Martial Arts: Kung Fu
Kung Fu is a broad term that is used to describe all martial arts of Chinese origin. Kung-Fu existing under many different names throught China’s history. Initially Kung Fu was called Ch’uan Fa (fist way).
The Shaolin monastery housed many fugitives from justice, and many warriors turned monk, which sets the roots of Kung Fu in the Shaolin Temple in Northern China. In fact there were five different Shaolin temples in five districts, and so five distinct styles of Shaolin Kung Fu developed.
Martial arts historians stress that Kung-Fu did not start at the Shaolin temple, but simply began to flourish under Shaolin’s influence. Kung-Fu became eventually categorised into Northern and Southern styles. In the south, Cantonese people pronounce Kung Fu as gung-fu. Southern styles use low stances and kicks and strong hand techniques because they are shorter and stockier than Northern (Mandarin) people. The Northern systems are characterised by stylish and difficult patterns and acrobatic legwork, presumably because it was colder in the North so hand movement was restricted by thick robes and the mountaineous terrain enforced the development of strong legs.
Kung Fu as one of the oldest martial arts has been a great influence to other and younger martial arts styles, such as Okinawan Karate styles and subsequently Japanese Karate styles.
In modern times, Wu-shu emerged as a mixture of circus-like acrobatics and martial arts, and in China, national competitions are held in this sport. Jet-Li is a famous exponent of Wu-Shu, popularising the art in the West by appearing in martial arts movies.
Typical Kung Fu weapons are the broadsword and the butterfly knives.
Origin of Kung Fu: China
July 16th, 2005 at 1:39 pm
i want to open the academy in pakistan
July 26th, 2005 at 4:02 pm
Just a few corrections/suggestions: 1.Kung Fu is the oldest martial art. Life started in the Middle East, however, culture developed in present da […] more
September 23rd, 2005 at 6:12 am
Sanda, in Chinese, means free style boxing. It is one of the modern styles developed and used by the Chinese military nowadays and is often seen on fo […] more
September 23rd, 2005 at 6:13 am
Shaolin Kung Fu is as vast and complex as the universe. This site will barely scratch the surface of its depths. An ancient Shaolin Master once said: […] more
October 2nd, 2005 at 7:52 am
I hold a black belt in 7 styles of Kung Fu. I am widely considered the most deadly man around. I am from the best lineage of Wing Chun, Shaolin Gung F […] more
October 11th, 2005 at 3:33 am
This is us Grandmaster Pauciullo Gilberto ,who is the Foundator of the MAN SEER KUNG PAI( Big Snakes School)Kung Fu Sistem .
October 12th, 2005 at 9:40 pm
I want to attempt Kung Fu but I don’t have any boo. I like it very much.
October 18th, 2005 at 7:06 am
Our little-known style, Northern Shaolin / Northern Praying Mantis, was developed primarily as a composite of two major styles. The Northern Shaolin s […] more
November 20th, 2005 at 3:36 am
i ddon’t think Justin has a clue about kung fu or even where life started.plus there is no panther kung fu you’ve been watching too many movies
December 14th, 2005 at 8:04 pm
I have also never heard of a panther kung fu. There are five animal styles, which are: White(Southern) or Black(Northern) Crane White(Southern) or […] more
December 18th, 2005 at 4:54 am
Is kung fu any good for self defence?
January 5th, 2006 at 5:36 am
Apart from wing chun the only other kung fu ive tried is shaolin. Spent three days bedridden with aching joints. Guessed i was too old to learn this s […] more
February 10th, 2006 at 11:49 am
I would just like to say that you all really do dissapoint me. None of your information on why actual Kung-Fu is accurate. I cry for you all.
February 13th, 2006 at 10:47 am
I made up my own martial art soi zue kune do way of the hamster fist
February 19th, 2006 at 1:50 am
Hey, if you would like to find out more about training in China and about Shaolin Gong Fu, Sanda, Ying Qi Gong, Acupuncture etc. http://www.chan […] more
February 19th, 2006 at 10:23 pm
Is Kung Fu worth studying?, what is a typical days training like, am i better off with muay tahi boxing?
February 20th, 2006 at 12:14 am
Actually, Kung fu’s origins are said to stem from the teachings of an Indian Buddhist onk named Bodhisatva or Bodhidharma who used techniques of yoga […] more
February 23rd, 2006 at 9:14 pm
It is unfortunate that you feel you must be “deadly” to have honor. After 40 years of learning, I may be well-versed but would feel shame to be consid […] more
February 28th, 2006 at 9:31 am
Hi David, well practising Kung Fu requires alot of dedication and self discipline. You need to practice day in, day out just to even begin to understa […] more
March 2nd, 2006 at 8:51 am
I have heard of panther style. I think its a rare style and it focuses on the speed of the panther. There are 100s of styles, monkey style is rare too […] more
March 2nd, 2006 at 2:33 pm
Hey I just finished getting my black belt in taikwondo. My teacher said i should take other martial art classes to get a more well rounded kind of sty […] more
March 11th, 2006 at 1:24 am
I am intrested in learning the lost art of hamster style
March 15th, 2006 at 7:13 pm
i took two years of tung sudo (misspelled) and another seven years of making up my own stuff, mainly to get my stamina up, as well as reflexes, speed, […] more
March 23rd, 2006 at 6:07 pm
I take kung fu in Toledo Oh. USA. And one thing I have learned is that true kung fu has no belt system. But you say you hold a black belt in 7 styles […] more
March 26th, 2006 at 6:32 pm
Kung fu isn’t any good for defence, any more than usage of any other martial art. It is, or they are, only systems of physical & mental training. […] more
April 1st, 2006 at 12:25 pm
I am considering taking up kung fu and want to know how effective it is as a method of self defence. Also would it provide you with an advantage over […] more
April 5th, 2006 at 11:57 pm
Are you referring to the lost art of hamster style portrayed in the movie Orgazmo by Trey Parker and Matt Stone?
April 6th, 2006 at 7:15 am
firstly i suggest you go find out for yourself and get a good teacher
April 6th, 2006 at 3:18 pm
I am seeing alot of misleading info reguarding Kung Fu in General. First, “Justin” was not far off in his post The Shaolin Kung Fu 5 animal style […] more
April 13th, 2006 at 11:13 am
What should I look for in a good kung fu school or teacher, any thoughts would be appreciated.
April 21st, 2006 at 6:18 am
Interesting stuff so far. At the moment i’m studying Jin Wu Kune, a form of Kung Fu (Or Gung Fu, as im half Cantonese). The teacher is one of Australi […] more
May 3rd, 2006 at 2:19 pm
Panther style Gung fu is not just about the speed of the panther…its much more darker than that. For starters, you need at least ten years of reg […] more
May 5th, 2006 at 5:32 pm
Hey bejamin tarachi I would like to know more about this panther style.Write more about later if u have time.
May 9th, 2006 at 2:03 am
Jesus invented kung fu in 1945 to fight the Huns. Until kung fu was created, all humans did during combat was throw rocks and spit at each other. Ther […] more
May 9th, 2006 at 8:37 am
Hi guys, i’ve been training in martial arts since i was 5. I am now 18 and at college currently doing my A-levels. I would just like to express some o […] more
May 10th, 2006 at 7:42 pm
George, I noticed your question, and found this little blurb from experts.com: http://experts.about.com/q/Kung-Fu-2254/Ranking-system-Shaolin.htm […] more
May 18th, 2006 at 10:38 pm
Kung Fu is a broad term that is used to describe all martial arts of Chinese origin. Kung-Fu existing under many different names throught China’s hi […] more
June 7th, 2006 at 12:49 am
Is their any age limit to start with…. i m 21 now ………any comments……
June 7th, 2006 at 3:36 pm
I’m thinking about learning tiger kung fu soon, but i’ve found two styles: black and white tiger. What’s the difference?
June 15th, 2006 at 8:30 am
Good question AJ who asked about the difference between tigers. Your in luck too because I just happen to use this site and many others on doing a lit […] more
June 26th, 2006 at 1:51 pm
the oldest form of martial arts is not kung fu.. your mistaken Justin…. kung-fu was brought to china by the shaolin monks… who tought the shao […] more
June 27th, 2006 at 5:24 pm
hey ya anyone wanna talk kung fu?
June 27th, 2006 at 9:28 pm
No Panther style Kung-Fu… are you serious??? So it’s 4 Animal Style, not 5, and Panthers, just like Tigers, weren’t studied in the wild by these c […] more
June 27th, 2006 at 9:30 pm
OH ya, I guess there’s no panther fist in Wing Chun either…
July 2nd, 2006 at 3:00 am
i want to learn kung fu !
July 4th, 2006 at 5:15 am
To Jimmy Yates-a good kung fu school.That is a tricky question but I can give you a few tips.Belts and uniforms are not good-there is no such thing as […] more
July 19th, 2006 at 1:54 am
hi my name is abbas iam from afghanistan iam 15 years old. iam now in australia with my fammily i worked kung fu in pakistan about 2 years. iam a goo […] more
August 4th, 2006 at 12:15 pm
BREDAN FOU A NEW MARTIAL ART STYLE THE FIGHTING WAY OF BLACK PANTHER. BREDAN BREAN FOU A HORD MARTIAL ARTS STYLE BREDAN FOU MARTIAL ARTS INCLUDE BLACK […] more
August 8th, 2006 at 5:30 am
I believe someone wanted an extended write up on Panther-style gung fu. Learning this form of martial art is, as stated earlier, quite a herculean […] more
August 9th, 2006 at 3:42 am
shaolin chu kung fu traing is there in bommanahalli,hosur road . in govt. primary school ground, near to tharavadu restaurent
August 16th, 2006 at 2:02 pm
U want to know what pure shaolin kungfu iz contact Double Dragon akhter. Islamabad Pakistan in jungles of G-7.
August 24th, 2006 at 11:53 am
Do you guys know that Bruce Lee was beaten by a Silat Guru from Malaysia? In 1973, Dato Meor Abdul Rahman used deadly hand technique known as “Kipas […] more
September 1st, 2006 at 2:27 am
so why nobaidy in india has that history of martial arts. Why that style in only present in china?
September 1st, 2006 at 11:15 pm
kungfu is the oldest martial art in the world. the first martial arts is kungfu with the complex movement. learn kungfu same the meaning with learn […] more
September 3rd, 2006 at 3:13 am
Stephen Sifu teaches Kung-fu on Monday,Wednesday, Friday morning in Koramangala, BDA he is one of the best masters
September 16th, 2006 at 6:26 am
Dhanu Kungfu Master Contact No: 98458 04020 My Contact Number: 99804 68915 Classes : JPNagar, BTM Layout
September 21st, 2006 at 5:34 am
hi
October 2nd, 2006 at 1:21 am
Respected sir, I want to learn thai kickboxing. so I need detail information which are needed.if u send me the details I will gratefu […] more
October 3rd, 2006 at 9:22 am
No you don’t, real kung fu, i am a student of master yan xin, who trained in the shaolin temple for 15 years and was one of the wushu warriors in the […] more
October 29th, 2006 at 11:11 pm
Wooptie do for you james paton.. you know what the problem is with evry one on here. i was just reading and the people that like to masure faclicies […] more
October 29th, 2006 at 11:15 pm
you know what.. forget this… I challange James paton… Name where and when.
November 9th, 2006 at 8:03 am
I AM SIFU SHAHZAD AZIZ FROM PAKISTAN I AM PRESIDENT PAKISTAN HUNG GAR KUNG FU ASSOCIATION INST.CHIU CHI LING WUSHU KUNG FU ACADEMY ISLAMABAD PAKISTAN […] more
November 16th, 2006 at 11:53 pm
Grand Master Double Dragon Akhter in Double Dragon Club in jungles of g-7 is the best in Islamabad and maybe in Pakistan. Our master is known as BAADS […] more
November 20th, 2006 at 11:19 pm
if u go to China, and ask someone where u can learn Kung Fu, they are not going to kno what the hell ur talking about. Kung Fu is a term that means to […] more
November 26th, 2006 at 8:27 am
Check in the Makkalakoota ground on Monday, Wed and Friday…. Or mail me i will send you the details… care_belaku AT yahoo.co.in
November 27th, 2006 at 2:13 am
kung fu is very good in all over the world i like kung fu and kung fu made strong and number one in the all sports kung is well really good .
November 28th, 2006 at 7:13 am
Go through this Link and u’l gt 2 kno.. frm wer Kung-Fu has cm!!! Regards Subin Benjamin http://www.kalaripayattu.org/
November 29th, 2006 at 12:58 am
There are Kung Fu Classes in Jayanagar, JP Nagar and BTM. Do visit this website : www.geocities.com/indianshaoline
December 2nd, 2006 at 12:37 am
Is there any way to make the joint free in ourbody. what are the specific exercise that do
December 3rd, 2006 at 11:51 pm
why has nobody mentioned the fact there is also dragon style kung fu. panther is a rarely used style of kung fu infact there are very many styles the […] more
December 8th, 2006 at 12:04 am
there r many styles of kung fu like lauren said, i have also seen eagle, monkey, different kinds of crane, i have also seen locust, its very interesti […] more
December 11th, 2006 at 9:58 pm
In your description of the origins of Kung Fu you refer to the Northern Chinese people as “Mandarin”, this is wrong. Mandarin refers to the offical st […] more
December 12th, 2006 at 5:51 am
i learned different type of kung fu when i was kid. until i found the real kung fu (shaolin temples, northern styles). learning 4 styles took 1 year, […] more
December 20th, 2006 at 8:15 am
I think kung fu is really cool, but a bit to dramatic for its own good. Like drunken fist style, i’ve seen so karate people mash them up bad, even tho […] more
December 27th, 2006 at 8:50 am
hello sir! im bilal from hafizabad pakistan. i also like to play kung fu,have got black belt 1st dan in karate also. I want to visit your c […] more
January 18th, 2007 at 5:49 pm
i hold alot more than 7 black belts in wushu and various styles of martial arts–but i don’t consider myself the “deadlist” man around! mr james paton […] more
January 18th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
never knew of no “belts” in wushu/kung fu ! do you hold over 7 black “ropes” ?
January 18th, 2007 at 6:08 pm
hi every one. am new to this. i will not state my experiences nor my “belts” like mr james as it serves no good. i’ve learned many great styles and ar […] more
January 21st, 2007 at 1:14 pm
this project is damn hard. kiil the sport teacher. saddam 4ever! jackie rocks(anladdin sen onu)
January 22nd, 2007 at 4:33 am
how do you know that? that is Fucking bullshit. show some pictures or clips to proove your self or shut your ass up. morons like you are the reasons […] more
January 24th, 2007 at 11:03 pm
Need to learn kung fu .. Koramangala / Madivala area….
February 13th, 2007 at 11:14 pm
we had a dispute at work. It was who would win in a fight bruce lee or jet li? I say Jet li why most say bruce. Dont get me wrong bruce is a legend an […] more
February 14th, 2007 at 5:16 pm
BRUCE LEE IS A FIGHTING GOD!!!! Bruce Lee would win for sure. He practiced a lot more martial arts then Jet Li, and had a dayly training regeim. N […] more
February 16th, 2007 at 6:19 am
i want to join your team as student to learn martial arts.
February 16th, 2007 at 6:20 am
i want to join your team as student to learn martial arts.l’;/l;
February 19th, 2007 at 12:28 pm
Stick with Black Tiger. Its legit and historically verifiable. The White Tiger system deals in selling meditations that are supposed (as legend says) […] more
March 11th, 2007 at 11:29 pm
There is a panther kungfu. It is also known as leapord. Yes it is quite rare in the west, but not so rare traditionally - there are plenty of webpages […] more
March 25th, 2007 at 3:59 pm
want to learn how to kickbox.can you help
April 6th, 2007 at 6:17 am
moi je taime le sport le taikwondo cest an tres joli sport par ce que il ya le molime dans cette sport
April 9th, 2007 at 7:07 pm
i will learn the ways of the force as a jedi.
April 27th, 2007 at 11:10 am
lad gorg, you rock man! i totally agree wiv you - Lee was a total fighting legend and surely knew his stuff!
April 27th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
well, “true kung fu” has no belt system, but you have to take in mind that grandmaster Wu Hung-Su developed the kung fu belt system only to give his s […] more
May 12th, 2007 at 1:42 pm
Dear Brace Lee, Where is the sorce of your story about Bruce Lee being beaten by a Silat person? Whould love to know.
May 16th, 2007 at 4:15 pm
Hello everybody, I am doing a project for school and i’m wondering where I could get good books to do research on kung fu and if there are any good in […] more
May 16th, 2007 at 5:56 pm
James open this link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kung_fu And also try to get Kung Fu Magazine, it has lots of articles on Kung Fu and pretty much […] more
May 29th, 2007 at 7:30 am
The Ultimate destiny of any spiritual martial art, like kung fu or India kalaripayatu is not just to mold up a fighter,but while other skills are just […] more
June 16th, 2007 at 8:41 am
I am a practitioner of Fujien Black Panther Combat Gung-Fu. It has been guarded by my family for almost 60 years. I am currently the inheritor of the […] more
June 16th, 2007 at 8:55 pm
Enlighten me please. My friend has a friend whose brother went to China, and there he learned a drunken fighting style. Through sparring, he learned […] more
June 30th, 2007 at 10:31 am
Hey can any of you give my tips for using soft weapons, like whip chain, rope dart, and nunchaku. Thanks.
July 21st, 2007 at 7:27 am
If you can fight on your feet then you need to learn to fight on the ground, learn Jujitsu. I’m not worried about kick boxers, taikwondo, karate, k […] more
July 22nd, 2007 at 8:04 am
Yes Boog that maybe true, but in ordor to do that you must first get them on the floor, and don’t you think that srtickers learn how to keep their opo […] more
July 25th, 2007 at 1:08 am
i love kungfu but i have no any website and no any teacher he will teach me will you help me will you teach me thanyou
August 1st, 2007 at 8:06 pm
Kung Fu is not only related to Martial Arts. It does not mean ‘Martial Art’ or ‘Combat Way’ it means ‘one with an earnest devition through hard work a […] more
August 6th, 2007 at 6:30 am
Black panther style is indeed a rare style. Why people don’t hear about it? if you’re in a kung-fu school and the teacher tells you that ther’s no pan […] more
August 8th, 2007 at 1:20 am
There are vast amount of Chinese kung fu styles. Many are very rare but also very effective. There a many animals other than the 5 animal styles that […] more
September 14th, 2007 at 3:13 am
To be a Black Belt in Kung Fu strikes me strage since in Kung Fu, they dont have a belt system…it’s a system of degrees…just a thought…
September 30th, 2007 at 8:46 am
can anyone give me any info on pai lum (white dragon) Kung Fu, as i was thinking about starting at a local club, but don’t know much about it.
October 2nd, 2007 at 9:55 am
True Kung-Fu is a system of NO-FIGHTING. Even in the self defense itself it is only preformed properly by not injuring at all. The white belt sign […] more
October 2nd, 2007 at 11:11 am
i want you to really learn martial art
October 18th, 2007 at 10:49 pm
Oldest martial art : Kalaripayatt
November 11th, 2007 at 7:10 am
What about kalari?
November 21st, 2007 at 1:23 pm
sir, sifu rizwan husaan who is the founder of Bredan Fou is the greatest man in the world . He is my best karate teacher. i like very mu […] more
December 12th, 2007 at 6:24 am
Kung fu is a form of Martial Arts is the best form of self defence because it inculcates minds and body.
December 17th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
thats style is great and more power full then any other. kngfu style
December 24th, 2007 at 4:24 pm
Hello people. Im currently training at a Dojo in Florida and learning a Northren kung fu style called Wah Lum, Ive been to 3 classes so far and was […] more
December 27th, 2007 at 12:41 am
i want to kung fu..its my childhood ambition.can u help me. i want to learn in chennai in india.bye..
January 7th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
I live in FL, USA. I am very interested in learning, but I have no way to find some place credible that wont lead me astray. I want to learn the prope […] more
January 13th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
it is a good way to Learning Kung Fu from the DVD.
January 14th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
I was going to write a rather aggressive letter to you, but i actually feel sorry for you (you obviously have some serious issue’s and are mentally be […] more
January 25th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
U have omitted my Drunken Fist.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:42 am
Anyone who considers themselves the most deadly man around has to be a fraud. Any quality martial artist that has had success seems to be so at ease […] more
January 28th, 2008 at 7:10 am
hello, My name is ANKIT KHARE and i am from surat, now i am doing a job in saraspur in AHMEDABAD and i need to go under KUNG-FU CLASSES,where can i g […] more
January 28th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
actually, bruce died due to serious injuries on his stomach due to my grandmother’s rasengan….
anybody can claim it rite..??
February 3rd, 2008 at 3:04 am
i want to know about kung fu is real or not
February 7th, 2008 at 8:22 am
I M THE PRESIDENT OF ASIAN HUNG GAR KUNG FU ORGANIZATION. OUR FIRST PROPOSE TO PROMOT HUNGAR IN ASIA, WE ARE GOING TO ORGANIZE SOUTH EAST ASIAN HUNG G […] more
February 13th, 2008 at 8:13 am
I am wangira Ambrose in Uganda E.Africa, I love to learn more about Kung Fu. I always wanted to learn it but in our country we do not have any Kung Fu […] more
March 1st, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Hello Sifu Aziz. How are you? I hope that you’re fine my friend.
March 13th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
i really want to learn how to defend myself
March 18th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Kung-Fu was actually brought to the Shaolin monks by a monk from India. India is the birthplace of Kung-Fu.
March 22nd, 2008 at 5:13 am
Assalamoalaikum! can you please inform where is your martial arts institute located and are classes conducted there? I am interested in admission. […] more
April 9th, 2008 at 6:53 am
Hi, I would like to join for martial arts, can you please let me know the training centre which is very near to JP NAGAR 1st phase. Thank you. […] more
April 10th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
Hi I want to learn KUNG FU. I want info about classes in and near Koramangal 1st bolck and Venkatapura.
April 15th, 2008 at 2:04 am
Hi Fellows! I want to know if any training institute, academy in Islamabad, Pakistan for females/girls to learn Kung fu and/or Martial Arts and/or […] more
April 30th, 2008 at 3:24 am
No, it was just a rumour. He died because of poison or effect of training.
May 2nd, 2008 at 3:24 pm
THE BREDON FOU MARTIAL ART IS NEW STYLE BUT EFECTIVE SO PLZ SEARCH ABOUT
May 7th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
I know there is a large amount of information in the comments and I’ve been looking through them a bit, but i don’t want to read them all… I am extr […] more
May 8th, 2008 at 1:08 am
On my second question I don’t think I was very clear… I meant, with there being such a huge number of different versions of kung fu, is there a set […] more
May 8th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
I’m sorry to say that your questions are both unanswerable. There are many animal styles, such as tiger, panther, bear, praying mantis, crane, etc. Be […] more
May 10th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
everyone knows that bodhidharma invented kung fu
May 15th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
i like kung fu very much!!! i