Five Ancestors

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This article is about the martial art. For the folklore figures written with the same Chinese
characters, see Five Elders.

Five Ancestors Fist

Pinyin: w z qun
Minnan: ng ch kn

Five Ancestors

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Five Ancestors Fist (Wuzuquan or Ngo-cho Kun) is a Southern Chinese martial art that consists
of techniques from five styles:

the breathing methods and iron body of Bodhidharma ()[1]

the posture and dynamic power of Luohan ()[2]

the precision and efficient movement of Emperor Taizu ()[3]

the hand techniques and the complementary softness and hardness of Fujian White
Crane ()[4]
the agility and footwork of Monkey ()[5]

The combination of these five styles and their characteristic techniques were during the creation
of the Five Ancestor System, consolidated by a sixth influence; Xuan Nu also known as Hian
Loo().[6] 'The Lady in the Green Dress,' who introduced the most deadly of its
techniques Dim Mak lethal strikes to the pressure points of the body.
There are two versions of Wuzuquans history, with some putting the founding of the art around
1300 AD, while others put it as late as the 19th century. Five Ancestors has been attributed
variously to Chua Giok Beng ( -or- ) (pinyin: Ci Ymng)
ofJinjiang near Quanzhou in Fujian in the second half of the 19th century or to Bi Yfeng, [7] a
famous 13th century monk from the original Henan Shaolin Temple in the North of China to
whom Five Animals style and Hngqun () have also been attributed. The Bai branch has
most of the history, principles and execution very differently than the other branches who are
more familiar to each other. One couldn't stop wonder if the Malaysian Bai branch should be an
independent style, not under Wuzuquan
The Cai (Chua) branch also calls themselves He Yang Pai (), a tribute to Cai's teacher.
Some practitioners also credit the influence of the Xuan Nu () system, with its emphasis
on flowing movements and humility, for refining the art of Five Ancestors.[8]
One of the primary characteristics of Five Ancestors is its reliance on the Sam Chien (literally
"three battles":) stance and the corresponding hand form of the same name, which it
obtained from Fujian White Crane. The "three battles" refer primarily to the three stages of Wuzu
practitioners can achieve: combat preparation, combat tactic and combat strategy; all of which
must be mastered in order to attained a good level. "Three Battles" has multi-faceted meaning:
conceptual, physical, and spiritual.

Sam Chien can also be said to allow development of the eight Five Ancestor principles and so, is
considered the most important form in the style. Indeed, it is said that this form contains all the
principles of the Five Ancestors system. Thus it is the first form taught to junior students, so that
they may explore the essential points of Five Ancestors from the start of their training.
Although the exact method depends on the school, Five Ancestors is known for its large variety
of power generational methods. Due to the distinct character of each ancestor, these methods
change depending on the power required. Some schools teach tension forms that develop
power, of which there are about ten, and fist forms that train technique, of which there are
dozens. Others stress a relaxed body, instead seeking maximum transmission of the relevant jin.
For the He Yang ()branch/School, these 2 extremes are represented by the Lu Wanding/Lo
Ban Teng () lineages representing the earlier. The teaching of Lu style is mostly in
Indonesia (in the city of Jakarta and Surakarta/Solo). The latter is represented by the latter
teaching of Shen Yangde/Sim Yang Tek () whose style evolved from more direct in the
earlier teaching In Xiamen to the "seeking maximum transmission of the relevant jin"when he had
moved to Singapore. The Surakarta/Solo branch has a unique execution as it integrates the Lu
and the earlier Shen's teaching. The style was popularized in solo by Lin Shui Gang/Liem Tjoei
Kang () who was the nephew of Lu as well as an adopted son of Shen. In the surface, it
seems to be counter-intuitive to integrate two opposite spectrum of teaching. However, the
underlying principle of He Yang lineages are the same and the integration follows the principles
taught by Coshu He Yang and proven as effective as the other lineages.
On top of this are miscellaneous hand forms, two-man forms (also known as form-drill) that may
or may not include sticking hands, and forms for a comprehensive arsenal of weapons including
rice bowl and chopsticks, umbrellas, even opium pipes.
Over the decades masters have added to this list introducing material they considered relevant
to the time.
Five Ancestors is now taught
in China, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Sweden,
the United Kingdom, Germany, Norway, Sweden, the United
States, Switzerland, Canada, Denmark and Spain.
Contents
[hide]

1 Governance

2 Ranking system

3 References

4 External links

Governance[edit]
The peak international body for Wuzuquan is the International South Shaolin Wuzuquan
Federation, which was established in 1989. The twelfth and current President of the Federation is
James Chee of Australia, who took over from John Graham of the United States in November
2011.[9] The Federation convenes annually in Quanzhou, China with discussions held regarding
the preservation of the art.

Ranking system[edit]
An internationally recognized ranking system for Wuzuquan practitioners was established at the
2010 International Shaolin Wuzuquan Federation conference, in Quanzhou China. [citation needed] A ten
level (duan) system was agreed upon for the most senior grades, and mirrors the equivalent

systems used in karate (dan) and taekwondo. The 10th duan is recognised as the highest level,
whilst the 1st duan is the lowest. However, not all legitimate branches actively participate in the
union.
The first group of honorary 10th duan Wuzuquan practitioners to be formally recognized includes
both living and deceased masters. These masters are awarded the duan for their involvement in
the promotion of Wuzuquan. These 10th duan practitioners include Chee Kim Thong (Malaysia),
Yap Ching Hai (Malaysia), Kim Han (United Kingdom), James Chee (Australia), Lu Qing Hui
(Philippines), Hsu Nai Jing (Singapore), Chen Hung (Philippines), Su Zai Fu (Quanzhou), Zhi
Yuan Li (Philippines), Shan Fa (Taiwan), Huang Qing Jiang (Quanzhou), Lu Si Ming (Philippines),
Hong Dun Geng (Hong Kong). [10]
John Graham of the United States was awarded the rank of 10th duan at the 2011 International
Shaolin Wuzuquan Federation conference.[11]

References[edit]
1.

Jump up^ Han Jin Yuan: Fundamentals of Nan Shaolin Wuzuquan, Vol. 1, page 28,
2002.

2.

Jump up^ Han Jin Yuan: Fundamentals of Nan Shaolin Wuzuquan, Vol. 1, page 29,
2002.

3.

Jump up^ Han Jin Yuan: Fundamentals of Nan Shaolin Wuzuquan, Vol. 1, page 30,
2002.

4.

Jump up^ Han Jin Yuan: Fundamentals of Nan Shaolin Wuzuquan, Vol. 1, page 31,
2002.

5.

Jump up^ Han Jin Yuan: Fundamentals of Nan Shaolin Wuzuquan, Vol. 1, page 32,
2002.

6.

Jump up^ Hian Loo (The Lady in the Green Dress)

7.

Jump up^ The Creation of the Wuzuquan System

8.

Jump up^ Han Jin Yuan: Fundamentals of Nan Shaolin Wuzuquan, Vol. 1, page 33,
2002.

9.

Jump up^ James Chee's appointment as twelfth Chairman

10.

Jump up^ List of 10th Duan Wuzuquan Masters

11.

Jump up^ John Graham 10th Duan

External links[edit]

Additional information about the history of the Five Ancestors

Categories:
Chinese martial arts