Folklore and the 5 Deadly Venoms?

[BruiserBrody]

Was the film the 5 Deadly Venoms based on any tales in Chinese folklore?

[TenTigers]

it was inspired by the five venoms that poison the soul.

[doug maverick]

no it wasnt based on any folklore.

[sanjuro_ronin]

Just out of curiosity, what is it with Chinese and the number 5?

5 Deadly venoms
5 Shaolin Masters
5 fingers of death ( ok, that one is a little obvious ;) )
5 animal styles
5 nookie cookies for...oh wait, that's another thread...

:D

[MasterKiller]

My theory is that 5 in china is a lot like 40 in arabia. "40" just means a lot; For example: Ali Baba and the 40 theives. Rain for 40 days and 40 nights.

In that context, I think 5 just means "a few." Like the Five elders myth...It just means a few people escaped.

I have no proof to back up this claim other than my rugged good looks and Davidian physique.

[sanjuro_ronin]

My theory is that 5 in china is a lot like 40 in arabia. "40" just means a lot; For example: Ali Baba and the 40 theives. Rain for 40 days and 40 nights.

In that context, I think 5 just means "a few." Like the Five elders myth...It just means a few people escaped.

I have no proof to back up this claim other than my rugged good looks and Davidian physique.

hey, that's go enough for me, Romo.
:D

[SimonM]

Early chinese thought divided a lot of things systemically into 5 varieties.

5 flavors (they were right about that!)
5 tones
5 senses
5 digits on each hand
5 protrusions from the torso on almost every vertebrate (snakes excepted).

So 5 is seen as being a complete number... at least that's my take.

[Zenshiite]

Don't forget the 5 elements.