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As man became more skillful in hunting and warfare, he also gradually developed dance for entertainment and relaxation. Early records suggest that dance was often the imitation of various animal movements, hence the Monkey Dance, the Bear Dance, the Bird Dance, and so on.
The Book of History refers to them as 'the dances of hundred animals'. In addition, rudimentary sports appeared, such as Dance with Shield and Battle-Axe and Butting with Horns, both military exercises. The Dance with Shield and Axe, which was a martial dance depicting battle and training troops, demonstrate the early relationship between dance and fighting skill. Butting with Horns was competitive wrestling practiced by the soldiers. This sport was said to have been a training method before battle by the armies of the legendary Chiyou tribe of eastern China. The soldiers wore horns on their heads as a symbol of courage, and then butted each other during the contest.
It was tradition that every feast should have a dance performance, which by the Han time would often take the form of a sword dance. Unarmed combat contest were also popular during the Han Dynasty. The rapid development in cavalry warfare of this period led to further improvements in skill using bladed weapons.
According to the Book of Zhuang Zi, unarmed combat was a highly developed skill by the end of this period, with many methods of attack, defense, counter-attack and feints. Fencing was also fairly common at that time. It was especially popular among the people of the states of Wu, Yue and Zhao. Competitions were frequent, but because contestants wore inadequate protection, injuries were common during the bouts. In one fencing competition in the state of Zhao, more than 60 people were killed or wounded over a period of 7 days. In the state of Wu, scars on the body of face were common sight among the people. Nevertheless, the love of fencing went unabated among women as well as men. By the Qin Dynasty (221 - 207BC), competitions had developed stricter rules with referees, arenas and protective clothing. During the Han Dynasty (206BC - AD220), Kung Fu was developed further, the element of sport and dance now becoming more apparent. Many martial dances appeared, such as the Rapier Dance, the Broadsword Dance, the Twin-Halberd Dance and the Battle-Axe Dance. While these dances contained elements of attack and defense, other postures and techniques evolved which were designed clearly for callisthenic purposes. An historic record in 108 B.C. tells how people came from as far as 300 li (150km) around the capital to see a contest.
Kung Fu could be defined as any of the various Chinese martial arts. Chinese Kung Fu was studied, organized and systematized by the Shaolin monks. Shaolin Kung Fu is known for their many animal styles such as Tiger, Crane, Dragon, Monkey, Praying Mantis and Snake. The word Kung Fu was originally used by the West. It means "skill" or "ability". It literally does not have anything to do with martial arts such as the word Tae Kwon Do, which means The Way of the Hand and Feet. In China today, Wushu is the preferred word to describe Chinese Martial Arts. The word Kung Fu was first used by a western Jesuit Missionary named Pere Amoit after witnessing exercises and training regimen in China. He called it "Cong Fou" in his personal journals. The term "Kuo-Shu" was popular in China until about 1930. This term has since been popularized by the Taiwanese Government to describe Chinese Martial Arts.
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Shaolin Wushu
Shaolin Wushu (Shaolin Martial Art) is one of the most influential genres of Chinese martial art, and it's named after the Shaolin Temple located in Dengfeng County, Henan Province. The monks in the Shaolin Temple began to study martial art during the Southern and Northern Dynasties and this tradition prevailed during the Sui and the Tang dynasties (581-907).
Shaolin Wushu is famous both at home and abroad as a highly effective method of self-defense and health-building. Combining both external and internal, and "hard" and "soft" exercises, Shaolin Wushu involves various methods of fighting techniques, consisting of barehanded boxing and weaponry combat. The Shaolin boxing has compactly designed routines. Its movements are quick, powerful and flexible; both practical for defense and attack.
The most outstanding characteristic of Shaolin boxing is that the practitioner works on one straight line. It means that his movements of advancing, retreating, turning around, sideways, or jumping are restrained on one line. His arms are kept slightly bent so that he can stretch out to attack or withdraw freely for self defense. Another characteristic of Shaolin Wushu is to maintain the body in perfect balance, as stable as a mountain. The practitioners should keep a tranquil mind but strike with great force and speed. He should be good at "borrowing" force from the opponent. That is, he should not meet the opponent's strikes head-on, but take advantage of the striker's force and go along with it to bring him to ward off a force of a thousand weights. The practitioner should know how to make feigned strikes and when striking, hit the vital parts of the opponent. The movements should be as dextrous as a cat, the shaking as a tiger, the moving as a dragon, the advancing as lightning and the yelling as thunder.
Shaolin Wushu is a very convenient sport, for the practice does not need a large space and is not affected by weather or the kind of weapons used.
There are many routines. External exercises include Minor Hong Boxing, Greater Hong Boxing, Old Hong Boxing, Chaoyang Boxing, Chang Boxing, Plum Blossom Boxing, Cannon Boxing, Luohan Buddha Boxing, Tongbei Boxing, Seven-star Boxing, Dragon-out-of-the-sea Boxing and Shooting-star Boxing; for internal exercises there are Xingyi Boxing and Juji Boxing. Shaolin boxing can be practiced singly or in pairs. The dual routines include: Banshou Liuhe Boxing, Yaoshou Liuhe Boxing and Kick and Strike Liuhe Boxing.
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Tai Ji Quan
Tai Ji Quan is a major division of Chinese martial art. Tai Ji Quan means "supreme ultimate fist". Tai means "Supreme", Ji means "Ultimate", and Quan means "Fist".
There have been different sayings about the origin of Tai Ji Quan. The traditional legend goes that the wise man Zhang Sanfeng of the Song Dynasty (960-1279) created Tai Ji Quan after he had witnessed a fight between a sparrow and a snake; while most people agreed that the modern Tai Ji Quan originated from Chen style Tai Ji Quan, which first appeared during the 19th century in the Daoguang Reign of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
Tai Ji Quan has its philosophical roots in Taoism and is considered as an internal martial art, utilizing the internal energy, or Qi, and following the simple principle of "subduing the vigorous by the soft". Taoism is the oldest philosophy of China which is represented by the famous symbol of the Yin and Yang which expresses the continuous flow of Qi in a circular motion that generates two opposite forces, plus and minus, which interact and balance with each others to bring existence to the physical and metaphysical world.
The most famous forms of Tai Ji Quan practiced today are the Chen, Yang, Wu, Wu and Sun styles. All the five styles can be traced back to Chen style Tai Ji Quan. According to historical records, Tai Ji Quan was founded by Chen Wangting (1597-1664), who lived in Chen Village, in today's Henan Province in China. Based on the Chen style and created by Yang Luchan, a Hebei native of the Qing Dynasty, the Yang style is now the most popular style worldwide. The Woo Style is based on the Chen and Yang styles and created by Woo Yuxing.
The Sun style is derived from Chen and Woo styles and created by Sun Lutang. The Sun style is a combination of the more famous internal Chinese martial art forms of Ba Gua, Xing Yi and Tai Ji. The Wu style is based on Chen and Yang styles, and it was created by Wu Jianquan.
Nowadays, when most people talk about Tai Ji Quan, they are usually referring to the Yang style, which has already spread throughout the world and is practiced by millions of people.
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李小龙(lǐxiǎolóng) Bruce Lee is the most famous Kong Fu Star! In order to commemorate 李小龙(lǐxiǎolóng) Bruce Lee, a series entitled 李小龙传奇(lǐxiǎolóng chuánqí) The Legend of Bruce Lee was recently aired on TV in China. It quickly became a popular series and Bruce Lee's spirit and his attitude when practicing kungfu have inspired many fans. Quotes from The Legend of Bruce Lee: “我们不能总想着胜与败，因为那样会使我们的身体僵硬。搏斗的时候，讲究的是万念俱空，这才是战胜敌人的秘诀。” Wǒmen bùnéng zǒng xiǎng zhe shèng yǔ bài, yīnwèi nàyàng huì shǐ wǒmen de shēntǐ jiāngyìng. Bódòu de shíhou, jiǎngjiū de shì wànniànjùkōng, zhè cáishì zhànshèng dírén de mìjué. We can not always think about victory and defeat, because doing so will make our body 僵硬(jiāngyìng) rigid. 搏斗(bódòu) When fighting, nothing should enter your mind---this is the secret to defeat the 敌人(dírén) enemy. “你的眼睛一定要长在对方的心里，你一定要感受到对手的心在想什么。” Nǐde yǎnjing yídìng yào zhǎng zài duìfāng de xīnlǐ, nǐ yídìng yào gǎnshòu dào duìshǒu de xīn zài xiǎng shénme. Your eyes must be in your opponent's heart, and you have to feel what's in the opponent's mind. 生词(shēngcí) Vocabulary: 传奇(chuánqí): n legend, romance 僵硬(jiāngyìng): a rigid, and stiff 搏斗(bódòu): v fight, wrestle 敌人(dírén) : n enemy, foe 秘诀(mìjué): n secret 对手(duìshǒu): n opponent, competitor, rival More Newsletters
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中国功夫(Zhōngguó Gōngfu) Chinese Kungfu
Listen to this song:
卧似一张弓，站似一棵松。
Wò sì yì zhāng gōng, zhàn sì yì kē sōng.
Crouching is like a bow, and standing is like a pine.
不动不摇坐如钟，走路一阵风。
Bú dòng bù yáo zuò rú zhōng, zǒulù yí zhèn fēng.
Sitting still is like a bell, and walking is like a blast of wind.
南拳和北腿，少林武当功。
Nánquán hé běituǐ, shǎolín wǔdāng gōng.
Nanquan and Beitui are kungfu of Shaolin and Wudang.
太极八卦连环掌，中华有神功。
Tàijí bāguà liánhuánzhǎng, zhōnghuá yǒu shéngōng.
Tai chi and eight-diagram linked palms are variations of professional kungfu in China.
卧似一张弓，站似一棵松。
Wò sì yì zhāng gōng, zhàn sì yì kē sōng.
Crouching is like a bow, and standing is like a pine.
不动不摇坐如钟，走路一阵风。
Bú dòng bù yáo zuò rú zhōng, zǒulù yí zhèn fēng.
Sitting still is like a bell, and walking is like a blast of wind.
南拳和北腿，少林武当功。
Nánquán hé běituǐ, shǎolín wǔdāng gōng.
Nanquan and Beitui are kungfu of Shaolin and Wudang.
太极八卦连环掌，中华有神功。
Tàijí bāguà liánhuánzhǎng, zhōnghuá yǒu shéngōng.
Tai chi and eight-diagram linked palms are variations of professional kungfu in China.
棍扫一大片，枪挑一条线。
Gùn sǎo yí dà piàn, qiāng tiǎo yì tiáo xiàn.
Sticks can sweep a vast tract of land, but guns can stir up a strip of line.
身轻好似云中燕，豪气冲云天。
Shēn qīng hǎo sì yún zhōng yàn, háoqì chōng yúntiān.
Bodies are as light as the swallows under the cloud, and heroism is rushing onto the sky.
外练筋骨皮，内练一口气。
Wài liàn jīn gǔ pí, nèi liàn yì kǒu qì.
Practice muscle bone and skin outside and practice breath inside.
刚柔并济不低头，我们心中有天地。
Gāngróubìngjì bù dī tóu, wǒmen xīnzhōng yǒu tiāndì.
We are the combinations of softness and hardness and unbowed, while we have the belief in our hearts.
卧似一张弓，站似一棵松。
Wò sì yì zhāng gōng, zhàn sì yì kē sōng.
Crouching is like a bow, and standing is like a pine.
不动不摇坐如钟，走路一阵风。
Bú dòng bù yáo zuò rú zhōng, zǒulù yí zhèn fēng.
Sitting still is like a bell, and walking is like a blast of wind.
南拳和北腿，少林武当功。
Nánquán hé běituǐ, shǎolín wǔdāng gōng.
Nanquan and Beitui are kungfu of Shaolin and Wudang.
太极八卦连环掌，中华有神功。
Tàijí bāguà liánhuánzhǎng, zhōnghuá yǒu shéngōng.
Tai chi and eight-diagram linked palms are variations of professional kungfu in China.
清风剑在手，双刀就看走。
Qīngfēngjiàn zài shǒu, shuāngdāo jiù kàn zǒu.
The sword named Qingfeng is in the hand and the two falchions are swinging.
行家功夫一出手，他就知道有没有。
Hángjia gōngfu yì chū shǒu, tā jiù zhīdào yǒuméiyǒu.
When the kungfu master appears, he will know whether or not (someone has good kungfu).
手是两扇门，脚下是一条根。
Shǒu shì liǎng shàn mén, jiǎo xià shì yì tiáo gēn.
Hands are like two doors and there is the same root under the feet.
四方水土养育了我们中华武术魂。
Sì fāng shuǐtǔ yǎngyùle wǒmen zhōnghuá wǔshù hún.
The spirit of Chinese kungfu was cultivated by the whole land of China.
东方一条龙，儿女似英雄。
Dōngfāng yì tiáo lóng, érnǚ sì yīngxióng.
China is like a dragon and Chinese people are like heroes.
天高地远八面风，中华有神功。
Tiān gāo dì yuǎn bā miàn fēng, zhōnghuá yǒu shéngōng.
There is professional kungfu in vast territories of China.
东方一条龙，儿女似英雄。
Dōngfāng yì tiáo lóng, érnǚ sì yīngxióng.
China is like a dragon and Chinese people are like heroes.
天高地远八面风，中华有神功。
Tiān gāo dì yuǎn bā miàn fēng, zhōnghuá yǒu shéngōng.
There is professional kungfu in vast territories of China.
中华有神功。
Zhōnghuá yǒu shéngōng.
There is professional kungfu in China.
生词(shēngcí) Vocabulary:
南拳(nánquán): n a kind of Chinese Kungfu in southern part of China (e.g., Southern Shaolin Boxing)
北腿(běituǐ): n a kind of Chinese Kungfu in northern part of China
少林(shǎolín): n abbreviation for Shaolin Temple
武当(wǔdāng): n abbreviation for mountain Wudang
太极(tàijí): n tai chi
豪气(háoqì): n heroism
清风剑(qīngfēngjiàn): n a kind of sword
行家(hángjia): n expert
魂(hún): n spirit or soul
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Video Lesson: 春节 (chūnjié) Chinese New Year/Spring Festival
[size=6]As one of the biggest and most important festivals in China, the Chinese New Year is also called “春节 (chūnjié) Spring Festival.” This video lesson will teach you words, expressions and grammars related to the Spring Festival. Happy Chinese New Year!
Key Learning Points:
春节 (chūnjié) n Spring Festival
“春 (chūn)” means spring and “节 (jié)” means festival.
Example:
Zhù nǐ chūnjié kuàilè!
祝 你 春 节 快 乐！
Wish you happy Spring Festival!
正在 (zhèngzài) In the process of (doing something or happening)
“正 (zhèng)” literally means main and “在 (zài)” literally means at or exist.
Example:
Nián sān shí wǎnshàng, zhè yìjiārén zhèngzài kàn chūnjié wǎnhuì.
年 三 十 晚 上 ， 这 一家人 正 在 看 春 节 晚 会。
On the eve of the Spring Festival, this whole family was watching the Spring
Festival Gala.
放 (fàng) v set off (firecrackers,etc.)
Example:
Guònián fàngpào yào zhùyì ānquán.
过 年 放 炮 要 注意 安 全。
We should pay attention to safety issues when setting off firecrackers during the Chinese New Year’s celebration.
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Thank you for informative message. We got to know lot of information about the chinese culture. We appreciate your posts .
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