The Origins of Shaolin Kung Fu
There are three theories that address
that origin of Shaolin Kung Fu. The first is Ta-Mo or
Bodhidharma. This is the theory that the Bodhidharma developed a
fighting art through his various travels. Bodhidharma was a
buddhist monk patriarch known to have traveled throughout China,
and Inda and meditating in a cave for nine years. The second
theory are that two monks named Sung Chou and Hwei Kuang who may
have preceded Ta-Mo by many years. The third theory is that
there was no definitive single origin, but that Shaolin Kung Fu
evolved in time from varying influences and monks throughout the
years. The latter seems the most plausible.
The Chinese Buddhist Monastery was located in the Sung Shan Mountains of Hunan Province. The Temple is named after the surrounding "small forest" of trees. It was built by Emporer Hsiao Wen in the 5th century. He built the temple to pay homage to the Indian Monk, Bodhiruchi. The Emperor Tai-Chung later recognized the organized power of the Monks and begged for their help in his battle against Wang-She Chung, (A rival upstart who wanted to overthrow the emperor and begin a new dynasty). The Shaolin soldiers defeated Wang and in return, was land and resources. The monks were involved in other battles throughout history, including conflicts with the Japanese and the Red Rubans. The army of monks grew to over 5000 at their peak.
Chinese martial arts and Shaolin Kung Fu can be characterized in the following ways: Northern or Souther, Hard or Soft, Combat or Sport, Linear or Circular. Many can debate the pros and cons of each style. One can argue that the soft art is superior to the hard arts of Kung Fu.
Below are a listing of some of the most popular Chinese Shaolin Kung Fu styles:
Ch'a Ch'uan - An ancient martial art, considered northern style. It was developed in the 14th century by Chinese Muslims, characterized by long high leaps and lots of movement.
Ch'o Chiao - A Northern Chinese style originating in Gao-Yang County. It is characterized by high kicking techniques.
Chow-Gar - A style of Kung Fu from Southern China, founded by Chow Lung and derived it from Chow Gar and Pa Kua.
Choy Li Fut - A Southern style originating from the Shaolin Temple characterized by many circular hand techniques.
Drunken Style - Popularized by many movies and film. A system of fighting where actions appear to be sloppy and unstable and then fast and precise. It is patterned after the typical motions of a drunkard, masking the true fighting technique.
Eagle Claw - A style of Kung Fu with acrobatic movements emulating an eagle. Grandmaster Liu Fa Mang is most notable for its rise in popularity.
Fong Ngan - Known as the Phoenix Eye. It encorporates many hand techniques and no formal stances. It originates in the Hopu Province.
Drunken Style - Popularized by many movies and film. A system of fighting where actions appear to be sloppy and unstable and then fast and precise. It is patterned after the typical motions of a drunkard, masking the true fighting technique.
Eagle Claw - A style of Kung Fu with acrobatic movements emulating an eagle. Grandmaster Liu Fa Mang is most notable for its rise in popularity.
Fong Ngan - Known as the Phoenix Eye. It encorporates many hand techniques and no formal stances. It originates in the Hopu Province.
Hop Gar - It was the official style of the Manchu Emporer, also known as Lama Kung Fu. Designed by a Tibetan Priest named Dai-Dot, it originally only used 8 fists, 8 steps, 8 fingers, and eight kicks. Passed from priest to priest it has developed into four subdivisions.
Hsing-I - literally translated means "mind form". It is a system found in Northern China, originating in the San-Shih Province. It contains short, basic movements.
Hung-Chia - A southern Chinese Style that uses many hand techniques and low stances. The system uses the movements of animals for attacks. It is said to be originated by either Fong-Tsai (a monk who escaped a bloody masacre at the hands of the Chinese army), Ng-Mui, or Mui-Hin.
Ke-Chia - A Southern form of Chinese Kung Fu that uses three styles. The name literally means "guest family" because the originators were not from the place it was developed in.
Kung-Ki-Ch'uan - Northern style originating in Chang County of the Hopei Province. It is a very rare style consisting of low horse stances and is considered extremely difficult to grasp.
Li Gar - A Southern style, characterized by slapping and poking motions.
Lo-Han-Ch'uan - Literally meaning "the Buddha style", it has both Northern and Southern variations. It cosely resembles Chang Chuan.
Modern Wushu - After 1955, the Peoples Republic of China introduced martial arts application in competition. (see Wushu)
Monkey Style - One of the most colorful of all martial arts styles, it was developed by Kou Tze in the early 19th century while he was in prison. During this time he observed the habits of monkeys and eventually made 5 different facets of monkey style.
Pa-Kua - One of the 3 main internal branches of Chinese Boxing. Its origins are unknown, only that an unknown taoist taught a man named Tung Hai-Chuan in Kiangsu Province for a number of years. Tung used this knowledge to defeat Kuo Yun-Shen, from the Hsing-I style. The two earned eachothers respect and to this day, the two styles are intertwined because of it. It is made of circling postures based on animal movements.
Praying Mantis - A kung Fu system developed in the 17th century in Southern China. It uses punches, clawing, and grabbing attacks. There are a number of smaller sub-styles within this style.
Shuai Chiao - A Chinese form of wrestling that dates back to 700 b.c.
Tai Chi Chuan - A Northern style, concerned with harnessing chi energy. There are a number of different stories about its true origin, too many to list. Its movements are slow and fluid.
White Crane - Movements are based on the crane and ape, combining long and short hand techniques.
Wing Chun - A Southern style originating from the Shaolin Temple. They comprised a style that would teach a most efficient fighting method in the least amount of time to defeat the Manchu soldiers. Before the system was completed, the soldiers attacked and a nun named Ng Mui, a temple elder, escaped with the fighting knowledge. She finalized the movements which rely heavily on a centerline attack using fists and trapping your opponenets attacks simultaneously.
Wushu - Meaning "national art" or "martial art", it was adopted as the official name for martial arts in China during the 1950s, although the term "wushu" had been used since 1928. A new renewed interest led to the formation of a national committee to review all Chinese martial art styles and combined them into a new, socially acceptable form. The leadership's political structure gave rise to a new form of martial art. Wu shu (modern wushu) is now taught at all physical culture institutes and many primary schools of education.
The forms of wushu are as follows:
Ba Ji - strikes, holds, blocks.
Di Tang - tumbling attacks and defense.
Nan Chuan - Southern style, using many upper body motions.
Fan Zi - short routines
Tung Bi - Northern style consisting of 5 basic motions.
Xing Yi - uses many animal characteristics.
Chang Chuan - Northern style characterized by acrobatic motions.
The Chinese Buddhist Monastery was located in the Sung Shan Mountains of Hunan Province. The Temple is named after the surrounding "small forest" of trees. It was built by Emporer Hsiao Wen in the 5th century. He built the temple to pay homage to the Indian Monk, Bodhiruchi. The Emperor Tai-Chung later recognized the organized power of the Monks and begged for their help in his battle against Wang-She Chung, (A rival upstart who wanted to overthrow the emperor and begin a new dynasty). The Shaolin soldiers defeated Wang and in return, was land and resources. The monks were involved in other battles throughout history, including conflicts with the Japanese and the Red Rubans. The army of monks grew to over 5000 at their peak.
Chinese martial arts and Shaolin Kung Fu can be characterized in the following ways: Northern or Souther, Hard or Soft, Combat or Sport, Linear or Circular. Many can debate the pros and cons of each style. One can argue that the soft art is superior to the hard arts of Kung Fu.
Below are a listing of some of the most popular Chinese Shaolin Kung Fu styles:
Ch'a Ch'uan - An ancient martial art, considered northern style. It was developed in the 14th century by Chinese Muslims, characterized by long high leaps and lots of movement.
Ch'o Chiao - A Northern Chinese style originating in Gao-Yang County. It is characterized by high kicking techniques.
Chow-Gar - A style of Kung Fu from Southern China, founded by Chow Lung and derived it from Chow Gar and Pa Kua.
Choy Li Fut - A Southern style originating from the Shaolin Temple characterized by many circular hand techniques.
Drunken Style - Popularized by many movies and film. A system of fighting where actions appear to be sloppy and unstable and then fast and precise. It is patterned after the typical motions of a drunkard, masking the true fighting technique.
Eagle Claw - A style of Kung Fu with acrobatic movements emulating an eagle. Grandmaster Liu Fa Mang is most notable for its rise in popularity.
Fong Ngan - Known as the Phoenix Eye. It encorporates many hand techniques and no formal stances. It originates in the Hopu Province.
Drunken Style - Popularized by many movies and film. A system of fighting where actions appear to be sloppy and unstable and then fast and precise. It is patterned after the typical motions of a drunkard, masking the true fighting technique.
Eagle Claw - A style of Kung Fu with acrobatic movements emulating an eagle. Grandmaster Liu Fa Mang is most notable for its rise in popularity.
Fong Ngan - Known as the Phoenix Eye. It encorporates many hand techniques and no formal stances. It originates in the Hopu Province.
Hop Gar - It was the official style of the Manchu Emporer, also known as Lama Kung Fu. Designed by a Tibetan Priest named Dai-Dot, it originally only used 8 fists, 8 steps, 8 fingers, and eight kicks. Passed from priest to priest it has developed into four subdivisions.
Hsing-I - literally translated means "mind form". It is a system found in Northern China, originating in the San-Shih Province. It contains short, basic movements.
Hung-Chia - A southern Chinese Style that uses many hand techniques and low stances. The system uses the movements of animals for attacks. It is said to be originated by either Fong-Tsai (a monk who escaped a bloody masacre at the hands of the Chinese army), Ng-Mui, or Mui-Hin.
Ke-Chia - A Southern form of Chinese Kung Fu that uses three styles. The name literally means "guest family" because the originators were not from the place it was developed in.
Kung-Ki-Ch'uan - Northern style originating in Chang County of the Hopei Province. It is a very rare style consisting of low horse stances and is considered extremely difficult to grasp.
Li Gar - A Southern style, characterized by slapping and poking motions.
Lo-Han-Ch'uan - Literally meaning "the Buddha style", it has both Northern and Southern variations. It cosely resembles Chang Chuan.
Modern Wushu - After 1955, the Peoples Republic of China introduced martial arts application in competition. (see Wushu)
Monkey Style - One of the most colorful of all martial arts styles, it was developed by Kou Tze in the early 19th century while he was in prison. During this time he observed the habits of monkeys and eventually made 5 different facets of monkey style.
Pa-Kua - One of the 3 main internal branches of Chinese Boxing. Its origins are unknown, only that an unknown taoist taught a man named Tung Hai-Chuan in Kiangsu Province for a number of years. Tung used this knowledge to defeat Kuo Yun-Shen, from the Hsing-I style. The two earned eachothers respect and to this day, the two styles are intertwined because of it. It is made of circling postures based on animal movements.
Praying Mantis - A kung Fu system developed in the 17th century in Southern China. It uses punches, clawing, and grabbing attacks. There are a number of smaller sub-styles within this style.
Shuai Chiao - A Chinese form of wrestling that dates back to 700 b.c.
Tai Chi Chuan - A Northern style, concerned with harnessing chi energy. There are a number of different stories about its true origin, too many to list. Its movements are slow and fluid.
White Crane - Movements are based on the crane and ape, combining long and short hand techniques.
Wing Chun - A Southern style originating from the Shaolin Temple. They comprised a style that would teach a most efficient fighting method in the least amount of time to defeat the Manchu soldiers. Before the system was completed, the soldiers attacked and a nun named Ng Mui, a temple elder, escaped with the fighting knowledge. She finalized the movements which rely heavily on a centerline attack using fists and trapping your opponenets attacks simultaneously.
Wushu - Meaning "national art" or "martial art", it was adopted as the official name for martial arts in China during the 1950s, although the term "wushu" had been used since 1928. A new renewed interest led to the formation of a national committee to review all Chinese martial art styles and combined them into a new, socially acceptable form. The leadership's political structure gave rise to a new form of martial art. Wu shu (modern wushu) is now taught at all physical culture institutes and many primary schools of education.
The forms of wushu are as follows:
Ba Ji - strikes, holds, blocks.
Di Tang - tumbling attacks and defense.
Nan Chuan - Southern style, using many upper body motions.
Fan Zi - short routines
Tung Bi - Northern style consisting of 5 basic motions.
Xing Yi - uses many animal characteristics.
Chang Chuan - Northern style characterized by acrobatic motions.
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