The Five Animal Frolics (Wu Qin Xi): the various Frolics exercises were organized into an effective combined set and promoted by the famous Chinese physician Hua Tuo, (Hua To, Yuan Hua) who lived from 110-207 CE.
Hua Tuo was born around 110 CE, in Qiao of Peiguo (today called Haoxian or Bo) county, in what is now Anhui Province, one of the four major herb distribution centers of modern China. He lived for about 100 years, having died around 207 CE. He was an older contemporary of China's famous herbalist Zhang Zhongjing, who died around 220 CE. In the Chronicles of the Later Han Dynasty, it is said that: "Knowing well the way to keep one in good health, Hua Tuo still appeared in the prime of his life when he was almost 100, and so was regarded as immortal."
Hua Tuo also named Yuan Hua of Hao county in Anwei province, was the first famous Chinese surgeon. He is the first in the world to developed the use of anesthesia, and furthered the limited Chinese knowledge of anatomy. When using acupuncture and herbs, he preferred simple methods, using a small number of acupuncture points and formulas comprised of only a few herbs. He practiced Chi-kung and created the "Frolics of the Five Animals."
He traveled from town to town treating patients and learning from other doctor's practices. He is famous for his skill as a surgeon and his use of anesthesia. The anesthesia was given as a powder called mafeisan that was dissolved in a fermented drink before performing surgery. It has been suggested the powder may have been hemp since its uses were unknown at that time. Besides performing surgeries, Hua Tuo also recommended the use of physical exercises for his patients. He devised (compiled?) movements that were similar to the movements of five different animals. These were the tiger, deer, bear, monkey and bird. One of Hua Tuo's disciples called Fan An was a great acupuncturist. He devised methods to extend its use to the back and thorax."
Unfortunately, few, if any, of Hua Tuo's written works have survived from the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 CE). There are no surviving documents from Hua Tuo that tell us how to do the Animal Frolics exercises, or even their names. One manuscript, The Classic of the Central Viscera, questionably attributed to Hua Tau, is considered one of the 10 most important pre-modern works on Chinese medicine. Hua Tuo is often called the "Father of Chinese Medicine." His name and image are still used on medical products like acupuncture needles to this day.
"There are many stories, passed down from generation to generation, as to how Hua Tuo cured difficult diseases. He became known as the "Magical Doctor". His principle of resisting the onset of disease by working and doing exercises was also a major contribution to traditional Chinese medicine."
Hua Tuo's life ended at age 97 in an unfortunate manner. He had been called and ordered to serve as a personal physician to Zao Cao, a ruthless general ruling the state of Wei. Zao Cao had severe headaches which Dr. Hua Tuo could not cure. General Zao Cao, for some unknown reason, became angry with Dr. Hua Tuo, and had him imprisoned and executed. (This is a common theme in qigong history, often leading to advanced skills in healing and cultivation to be hidden)
One of Hua Tuo's outstanding disciples, Wu Pu, lived for over 100 years, and practiced the Frolics daily. Wu Pu wrote a book called The Five Animal Classic, from which only a few fragments have survived. Wu Pu reported that Hua Tuo once said,
"Man's body must have exercise, but it should never be done to the point of exhaustion. By moving about briskly, digestion is improved, the blood vessels are opened, and illnesses are prevented. It is like a used doorstep which never rots. As far as Tao Yin (bending and stretching exercises) is concerned, we have the bear's neck, the crane's twist, and swaying the waist and moving the joints to promote long life. Now I have created the art called the Frolics of the Five Animals: the Tiger, the Deer, the Bear, the Monkey, and the Crane. It eliminates sickness, benefits the legs, and is also a form of Tao Yin. If you feel out of sorts, just practice one of my Frolics. A gentle sweat will exude, the complexion will become rosy; the body will feel light and you will want to eat."
Master Sun Simiao (581-682 CE) is often associated with the text titled "Yangxing yanming lu" (On Nourishing Inner Nature and Extending Life) which provides a description of a squatting version of the Five Animal Frolics.
A manuscript titled Yun Ji Qi Qian showing the Animal Frolics forms comes from the Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE).
A 10th century heirloom brocade from Zhejiang Province depicts the Animal Frolics.
The "Jade Emperor's Mind-Seal Classic," added to the Taoist Canon around 1200 CE, is often quoted by Daoists:
"The sages awaken through self-cultivation;
Deep, profound, their practices require great effort.
Breathing nourishes youthfulness.
The Shen depends on life form;
The Ching depends on sufficient Qi.
If these are neither depleted nor injured
The result will be youthfulness and longevity.
When the distant winds blend together,
In one hundred days of spiritual work
And morning recitation to the Shang Ti,
Then in one year you will soar as an immortal."
The Animal Frolics are pictured and described in a Taoist encyclopedia, the Yi Men Guang Du, compiled by Taoist Zhou Lujing, from the late 1600's.
The Chifeng Sui (Marrow of the Red Phoenix), a collection of longevity methods by Zhou Lujing, is dated to 1578 and includes a description of an Animal Frolics set similar to what is practiced today. Also, from the 1620's are illustrated versions of the Five Animal Frolics in the "Illustrated Explanation of the Five Animals' Dance Practice," and in the "Elixir Book on Long Life and good Fortune."
A successful doctor of Chinese Medicine and a qigong master, Hu Yao-zhen (1879-1973) , wrote a book titled "Wu Qin Xi" (Five Animal Frolics) in the 1940's that has been very influential. - Michael P. Garofalo
