǒ), and earth (Chinese: 土; pinyin: tǔ). These elements were used for describing interactions and relationships between phenomena. Five Phases is the more appropriate way of translating wǔxíng — literally, "five goings". Traditional Taijiquan schools relate them to footwork and refer to them as five "steps". The original foundation is based on the concept of the Five Cardinal Points.
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