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Chinese Martial Arts
The origins of Chinese martial arts can be traced to self-defense needs, hunting activities and military training in ancient China. Hand to hand combat and weapons practice were important components in the training of Chinese soldiers. Eventually, Chinese martial arts became an important element of Chinese culture.
According to legend, the reign of the Yellow Emperor (Huangdi, traditional date of ascension to the throne, 2698 B.C.) introduced the earliest forms of martial arts to China. The Yellow Emperor is described as a famous general who, before becoming China’s leader, wrote lengthy treatises on medicine, astrology and the martial arts.
Sophisticated theories of martial arts based on the opposing ideas of yin and yang, and the integration of "hard" and "soft" techniques are recorded in the annals of the Spring and Autumn Period (722 BCE–481 BCE).
In the Tang Dynasty, description of sword dances were immortalized in poems by Li Bai. In the Song and Yuan dynasties, xiangpu (the earliest form of sumo) contests were sponsored by the imperial courts. The modern concepts of wushu were fully developed by the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Kung Fu Chinese martial arts training consists of the following components: basics, forms, applications and weapons. Each style of Chinese martial arts has its own unique training system with varying emphasis on each of those components. In addition, philosophy and ethics are highly regarded by most Chinese martial arts. True Chinese martial arts training should provide insight into Chinese attitudes and culture.