In Southern Chinese folklore, the Five Elders (Chinese: 五祖 pinyin: wǔ zǔ; Yale Cantonese: ng5 jou2) are survivors of the destruction of the Shaolin Monastery by the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912).
The Triad Five Elders
The Tiandihui/Hongmen claims that it was founded by the Five Elders and names them as:
- Choi Dakjung (蔡德忠)
- Fong Daaihung (方大洪)
- Mah Chiuhing (馬超興)
- Wu Dakdai (胡德帝)
- Lei Sikhoi (李式開).
The Kung Fu Five Elders
Within martial arts circles, the Five Elders are
- Jee Sin Sim See (至善禪師)
- Ng Mui (五梅大師)
- Bak Mei (白眉)
- Fong Sai-Yuk (方世玉)
- Miu Hin (苗顯)
The Five Family Elders
Sometimes the founders of the five major family styles of Southern Chinese martial arts, all students of Jee Sin, are also called the Five Elders.
- Hung Hei-Gun - (Chinese: 洪熙官 Pinyin: Hóng Xīguān Yale Cantonese: Hung4 Hei1 Gun1) - founder of Hung Gar.
- Lau Sam-Ngan - (Chinese: 劉三眼 Pinyin: Liú Sānyǎn Yale Cantonese: Lau4 Saam1 Ngaan5) - literally "Three Eyed Lau;" founder of Lau_Gar.
- Choy Gau-Yee - (Chinese: 蔡九儀 Pinyin: Cài Jiǔyí Yale Cantonese: Choi3 Gau2 Yi4) - founder of Choy Gar.
- Lee Yau-San - (Chinese: 李友山 Pinyin: Lǐ Yǒushān Yale Cantonese: Lei5 Yau5 Saan1) - founder of Lee Gar; teacher of Choy Lee Fut founder Chan Heung.
- Mok Ching-Giu - (Chinese: 莫清矯 Pinyin: Mò Qīngjiǎo Yale Cantonese: Mok6 Ching1 Giu2) - founder of Mok Gar.