Why Is Martial Arts Considered a Folk Culture Trait

Chinese martial arts are arguably some of China's about popular and successful cultural exports. Despite their widespread and enduring popularity, nigh people'south understanding of the Chinese martial arts is limited. Bring together u.s.a. as we explore the history and civilisation behind these ancient forms of cocky-defence force.

Table of Contents

• What are the Chinese martial arts?
  • Origins and history
• Classifying Chinese martial arts styles
  • Internal versus external
  • Northern versus Southern
  • Other nomenclature schemes
  • Non to be confused with Japanese martial arts
• Five influential Chinese martial arts styles
  • 1. Shaolin Kung Fu
  • 2. Wing Chun
  • iii. Bajiquan
  • 4. Tai Chi
  • five. Baguazhang
• A window into Chinese civilization
• Chinese martial fine art vocabulary

What are the Chinese martial arts?

The Chinese martial arts are a collection of hundreds of unlike fighting styles that adult over centuries of Chinese history. Many of the Chinese martial arts incorporate philosophical concepts that are intimately connected with Chinese religion and philosophy, especially Taoism .

In Chinese, the terms 功夫 (gōngfū) and 武术 (wǔshù) are used to refer to the martial arts. The give-and-take 功夫 (gōngfū) is a general term that can exist used to refer to any type of skill. It is the source of the English term "kung fu."

武术 (wǔshù), rendered in English as wushu, is a more than descriptive term that can literally be translated every bit "armed forces arts" or "martial arts."

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Origins and history

The martial arts have a long history in China. As the name wushu suggests, the martial arts are idea to have developed as methods for mitt-to-hand combat used by aboriginal Chinese soldiers.

According to legend, the martial arts were introduced in China by the Yellow Emperor during the Xia dynasty (2070 - 1600 BCE). The very first mention of Chinese martial arts occurs in the Spring and Autumn Annals , a court relate that dates all the style back to the 5th century BCE.

The commencement mention of Chinese martial arts can be found in a chronicle from the 5th century BCE.

Classifying Chinese martial arts styles

Today, there are hundreds of dissimilar styles of Chinese martial arts. Various classification schemes accept been proposed to aid categorize them.

Internal versus external

Ane common way of classifying Chinese martial arts is past separating them into external styles (外家拳 wàijiāquán) and internal styles (内家拳 nèijiāquán).

External styles focus on developing agility and physical strength, while internal styles focus on manipulating qi (气 qì) and cultivating the listen and spirit. Many of the philosophical ideas espoused by Taoism are applied past practitioners of internal martial arts styles.

The nearly pop internal style of Chinese martial art is Tai Chi, also called Taiji (太极拳 Tàijíquán) while the most famous style associated with the external style is Shaolin Kung Fu ( 少林功夫 Shàolín Gōngfū).

The internal versus external nomenclature is a popular one that has been used since 1669 CE. It remains somewhat controversial, however, with some experts arguing that at that place is really no deviation between the two due to the fact that every style includes some mix of "internal" and "external" elements.

The many unlike types of Chinese martial arts tin can exist categorized into internal and external styles.

Northern versus Southern

Some other common style to classify Chinese martial arts styles is past geographical region. There are many notable differences betwixt northern and southern China. Not just is this true when it comes to food, the arts, architecture, and linguistic communication, but it is also true of martial arts.

Martial arts from northern Red china are referred to equally 北派 ( běipài ) and include well-known schools such equally Baguazhang and Bajiquan. Northern styles are known for incorporating high kicks and acrobatic elements. Southern martial arts styles are called 南派 (nánpài) and place more emphasis on arm and full-trunk movements.

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Other classification schemes

In that location are several other ways to classify the Chinese martial arts. Some of these nomenclature categories overlap, so that a single fashion may belong to more than one category. Other popular classification styles that are sometimes used are based on religion, history and family.

Non to exist confused with Japanese martial arts

To an untrained heart, all martial arts may look the same, regardless of state of origin. In reality, countless differences—large and small—exist.

Jiu-jitsu, one of Nippon's most well known martial art, originated on the battlefields during the Nara period (c. 710–794) and utilized skills and tactics from a diversity of other Japanese disciplines.

Its applications were designed around close combat fighting and emphasized parrying and counterattacking long weapons like swords or spears using a dagger or other small weapons.

Unlike Chinese kung fu, which emphasized strikes and kicks, jiu-jitsu uses counter attacks that atomic number 82 to throws and articulation locks.

Japanese jiu-jitsu, in its ain correct, is oftentimes confused with Brazilian jiu-jitsu. We defenseless up with Tony Debelak, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu Blackness Belt and owner of Gracie Jiu Jitsu Aurora, to ask about the differences.

"Traditional Japanese jiu-jitsu," Tony explains, "made its way to Brazil, specifically Rio de Janeiro, in 1925. Carlos Gracie and his brothers learned from Esai Maeda, a Japanese jiu-jitsu fighter. Helio Gracie, the youngest of Carlos' brothers, was the smallest and weakest of the brothers plus he had a medical condition that prevented him from grooming right away. So, Helio spent virtually of his time watching the lessons taught to his older brothers."

Tony continues, "the story goes that in 1928 Carlos was belatedly to teach a class so his blood brother Helio stepped upward. But Helio had never practiced traditional jiu-jitsu. He rapidly realized he didn't have the strength to successfully execute the Japanese techniques then he found ways to make the techniques work using leverage, timing, and natural body movements instead of force, speed, and coordination. That transformation became the foundation of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, which spread beyond Brazil afterward taking on the moniker of Brazilian jiu-jitsu."

Five influential Chinese martial arts styles

Although there are a multitude of different styles of Chinese martial arts, some are more popular than others. Check out the listing beneath to learn about five of the most common and influential styles.

1. Shaolin Kung Fu

Shaolin Kung Fu ( 少林功夫 Shàolín Gōngfū) is one of the most popular styles of Chinese martial arts. Considered an "external style," Shaolin Kung Fu was developed past monks at the Shaolin Temple in Henan Province.

The Shaolin Kung Fu style is distinguished by quick, forceful movements and makes use of weapons including spears and, most famously, staffs.

The Shaolin style has a history of over 1,500 years and is believed to take been started past Buddhist monks from central Asia. One of these monks, Bodhidharma , is also credited with having founded the Chan school of Buddhism, the precursor to modern Japanese Zen Buddhism.

Over the years, Shaolin Kung Fu gained semi-mythic status in China every bit a issue of the exploits of Shaolin Temple's "soldier monks." The Shaolin monks supported the founding members of the Tang imperial family in their successful armed struggle for the throne. During the Ming dynasty, the authorities also enlisted Shaolin monks to fight off multinational gangs of pirates that plagued China'south coastal areas with frequent raids.

Shaolin monks didn't ever enjoy government support, however. During the Qing dynasty, their monastery was fifty-fifty defendant of anti-Qing activities and destroyed, but to be rebuilt subsequently.

Today, in that location are over 1,000 different sub-styles of Shaolin Kung Fu. Various schools of martial arts in other countries such as Japan also merits their origins can be traced dorsum to the Shaolin way.

Shaolin Temple, in Henan Province, is the birthplace of the earth-renowned martial art known equally Shaolin Kung Fu.

two. Wing Chun

Wing Chun (咏春 Yǒngchūn) is a southern Chinese kung fu style descended from Shaolin Kung Fu. Information technology has the distinction of having been founded by 2 women, Ng Mui and Yim Wing-chun.

The Wing Chun style is known for placing emphasis on technique rather than strength. This style likewise calls for practitioners to stay relaxed while fighting, allowing them to achieve a kind of "softness" or flexibility. This relaxed flexibility gives Wing Chun fighters a special kind of strength that allows them to bend, not break, just like bamboo .

Legend has information technology that Wing Chun founder Ng Mui was living at Shaolin Temple when it was attacked and destroyed past Qing dynasty forces. Surviving the attack, she escaped to the border area between Yunnan and Sichuan. At that place, she met a young woman named Yim Wing-chun who was the daughter of a tofu merchant.

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Upon learning that Yim Fly-chun was soon to exist forced into marriage with a local warlord, Ng Mui taught her a modified version of Shaolin Kung Fu to assist Yim defend herself against his unwanted advances.

The mode was later picked up by members of a Cantonese opera troupe chosen the Red Boat Opera Group, who helped lead a popular uprising confronting the Qing in the dynasty'due south waning years.

Ip Man, featured in the eponymous hitting moving-picture show, was a notable mod practitioner of Fly Chun style martial arts. He also taught the Wing Chun manner to his educatee, Bruce Lee, who would become on to deed in the dear Hong Kong kung fu movies that helped make Chinese martial arts famous effectually the world.

Wing Chun was the starting time martial arts style that Bruce Lee learned.

iii. Bajiquan

Bajiquan (八极拳 bājíquán) is another popular Chinese martial art. Information technology emerged in the 18th century and was originally called Baziquan, or "rake fist," because of its trademark use of swift downward strikes using partially opened fists.

Its current full name is 开门八极拳 (kāimén bājíquán), which tin be roughly translated every bit "open-door fist of the 8 extremes." The "open-door" or "open-gate" part of this name comes from the practice of forcing one'southward opponents artillery apart in order to strike their trunk.

Bajiquan features rapid, explosive movements including elbow and fist strikes and is considered ideal for short-range combat.

Every bit an iconic Chinese martial art, Bajiquan has influenced the popular civilization of both People's republic of china and other countries. Information technology is ofttimes featured in Japanese video games, besides as in manga and anime. Bajiquan even makes an advent in The Matrix and Mortal Kombat: Deadly Brotherhood .

Agent Smith, played by actor Hugo Weaving, makes use of Bajiquan techniques in The Matrix.

iv. Tai Chi

Tai Chi (太极拳 tàijíquán) is the most well-known of the "internal" Chinese martial arts styles. While it is most commonly practiced today as a meditative, gentle form of exercise, information technology too has its roots in the martial arts and was originally developed as a course of self-defense.

Tai Chi is sometimes referred to equally "shadow battle." Although most people remember of Tai Chi as being made upward of slow movements, in that location are several styles which include faster paced elements.

Similar many other forms of Chinese martial arts, Tai Chi is intimately connected to traditional Chinese conventionalities systems including Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism.

Tai Chi'south cardinal philosophy is related to the Taoist concept of yin (阴 yīn) and yang (阳 yáng). In traditional Taoist metaphysics, yin is said to be a dark, soft, female force while yang is a hard, vivid, male force. Together, these two forces make upwardly the universe, and information technology is important to seek a balance between them.

Tai Chi is rooted in ancient Taoist philosophy.

In Tai Chi, practitioners work to keep the yin and yang forces constantly in flux so that two forces of equal strength are never used against each other. The use of a hard force against another difficult force can but result in deadlock. Thus, in Tai Chi, hardness should be met with softness, and vice versa.

The exact origins of Tai Chi are unclear, with some historians arguing that it originated with a twelfth century Taoist monk, while others contending that its origins are much more contempo.

Today, Tai Chi is known both within China and around the world for its many scientifically proven wellness benefits. The renowned Mayo clinic even recommends Tai Chi every bit a great way to gently reduce stress and anxiety.

Modern students of Tai Chi, like these CLI students, tin can do good from the many scientifically proven health benefits of this ancient martial art.

5. Baguazhang

Similar Tai Chi, Baguazhang (八卦掌 bāguàzhǎng) is considered an "internal fashion" martial fine art. Its philosophy draws heavily on Taoist concepts similar yin and yang and it even takes its proper name from the Taoist trigrams, or bagua .

Dong Haichuan is credited with founding this style in the first half of the 19th century by synthesizing martial arts techniques that he learned from the Taoist and Buddhist practitioners that he met during his travels in rural China.

The most distinctive characteristic of the Baguazhang fashion is its utilise of circle walking. Practitioners move in a circular pattern while performing the various moves associated with this fashion, which are quite diverse and include a mixture of strikes, throws, kicks and grappling moves.

Baguazhang is also known for its utilize of a diverse assortment of weapons including distinctive large broadswords. Interestingly, this manner is said to be particularly effective when fighting against multiple opponents.

A window into Chinese culture

Due to their connections with Chinese philosophy, religion and history, the Chinese martial arts provide a fascinating window into traditional Chinese civilisation.

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Studying the Chinese martial arts is a nifty style to gain a deeper understanding of Chinese civilization.

Chinese martial art vocabulary

Hànzì	Pīnyīn	Definition
功夫	gōngfū	kung fu; martial arts; skill
武术	wǔshù	wushu; martial arts
外家拳	wàijiāquán	external style (of Chinese martial arts)
内家拳	nèijiāquán	internal fashion (of Chinese martial arts)
气	qì	qi; vital energy
北派	běipài	northern school/style (of Chinese martial arts)
南派	nánpài	southern school/mode (of Chinese martial arts)
少林功夫	Shàolín Gōngfū	Shaolin Kung Fu
咏春	Yǒngchūn	Fly Chun
八极拳	Bājíquán	Bajiquan
太极拳	Tàijíquán	Tai Chi
阴	yīn	yin; a night, female person force
阳	yáng	yang; a bright, male force
八卦掌	Bāguàzhǎng	Baguazhang

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Source: https://studycli.org/chinese-culture/chinese-martial-arts/

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