With regards to the Shaolin style of martial arts, the oldest evidence of Shaolin participation in combat is a stele from 728 CE that attests to two occasions: a defense of the Shaolin Monastery from bandits around 610 CE, and their subsequent role in the defeat of Wang Shichong at the Battle of Hulao in 621 CE From the 8th to the 15th centuries, there are no extant documents that provide evidence of Shaolin participation in combat.
Also, the noted physician, Hua Tuo, composed the "Five Animals Play" - tiger, deer, monkey, bear, and bird, around 220 BCE Taoist philosophy and their approach to health and exercise migth have influeced to certain extent the Chinese martial arts.Ī sparring form of Shaolinquan, an external style of Chinese martial arts, being demonstrated at Daxiangguo Monastery in Kaifeng, Henan. In 39-92 CE, "Six Chapters of Hand Fighting", were included in the Han Shu (history of the Former Han Dynasty) written by Pan Ku. Taoist practitioners have been practicing Tao Yin, physical exercises similar to Qigong that was one of the progenitors to Tai Chi Chuan, at least as early as 500 BCE. Those examples shows that over time, the ideas associated with Chinese martial arts changed with the evolving Chinese society and over time acquired philosophical basis.
The Art of War ( 孫子兵法), written during the 6 th century BCE by Sun Tzu ( 孫子), deals directly with military warfare but contains ideas that are used in the Chinese martial arts. According to one of the classic texts of Confucianism, Zhou Li (周禮/周礼),Īrchery and charioteering were part of the "six arts" ( Template:Zh-tsp, including rites, music, calligraphy and mathematics) of the Zhou Dynasty (1122-256 BCE). The Tao Te Ching, often credited to Lao Zi, is another Daoist text that contains principles applicable to martial arts. Zhuangzi, its eponymous author, is believed to have lived in the 4 th century BCE. Passages in the Zhuangzi (庄子), a Daoist text, pertain to the psychology and practice of martial arts. Martial arts are also mentioned in Chinese philosophy. The modern concepts of wushu were fully developed by the Ming and Qing dynasties. In the Song and Yuan dynasties, xiangpu (the earliest form of sumo) contests were sponsored by the imperial courts. In the Tang Dynasty, descriptions of sword dances were immortalized in poems by Li Bai. 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 (722–481 BCE). Jiao li is now known as shuai jiao in its modern form.
The Han History Bibliographies record that, by the Former Han (206 BCE – 8 CE), there was a distinction between no-holds-barred weaponless fighting, which it calls shǒubó (手搏), for which "how-to" manuals had already been written, and jiao li. Jiao li became a sport during the Qin Dynasty (221-207 BCE). This combat system included techniques such as strikes, throws, joint manipulation, and pressure point attacks. Regardless of these legends, jiao di evolved during the Zhou Dynasty (2nd millennium BCE) into a combat wrestling system called juélì or jiǎolì (角力)and was mentioned in the Classic of Rites.
He allegedly developed the practice of jiao di or horn-butting and utilized it in war. 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.
Chinese martial arts are now an integral element of Chinese culture.Īccording to legend, the reign of the Yellow Emperor (Huangdi, traditional date of ascension to the throne, 2698 BC) introduced the earliest forms of martial arts to China. In return, influence of martial arts ideals can be found in poetry, fiction and film. From this beginning, Chinese martial arts proceeded to incorporate different philosophies and ideas into its practice - expanding its purpose from self-defense to health and finally as method of self cultivation. Hand to hand combat and weapons practice were important components in the training of Chinese soldiers. The origins of Chinese martial arts are traced to self-defense needs, hunting activities and military training in ancient China. Ancient depiction of martial monks practicing the art of self defense.