Classification of Chinese Martial Arts
Martial arts have been created and developed for self-defense and survival throughout human history. Chinese martial arts is generally called Wushu, where Wu means military and shu means art, thus Wushu means the art of fighting. Proper martial-arts training can improve physical ability, health, and willpower and mental discipline. The soul of the martial art is to increase a person’s inner quality, not setting fighting as the purpose. Martial arts have thousands of years’ history. Over the past two to four thousand years, many distinctive styles have been developed, each with its own set of techniques and ideas.
Chinese martial arts being an important component of Chinese culture are also influence by the various religions in China. Many styles were founded by groups that were influenced by one of the three great religions: Buddhism, Taoism and Islam. Buddhist styles are those styles that originated or practiced within Buddhist temples and later spread to lay community. The most famous of these are the Shaolin (and related) styles, e.g. Shaolinquan, Luohanquan, Hung Gar, Wing Chun, Dragon style and White Crane. Taoist styles are popularly associated with Taoism, the credulous may believe that they were created or trained mostly within Taoist Temples or by Taoist ascetics, which often later spread out to laymen. These styles include those trained in the Wudang temple, and often include Taoist principles, philosophy, and imagery. Some of these arts include Taijiquan, Wudangquan, baguazhang and Liuhebafa. Islamic styles are those that were practiced traditionally solely or mainly by the Muslim Hui minority in China. These styles often include Muslim principles or imagery. Some of these styles include Chaquan, Tan Tui, some branches of Xingyiquan, and Qishiquan.