Styles of Chinese martial arts
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There are hundreds of different styles of Chinese martial arts, each with their own sets of techniques and ideas. The various movements in kung fu, most of which are imitations of the fighting styles of animals, are initiated from one to five basic foot positions: normal upright posture and the four stances called dragon, frog, horse riding, and snake.
The concept of martial arts styles appeared from around the Ming dynasty. Before the Ming period, martial skills were commonly differentiated mainly by their lineage.[1] There are common themes among these styles which allow them to be grouped according to generalized "families" (
The rich variety of styles has led to the creation of numerous classification schemes.[2][3]
Geographical location such as regional affiliation is one well-known example.
A particular Chinese martial arts style can be referred to as either a northern fist (
Geographical classifications
[edit]The traditional dividing line between the northern and southern Chinese martial arts is the Yangtze River.[4] A well-known adage concerning Chinese martial arts is the term "Southern fists and Northern kicks" (「
Northern styles
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Northern styles (
The group of Northern martial arts includes many illustrious styles such as Northern Shaolin Kung Fu, Baguazhang, Bajiquan, Chaquan, Chuojiao, Eagle Claw, Northern Praying Mantis and tai chi. Changquan is often identified as the representative Northern style and forms a separate division in modern Wushu curriculum.
Northern styles exhibit a distinctively different flavor from the martial arts practiced in the South. In general, the training characteristics of northern styles put more focus on legwork, kicking and acrobatics. The influence of Northern styles can be found in traditional Korean martial arts and their emphasis on high-level kicks.[8]
Southern styles
[edit]Southern Chinese martial arts (
The term Southern styles typically applies to the five family styles of Southern China: Choy Gar, Hung Ga, Lau Gar (刘家), Ng Ying kung fu (
Other geographical classifications
[edit]Chinese martial arts can also be identified by the regional landmarks, province, city or even village. Generally, this identification indicates the region of origin but could also describe the place where the style has established a reputation. Well-known landmarks used to characterize Chinese martial arts include the famous mountains of China. The Eight Great Schools of Martial Arts, a grouping of martial arts schools used in many wuxia novels, is based on this type of geographical classifications. This group of schools includes: Mount Hua, Mount Emei, Wudang Mountains, Kongtong Mountains, Kunlun Mountains, Cang Mountain, Mount Qingcheng and Mount Song Shaolin. Historically, there were 18 provinces in China. Each province has its own styles of martial arts. For example, in Xingyiquan, there are currently three main branches: Shanxi, Hebei and Henan. Each branch has unique characteristics but they can all be traced to the original art developed by Li Luoneng and the Dai family. A particular style can also be identified by the city where the art was practised. For example, in the North, the cities of Beijing or Tianjin have created different martial arts branches for many styles. Similarly, in the South, the cities of Shanghai, Quandong and Foshan all represented centers of martial arts development. Older martial art styles can be described by their village affiliation. For example, Zhaobao tai chi is a branch of Chen-style tai chi originating from Zhaobao village.
External and internal classifications
[edit]The distinction between external and internal (
External styles
[edit]External style (Chinese:
Internal styles
[edit]Internal styles (Chinese:
Components of internal training includes stance training (zhan zhuang), stretching and strengthening of muscles, as well as on empty hand and weapon forms which can contain quite demanding coordination from posture to posture.[17] Many internal styles have basic two-person training, such as pushing hands. A prominent characteristic of internal styles is that the forms are generally performed at a slow pace. This is thought to improve coordination and balance by increasing the work load, and to require the student to pay minute attention to their whole body and its weight as they perform a technique. In some styles, for example in the Chen style of tai chi, there are forms that include sudden outbursts of explosive movements. At an advanced level, and in actual fighting, internal styles are performed quickly, but the goal is to learn to involve the entire body in every motion, to stay relaxed, with deep, controlled breathing, and to coordinate the motions of the body and the breathing accurately according to the dictates of the forms while maintaining perfect balance. Internal styles have been associated in legend and in much popular fiction with the Taoist monasteries of Wudangshan in central China.
Religious classifications
[edit]Chinese martial arts being an important component of Chinese culture are also influence by the various religions in China. Many styles were founded by groups that were influenced by one of the three great philosophical influences of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism.
Buddhist styles
[edit]Buddhist styles include Chinese martial arts that originated or practised within Chinese Buddhist temples and later spread to laity community. These styles often include Buddhist philosophy, meditation, imagery and principles. The most famous of these are the Shaolin (and related) styles, e.g. Shaolinquan, Choy Li Fut, Fut Gar, Luohanquan, Hung Gar, Wing Chun, Dragon style and White Crane. and recently a contemporary style called wuxingheqidao. One common theme for this group is the association with Chan Buddhism.
Shaolin kung fu
[edit]The term "Shaolin" is used to refer to those styles that trace their origins to Shaolin, be it the Shaolin Monastery in Henan Province, another temple associated with Shaolin such as the Southern Shaolin Temple in Fujian Province, or even wandering Shaolin monks. More restrictive definitions include only those styles that were conceived on temple grounds or even just the original Henan temple proper. The broadest definition includes just about all external Chinese martial arts, though this has much to do with the attractiveness of the Shaolin "brand name".
Taoist styles
[edit]Taoist styles are popularly associated with Taoism. They include Chinese martial arts that were created or trained mostly within Taoist Temples or by Taoist ascetics, which often later spread out to laymen. These styles include those trained in the Wudang Mountains, and often include Taoist philosophy, principles and imagery. Some of these arts include Tai chi, Wudangquan, Baguazhang, Bajiquan, Liuhebafa and Bak Mei kung fu.
Islamic styles
[edit]Islamic styles are those that were practiced traditionally solely or mainly by the Muslim Hui minority in China. These styles often include Islamic principles or imagery. Example of these styles include: Chaquan, Tan Tui, some branches of Xingyiquan and (
Historical classifications
[edit]Imitative-styles
[edit]Imitative-styles are styles that were developed based on the characteristics of a particular creature such as a bird or an insect. Entire systems of fighting were developed based on the observations of their movement, fighting abilities and spirit. Examples of the most well-known styles are white crane, tiger, monkey (Houquan), dog and mantis. In some systems, a variety of animals are used to represent the style of the system; for instance, there are twelve animals in most Xing yi practice.
Legendary and historical styles
[edit]Many Chinese martial arts styles are based or named after legends or historical figures. Examples of such styles based on legends and myths are the Eight Immortals and Dragon styles. Example of styles attributed to historical figures include Xingyiquan and its relationship to Yue Fei and tai chi which trace its origins to a Taoist Zhang Sanfeng.
Family styles
[edit]Family affiliations are also an important means of identifying a Chinese martial arts system. Heavily influenced by the Confucian tradition, many styles are named in honor of the founder of the system. The five family (Choi, Hung, Lau, Lei, Mok) of Southern Chinese martial arts are representative of family styles. Family styles can also denote branches of a system. For example, the families of Chen, Yang, Wu and Sun represent different training approaches to the art of Tai Chi Chuan.
By main style of application/attack
[edit]Another popular method to describe a particular style of Chinese martial arts is to describe the style's emphasis in terms of the four major applications. The four major applications are: kicking (踢), hitting (
Other styles
[edit]The variety of classification schemes, like the subject of Chinese martial arts, are endless. Some styles are named after well-known Chinese philosophies. For example, Baguazhang is based on the Taoist philosophy of the eight trigrams (Bagua). Some styles are named after the key insight suggested by the training. For example, liuhebafa is a system based on the ideas of six combinations and eight methods.
See also
[edit]- Boxing styles and technique
- Comparison of karate styles
- Comparison of kobudō styles
- Hybrid martial arts
- Styles of wrestling
References
[edit]- ^ Lorge, Peter (2012). Chinese Martial Arts From Antiquity to the Twenty-First Century. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521878814.
- ^ a b Brian Kennedy and Elizabeth Guo (2005), Chinese Martial Arts Training Manuals: A Historical Survey, CA: North Atlantic Books, ISBN 1-55643-557-6
- ^ Fuo, Hsi Fen (
郭 希 汾) (1920). 《中國 體育 史 》 [Chinese China Sports History] (in Chinese). Shanghai: Commercial Press. ISBN 7-80569-179-7 - ^ Donn F. Draeger, Robert W. Smith (1981), Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts, Oxford University Press (USA), ISBN 978-0870114366
- ^ Jwing Ming Yang and Jeffery A. Bolt (1981), Shaolin Long Fist Kung Fu, Unique Publications, ISBN 0-86568-020-5
- ^ Brian Klingborg (1999), The Secrets of Northern Shaolin Kung-Fu, Tuttle Pub, ISBN 0-8048-3164-5
- ^ Jeffery A. Bolt and Jwing-Ming Yang (2000), Northern Shaolin Sword: Form, Techniques & Applications, YMAA Publication Center, ISBN 1-886969-85-X
- ^ Stanly E. Henning (2000), "Chinese Influences on Korean Martial Arts" in Martial arts of the world: an encyclopedia, edited by Thomas A. Green, Published by ABC-CLIO, 2001, page 299, ISBN 1-886969-85-X
- ^ Patrick McCarthy (1999), Ancient Okinawan Martial Arts, Tuttle Publishing, ISBN 0-8048-3147-5
- ^ Bucksam Kong and Eugene H. Ho (1973), Hung Gar Kung Fu, Black Belt Communications, ISBN 0-89750-038-5
- ^ Leung Ting (1978). Wing Tsun Kuen. Hong Kong: Leung's Publications. ISBN 962-7284-01-7, 1978, p. 30
- ^ Shahar, Meir (December 2001). "Ming-Period Evidence of Shaolin Martial Practice". Harvard Journal of Asiatic Studies. 61 (2). Harvard-Yenching Institute: 359–413. doi:10.2307/3558572. JSTOR 3558572.
- ^ Henning, Stanley (Autumn–Winter 1994). "Ignorance, Legend and Taijiquan" (PDF). Journal of the Chenstyle Taijiquan Research Association of Hawaii. 2 (3): 1–7. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 28, 2019.
- ^ B. K. Frantzis (1998), The Power of Internal Martial Arts: Combat Secrets of Ba Gua, Tai Chi, and Hsing-I, North Atlantic Books, CA, ISBN 978-1-55643-253-8
- ^ Marnix Wells, Chang Naizhou, Xu Zhen (2005), Scholar Boxer: Cháng Nâizhou's Theory of Internal Martial Arts and the Evolution of Taijiquan, North Atlantic Books (CA), ISBN 1556434820
- ^ Sun Lu Tang (192?), Master Sun Lu Tang's Martial Arts Concepts, in Chinese republished in 2004, Hong Kong, ISBN 978-7-5009-1997-1
- ^ Lu Shengli, Zhang Yun (2006), Combat Techniques of Taiji, Xingyi, and Bagua: Principles and Practices of Internal Martial Arts, Blue Snake Books/Frog, Ltd., ISBN 1-58394-145-2