Chinese martial arts
The semi-mythical Xia dynasty predates recorded history by over four thousand years. According to legend, the Yellow Emperor ascended to power in 2698 BC and introduced the earliest fighting systems to China. This ruler authored extensive treatises on medicine, astrology, and martial arts before becoming China's leader. One of his primary adversaries was Chi You, credited as the progenitor of jiao di, a precursor to modern Chinese wrestling. Detailed knowledge about the state and development of these arts became available from the Nanjing decade between 1928 and 1937. The Central Guoshu Institute established by the Kuomintang regime made an effort to compile an encyclopedic survey of martial arts schools during this period. The earliest references to Chinese martial arts appear in the Spring and Autumn Annals from the fifth century BC. A hand-to-hand combat theory integrating notions of hard and soft techniques is mentioned within those ancient texts. A combat wrestling system called juélì or jiāolì appears in the Classic of Rites. This system included techniques such as strikes, throws, joint manipulation, and pressure point attacks. Wrestling also features prominently in the Shí Jì, Records of the Grand Historian written by Sima Qian around 100 BC.
Passages in the Zhuangzi pertain to the psychology and practice of martial arts. Zhuangzi, its eponymous author, lived in the fourth century BC according to historical belief. The Tao Te Ching often credited to Laozi contains principles applicable to martial arts. Archery and charioteering were part of the six arts of the Zhou dynasty which lasted from 1122 to 256 BC. The Art of War written during the sixth century BC by Sun Tzu deals directly with military warfare but contains ideas used in Chinese martial arts. Taoist practitioners have been practicing daoyin physical exercises similar to qigong since as early as 500 BC. In 39, 92 AD Six Chapters of Hand Fighting were included in the Han Shu history of the Former Han dynasty written by Ban Gu. The noted physician Hua Tuo composed the Five Animals Play tiger deer monkey bear and bird around 208 AD. Taoist philosophy and their approach to health and exercise influenced the Chinese martial arts to a certain extent. Direct reference to Taoist concepts can be found in styles such as the Eight Immortals which uses fighting techniques attributed to the characteristics of each immortal.
In 495 AD the first Shaolin temple was constructed on Song Mountain in Henan province. The initial Buddhist monk who propagated Buddhism there was an Indian monk named Buddhabhadra known as Batuo in Chinese. Historical records suggest that Batuo's first Chinese disciples Huiguang and Sengchou possessed exceptional martial skills. Sengchou's proficiency with the tin staff is documented in the Chinese Buddhist canon. Another Indian monk named Bodhidharma arrived at Shaolin in 527 AD. His Chinese disciple Huike was likewise a highly skilled martial artist. There are indications that these first three Chinese Shaolin monks may have had a military background prior to embracing monastic life. The oldest documented evidence of Shaolin's involvement in combat dates back to a stele from 728 AD. This record describes two significant events: the defense of the Shaolin Monastery against bandits around 610 AD and their subsequent contribution to the defeat of Wang Shichong at the Battle of Hulao in 621 AD. Between the 16th and 17th centuries at least forty sources exist to provide evidence both that monks practiced martial arts and that practice became integral to monastic life.
In 1958 the government established the All-China Wushu Association as an umbrella organization to regulate martial arts training. The Chinese State Commission for Physical Culture and Sports took the lead in creating standardized forms for most major arts. During this period a national Wushu system including standard forms teaching curriculum and instructor grading was established. Wushu was introduced at both the high school and university level. In 1986 the Chinese National Research Institute of Wushu was established as the central authority for research and administration. Changing government policies led to the closing of the State Sports Commission in 1998. This closure is viewed as an attempt to partially de-politicize organized sports. The term kuoshu meaning national art rather than gongfu was introduced by the Kuomintang in 1928. The term reverted to wushu under the People's Republic of China during the early 1950s. Many well known martial artists chose to escape from PRC rule and migrate to Taiwan Hong Kong and other parts of the world after 1949. Those masters started to teach within overseas Chinese communities but eventually expanded their teachings to include people from other ethnic groups.
China boasts a rich history of martial arts traditions encompassing numerous styles totaling in the hundreds. These styles are often categorized into families schools or sects. Some styles draw inspiration from animal movements replicating the agility and power of creatures such as tigers snakes or monkeys. Others derive inspiration from Chinese philosophies myths and legends incorporating principles and symbolism into techniques. Certain styles place significant emphasis on harnessing and manipulating qi while others prioritize competitive aspects focusing on sparring and tournaments. Northern styles tend to emphasize fast and powerful kicks high jumps and generally fluid and rapid movement. Southern styles focus more on strong arm and hand techniques stable immovable stances and fast footwork. Examples of northern styles include changquan and xingyiquan. Examples of southern styles include Bak Mei Wuzuquan Choy Li Fut and Wing Chun. Most experienced martial artists make no clear distinction between internal and external styles or subscribe to the idea of northern systems being predominantly kick-based. Philosophers assert that the absence of either hard or soft elements would render skills unbalanced or deficient since yin and yang alone are each only half of a whole.
Chinese martial arts training consists of basics forms applications and weapons with different styles placing varying emphasis on each component. Basics usually made up of rudimentary techniques conditioning exercises including stances are vital for progression. A common saying concerning basic training states that without strong flexible muscles management of qi breath and proper body mechanics it is impossible to progress. Stances represent structural postures employed in training such as the Horse stance and bow stance. Meditation can be used to develop focus mental clarity and act as a basis for qigong training. Through meditation practitioners learn to regulate their breath relax bodies and enter a state of deep focus. The concept of qi is encountered in a number of Chinese martial arts variously defined as inner energy life force or proper skeletal alignment. Weapons training generally carried out after proficiency with basic forms considers the weapon an extension of the body. Forms contain both literal representative and exercise-oriented forms of applicable techniques students could extract test and train through sparring sessions. Traditional sparring sets called dui da or dui lian were essential parts of Chinese martial arts for centuries.
The films of Bruce Lee were instrumental in the initial burst of Chinese martial arts popularity in the West during the 1970s. Bruce Lee was the iconic international superstar who popularized Chinese martial arts with his own variation called Jeet Kune Do. Martial artists and actors such as Jet Li and Jackie Chan continued the appeal of movies of this genre. Jackie Chan successfully brought in a sense of humor in his fighting style in his movies. In the 1970s black audiences maintained kung fu movie popularity well after general public interest waned. Black youth in New York City went from every borough to Times Square every night to watch the latest movies. Among these individuals were those coming from the Bronx where hip hop began taking form. One pioneer responsible for foundational aspects of hip hop was DJ Kool Herc who created new music by looping rhythmic breakdowns. From the new music came b-boying or breakdancing a street dance style consisting of improvised acrobatic moves. The pioneers credit kung fu as one of its influences with moves like crouching low leg sweep and up rocking standing combat moves derived from choreographed fights.
Common questions
When did the Yellow Emperor introduce fighting systems to China?
The Yellow Emperor ascended to power in 2698 BC and introduced the earliest fighting systems to China. This ruler authored extensive treatises on medicine, astrology, and martial arts before becoming China's leader.
What is the origin of jiao di according to Chinese legend?
Chi You is credited as the progenitor of jiao di, a precursor to modern Chinese wrestling. One of his primary adversaries was the Yellow Emperor who established early fighting systems.
Who wrote the Spring and Autumn Annals that contain early references to Chinese martial arts?
The earliest references to Chinese martial arts appear in the Spring and Autumn Annals from the fifth century BC. These ancient texts mention a hand-to-hand combat theory integrating notions of hard and soft techniques.
When was the first Shaolin temple constructed on Song Mountain?
In 495 AD the first Shaolin temple was constructed on Song Mountain in Henan province. The initial Buddhist monk who propagated Buddhism there was an Indian monk named Buddhabadra known as Batuo in Chinese.
Which government body established the All-China Wushu Association in 1958?
In 1958 the government established the All-China Wushu Association as an umbrella organization to regulate martial arts training. The Chinese State Commission for Physical Culture and Sports took the lead in creating standardized forms for most major arts.
How did Bruce Lee influence the popularity of Chinese martial arts in the West during the 1970s?
The films of Bruce Lee were instrumental in the initial burst of Chinese martial arts popularity in the West during the 1970s. Bruce Lee was the iconic international superstar who popularized Chinese martial arts with his own variation called Jeet Kune Do.