History of Kung Fu Fighting Styles

The origins of Kung Fu or the Chinese martial arts are well hidden behind many mythical facts of folklore and outrageous deeds. Much of its original, authentic history is lost, with just a few remnants surviving. This article deals with the different Kung Fu fighting styles that have survived the passage of time.

Its origins can be traced back to more than three thousand years, back to ancient China where personal combat was considered to be a form of science. But it was only during the Han Dynasty that definite records of combat strategies and techniques (whether empty-handed or weapon-oriented) were printed. The earliest records that we have today, of martial arts schools in china date back to the era of the Six Dynasties. The next major contribution in the history of the Chinese martial arts can be traced back to the contributions made by the Ch’an Buddhism, which founded the Shaolin temple and of course Shaolin Kung Fu.

From here on, regular combat skills were elevated to more than just simple fighting techniques. Kung Fu was then considered to be a vehicle for spiritual transformation. Shaolin Kung Fu consists of both internal as well as external methods. As the reputation of Shaolin Kung Fu grew, martial artists from all over would travel great distances to become monks, and each would bring with him his own set of unique combat skills.

In the next 1500 years, the temple was burnt down at least 3 times, but each time it would be rebuilt and the surviving monks would continue to teach Kung Fu to the others. Consequently, the art became very widespread and many of the Kung Fu styles you find today can be traced back to the Shaolin temple.

See Here Kung Fu Fighting Styles