幸会幸会, It is a great honour to have you join us on the journey to discover and explore the 5000 years old Chinese Culture, History, Literature and Martial Arts.
Our club 星洲国术 (Pinyin : Xing Zhou Guo Shu) is a Chinese Culture, Martial Arts and Kickboxing Appreciation Group in Singapore.
Our club 星洲国术 (Pinyin : Xing Zhou Guo Shu) is a Chinese Culture, Martial Arts and Kickboxing Appreciation Group in Singapore.
Southern Kung Fu
The traditional dividing line between Northern and Southern China is China’s Yangtze River 长江 and territories to the south of Yangtze River are collectively known as Southern China. Chinese Martial Art Styles developed in Southern China are categorized as Southern Kung Fu or Nan Quan 南拳.
If you search online using Chinese Characters you will notice there are few hundred Southern Kung Fu Styles existing in Southern China today. From Hong Quan 洪拳, Yong Chun Quan 咏春拳, Fo Shan Bai Mei Quan 佛山白眉拳 and Cai Li Fo 蔡李佛 in Guandong 广东. 太祖拳 Tai Zu Quan, Wu Zu Quan 五祖拳 and Bai He Quan 白鹤拳 in Fujian 福建, to Wu Jia Quan 巫家拳 and Xue Jia Quan 薛家拳 in Hunan 湖南 province etc.
If you search online using Chinese Characters you will notice there are few hundred Southern Kung Fu Styles existing in Southern China today. From Hong Quan 洪拳, Yong Chun Quan 咏春拳, Fo Shan Bai Mei Quan 佛山白眉拳 and Cai Li Fo 蔡李佛 in Guandong 广东. 太祖拳 Tai Zu Quan, Wu Zu Quan 五祖拳 and Bai He Quan 白鹤拳 in Fujian 福建, to Wu Jia Quan 巫家拳 and Xue Jia Quan 薛家拳 in Hunan 湖南 province etc.
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History of Southern Kung Fu
According to Chinese history books the original developer of Chinese culture, philosophies and Chinese martial arts were the ancient Han People 汉人 living in Northern China. Due to civil wars and invasion from nomadic tribes like in the era of “Three Kingdoms Period 三国时代” (220AD - 280AD), “Uprising of the Five Barbarians 五胡乱华” (304AD - 316AD) and “Jin-Song Wars 金宋战争” (1125AD - 1234AD), millions of Han People from Northern China crossed the Yangtze River to settle in Southern China bringing along their philosophical knowledge, technical know-how and martial arts.
Over time martial arts brought by the Han People from Northern China were further developed to suit the terrain and living environment in Southern China, creating countless of weapon and empty-hand forms, which are the Southern Kung Fu or Nan Quan 南拳 you see today. |
Characteristics of Southern Kung Fu
Many Southern Kung Fu Styles are known for using stable low stances, overwhelming punching techniques, animal forms like “Tiger Claws” for joints manipulation and “Crane Fingers Poking” to strike vital points. Hence, there is the ancient Chinese saying of “南拳北腿 Southern Fists Northern Legs”, which means when you fight with a Southerner you need to beware of his powerful hands, when you fight with a Northerner you need to watch out for his fast legs.
There are many misconception about Southern Kung Fu being publicized by writers online. Many thought that Southern Kung Fu doesn’t have kicks and it is a pure external martial art. The fact is all Southern Kung Fu Styles have kicks and train in internal Qi Gong 气功 too. Styles like Hong Quan 洪拳 (Hung Gar) and Yong Chun Quan 咏春拳 (Wing Chun Fist) even have special kicking techniques to knock the opponent at point-blank range. San Zhan 三战, the internal Qi Gong 气功 training of Wu Zu Quan 五祖拳 (Five Ancestors Fist) and Bai He Quan 白鹤拳 (White Crane Fist) was so renowned that it was adapted by ancient Japan’s martial artists to create today’s Japanese Sanchin.
Southern Kung Fu Warring Past
Many Southern Kung Fu Styles were known to see "Action" in ancient China. 太祖拳 Tai Zu Quan (Grand Ancestor Fist) practitioners in Fujian 福建 province used Sabres, Staff Poles and Farming Rakes to fight off hundreds of Woko 倭寇 pirates during the Ming Dynasty (1368AD - 1644AD). Hong Quan 洪拳 (Hung Gar) and Yong Chun Quan 咏春拳 (Wing Chun Fist) were used by members of the Anti-Qing Heaven and Earth Society 天地会 to revolt against the Manchus Occupation during Qing Dynasty 清朝 (1644AD - 1912AD). Southern China soldiers well-verse in Southern Kung Fu’s Dan Dao 单刀 and Da Dao 大刀 saber techniques were known to conduct charges in forested areas and night raids to hack off limbs of Japanese soldiers during World War Two (1937AD - 1945AD).
It is said that even when there is no more invaders to warn off, people from all over the world will continue to train Southern Kung Fu Styles. Training for health maintenance, to preserve Chinese culture and getting ready to put Southern Kung Fu Styles into the next battle in this unforeseeable world.
It is said that even when there is no more invaders to warn off, people from all over the world will continue to train Southern Kung Fu Styles. Training for health maintenance, to preserve Chinese culture and getting ready to put Southern Kung Fu Styles into the next battle in this unforeseeable world.
The capital of Southern Kung Fu
China’s Fujian 福建 and Guangdong 广东 Provinces are considered to be The Capital of Southern Kung Fu. As martial artists from coastal Fujian and Guangdong were the first to bring Chinese martial arts to the rest of the world since the Ming Dynasty 明朝 (1368AD - 1644AD), and statistically Martial Art Styles from this two provinces have the highest number of practitioners among all Southern Kung Fu Styles.
Martial art knowledge from Fujian 福建 and Guangdong 广东 Provinces were also known to influence many Martial Art Styles in Asian countries like Japan, Vietnam, Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia. In the 14th century, Fujian martial artists brought their martial art knowledge to modern day Okinawa Japan and much of their martial art techniques, theories and philosophies were incorporated into Okinawan martial arts. Over time Okinawan martial arts were further developed into today’s Japanese Karate.
Since the 16th century, communities in Malay Archipelago traditionally called martial arts from Fujian and Guangdong as Kuntao 拳头 (Kuntaw), which means “Fist” in the Fujian Hokkien dialect. Today in Philippines, Brunei and Indonesia you can see many hybrid styles of Kuntao combining local martial arts with martial arts from this two provinces.
Martial art knowledge from Fujian 福建 and Guangdong 广东 Provinces were also known to influence many Martial Art Styles in Asian countries like Japan, Vietnam, Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia. In the 14th century, Fujian martial artists brought their martial art knowledge to modern day Okinawa Japan and much of their martial art techniques, theories and philosophies were incorporated into Okinawan martial arts. Over time Okinawan martial arts were further developed into today’s Japanese Karate.
Since the 16th century, communities in Malay Archipelago traditionally called martial arts from Fujian and Guangdong as Kuntao 拳头 (Kuntaw), which means “Fist” in the Fujian Hokkien dialect. Today in Philippines, Brunei and Indonesia you can see many hybrid styles of Kuntao combining local martial arts with martial arts from this two provinces.
Hung Gar & Wing Chun
Many Martial Art Styles from Guangdong 广东 are also traditionally known as Cantonese Martial Art Styles, Hong Quan 洪拳 (Hung Gar) and Yong Chun Quan 咏春拳 (Wing Chun Fist) are without a doubt “The Icon” of Cantonese Martial Art Styles. Hong Kong movie makers have heavily used this two styles in their fight choreography since the 1950s, making them world famous.
Grandmasters and heroic figures of Hong Quan 洪拳 (Hung Gar) and Yong Chun Quan 咏春拳 (Wing Chun Fist) had time and time again being featured in Hong Kong movies. Hong Xi Guan 洪熙官 (Hung Hei Gun), Fang Shi Yu 方世玉 (Fong Sai Yuk), Huang Fei Hong 黄飞鸿 (Wong Fei Hung), Lin Shi Rong 林世荣 (Lam Sai Wing) and Ye Wen 叶问 (Ip Man) are of some the Grandmasters of this two iconic styles being featured in Hong Kong movies.
According to international statistics, Hong Quan 洪拳 (Hung Gar), the second most popular Cantonese Martial Art Style has over a quarter million practitioners. Yong Chun Quan 咏春拳 (Wing Chun Fist), the most popular Cantonese Martial Art Style and easily the world’s most popular Chinese Martial Art Style has over 2 million worldwide practitioners.
Hong Quan is considered to be the “Big Brother” of all Cantonese Martial Art Styles. Many styles are known to absorb Hong Quan’s techniques into their system. Many of China's legendary heroes practiced Hong Quan, this Martial Art Style is so immersed in China's culture and history that it will always be remembered.
Hong Quan uses lots of deep low stances and strong hand techniques. Famous for its "四平马 Sei Ping Ma" horse stance, “Forearm Bridge Hands 桥手” and the versatile “Tiger Claws”. Generally, Hong Quan combines the internal practicing on the spirit, willpower and courage as well as external practicing on the hands, eyes, waist, limbs and the overall physical conditions. As a result, it helps to strengthen the functions of the cardiovascular system, the digest system and the respiratory system.
Hong Quan was established during the Qing Dynasty 清朝 (1644AD - 1912AD) by Hong Xi Guan 洪熙官 (Hung Hei Gun), the top lay-disciple of Southern Shaolin’s Kung Fu Monk, Zhi San Chan Shi 至善禅师. Through Hong Xi Guan’s development of Hong Quan, Southern Shaolin techniques were imparted to the members of the Anti-Qing Heaven and Earth Society 天地会.
Huang Fei Hong 黄飞鸿 (Wong Fei Hung) and his disciple Lin Shi Rong 林世荣 (Lam Sai Wing) are visibly the most famous Hong Quan practitioner of modern times. As such their lineages have received the most attention and as such recorded in various historical documents.
Some of the famous Hong Quan set-routines are Hu He Shuang Xing 虎鹤双形 (Tiger Crane Paired Forms), Wu Xing Quan 五形拳 (Five Element Fist), Gong Zi Fu Hu Quan 工字伏虎拳 ("工" Character Taming the Tiger Fist), Dan Gong Fu Hu 单弓伏虎 (Single Bow Taming Tiger), San Zhan Shou 三展手 (Three Display Hands) etc. The main weapons of Hong Quan are Guan Dao 关刀, Dan Dao 单刀 (Sabre), Spear, Staff Pole and Umbrella.
Yong Chun Quan 咏春拳 (Wing Chun Fist), this Southern Kung Fu Style is noted for using a relatively high, narrow stance with the elbows kept close to the body known as the "Goat-Gripping Stance or Er Zi Qian Yang Ma 二字鉗羊马". Within the stance, arms are generally positioned across the vitals of the body's centerline with the hands in a vertical position to readily block and parry attacks or strike the opponent.
Yong Chun Quan practitioners are known for their ability to overwhelm opponents with rapid fire strikes and kicks. The centerline plays a key role in how Yong Chun Quan practitioners position themselves for defense and where they tend to attack. Practitioners of this Style like to deliver simultaneous attacks, trap opponents and render them immobile.
Each Yong Chun Quan lineage has its combat and weaponry specialties, and each lineage also has differences in set-routines. Most lineages have 3 set-routines while some have up to 12 set-routines, but all lineages of Yong Chun Quan are known to practice the Xiao Nian Tou 小念头 (Small Thoughts) set-routine. The main weapons of Yong Chun Quan are Dan Tou Gun 单头棍 (Single Ended Pole) and Ba Zhan Dao 八斩刀 (Dual Butterfly Swords).
There are many different claims to the origins of Yong Chun Quan. The Ye Wen Yong Chun 叶问咏春 (Ipman Wing Chun) lineage from Hong Kong claimed a Buddhist Nun, Wu Mei 五枚 developed a martial art style suitable to be used by females, she then imparted this Martial Art Style to a female martial artist named Yan Yong Chun 严咏春, and it was how Yong Chun Quan got its name.
The China government listed National Intangible Cultural Heritage, Shun De Yong Chun 顺德永春 and other older lineages of Yong Chun Quan have a totally different claim to its origins. According these older lineages, Yong Chun Quan was created by the Southern Shaolin Kung Fu Monk, Zhi San Chan Shi 至善禅师. During the Qing Dynasty 清朝 (1644AD - 1912AD), Zhi San Chan Shi 至善禅师 escaped with few other disciples to Guangdong 广东 from a Fujian Southern Shaolin Temple 福建南少林, as the temple was attacked and burned down by Qing soldiers for involvement in Anti-Qing 反清 activities.
Grandmasters and heroic figures of Hong Quan 洪拳 (Hung Gar) and Yong Chun Quan 咏春拳 (Wing Chun Fist) had time and time again being featured in Hong Kong movies. Hong Xi Guan 洪熙官 (Hung Hei Gun), Fang Shi Yu 方世玉 (Fong Sai Yuk), Huang Fei Hong 黄飞鸿 (Wong Fei Hung), Lin Shi Rong 林世荣 (Lam Sai Wing) and Ye Wen 叶问 (Ip Man) are of some the Grandmasters of this two iconic styles being featured in Hong Kong movies.
According to international statistics, Hong Quan 洪拳 (Hung Gar), the second most popular Cantonese Martial Art Style has over a quarter million practitioners. Yong Chun Quan 咏春拳 (Wing Chun Fist), the most popular Cantonese Martial Art Style and easily the world’s most popular Chinese Martial Art Style has over 2 million worldwide practitioners.
Hong Quan is considered to be the “Big Brother” of all Cantonese Martial Art Styles. Many styles are known to absorb Hong Quan’s techniques into their system. Many of China's legendary heroes practiced Hong Quan, this Martial Art Style is so immersed in China's culture and history that it will always be remembered.
Hong Quan uses lots of deep low stances and strong hand techniques. Famous for its "四平马 Sei Ping Ma" horse stance, “Forearm Bridge Hands 桥手” and the versatile “Tiger Claws”. Generally, Hong Quan combines the internal practicing on the spirit, willpower and courage as well as external practicing on the hands, eyes, waist, limbs and the overall physical conditions. As a result, it helps to strengthen the functions of the cardiovascular system, the digest system and the respiratory system.
Hong Quan was established during the Qing Dynasty 清朝 (1644AD - 1912AD) by Hong Xi Guan 洪熙官 (Hung Hei Gun), the top lay-disciple of Southern Shaolin’s Kung Fu Monk, Zhi San Chan Shi 至善禅师. Through Hong Xi Guan’s development of Hong Quan, Southern Shaolin techniques were imparted to the members of the Anti-Qing Heaven and Earth Society 天地会.
Huang Fei Hong 黄飞鸿 (Wong Fei Hung) and his disciple Lin Shi Rong 林世荣 (Lam Sai Wing) are visibly the most famous Hong Quan practitioner of modern times. As such their lineages have received the most attention and as such recorded in various historical documents.
Some of the famous Hong Quan set-routines are Hu He Shuang Xing 虎鹤双形 (Tiger Crane Paired Forms), Wu Xing Quan 五形拳 (Five Element Fist), Gong Zi Fu Hu Quan 工字伏虎拳 ("工" Character Taming the Tiger Fist), Dan Gong Fu Hu 单弓伏虎 (Single Bow Taming Tiger), San Zhan Shou 三展手 (Three Display Hands) etc. The main weapons of Hong Quan are Guan Dao 关刀, Dan Dao 单刀 (Sabre), Spear, Staff Pole and Umbrella.
Yong Chun Quan 咏春拳 (Wing Chun Fist), this Southern Kung Fu Style is noted for using a relatively high, narrow stance with the elbows kept close to the body known as the "Goat-Gripping Stance or Er Zi Qian Yang Ma 二字鉗羊马". Within the stance, arms are generally positioned across the vitals of the body's centerline with the hands in a vertical position to readily block and parry attacks or strike the opponent.
Yong Chun Quan practitioners are known for their ability to overwhelm opponents with rapid fire strikes and kicks. The centerline plays a key role in how Yong Chun Quan practitioners position themselves for defense and where they tend to attack. Practitioners of this Style like to deliver simultaneous attacks, trap opponents and render them immobile.
Each Yong Chun Quan lineage has its combat and weaponry specialties, and each lineage also has differences in set-routines. Most lineages have 3 set-routines while some have up to 12 set-routines, but all lineages of Yong Chun Quan are known to practice the Xiao Nian Tou 小念头 (Small Thoughts) set-routine. The main weapons of Yong Chun Quan are Dan Tou Gun 单头棍 (Single Ended Pole) and Ba Zhan Dao 八斩刀 (Dual Butterfly Swords).
There are many different claims to the origins of Yong Chun Quan. The Ye Wen Yong Chun 叶问咏春 (Ipman Wing Chun) lineage from Hong Kong claimed a Buddhist Nun, Wu Mei 五枚 developed a martial art style suitable to be used by females, she then imparted this Martial Art Style to a female martial artist named Yan Yong Chun 严咏春, and it was how Yong Chun Quan got its name.
The China government listed National Intangible Cultural Heritage, Shun De Yong Chun 顺德永春 and other older lineages of Yong Chun Quan have a totally different claim to its origins. According these older lineages, Yong Chun Quan was created by the Southern Shaolin Kung Fu Monk, Zhi San Chan Shi 至善禅师. During the Qing Dynasty 清朝 (1644AD - 1912AD), Zhi San Chan Shi 至善禅师 escaped with few other disciples to Guangdong 广东 from a Fujian Southern Shaolin Temple 福建南少林, as the temple was attacked and burned down by Qing soldiers for involvement in Anti-Qing 反清 activities.
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In Guangdong, Zhi San Chan Shi found refuge working as a chef on a Chinese Opera Boat. While working on the boat Zhi San Chan Shi developed a unique Martial Art Style suitable for using in the confined space of a boat, and he imparted this Martial Art Style to the opera troupe members. Zhi San Chan Shi then named this Martial Art Style as Yong Chun Quan 永春拳 to commemorate the Yong Chun Hall 永春殿 of the Fujian Southern Shaolin Temple he used to reside in. Overtime some practitioners of Yong Chun Quan 永春拳 renamed the Martial Art Style’s Chinese Characters to "咏春拳" to avoid detention from the Qing Government as many of its practitioners were involved in Anti-Qing activties.
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