Five Ancestor Fist Wu Zu Quan
By Kam P. Lee
Five Ancestor Fist aka Wu Zu Quan in Mandarin is a Chinese martial arts style that integrates five different ancestors or masters and shows their individual strengths such as softness and hardness (White Crane), agility and footwork (Monkey), precision and efficiency (Taizu), posture and dynamic power (Luo Han or Arhat – Immortal), and breathing and iron body training (Damo).
Wu Zu Ouan’s origins are not well documented. Various schools date the founding to around 1300, while others put it as late as the 1800s. In addition, many legends about its origins have been handed down; although the names differ, they do agree that a famous skilled martial artist created the style in Fujian Province.
Wu Zu Ouan is a Southern short hand fighting style noted for effective close-range combat methods including joint locks and leg sweeps. Devoid of flowery forms and fancy maneuvers, Wu Zu Quan movements are simple and direct. The original system consists of 109 forms, which include open-hand forms, two-person drills, weapons, double weapons, and Green Lion sets.
Consistent practice of specialized forms develops the internal strength necessary for the application of sound martial arts skills. This training helps to strengthen the student’s physical and mental qualities and to harmonize the internal and external Ql (energies) while developing confidence, discipline and good health through proper body mechanics. As with other martial arts, to ensure a good foundation of martial skill, success is attainable only through dedicated practice, determination, perseverance, sacrifice, and most of all, patience.
The Five Fighting Systems
1. Great Ancestor Fist (Taizu Quan): The characteristic of this fist style is its solidity and internal strength. The feeling of the stance is that of the feet gripping the ground. The arms and legs are hard as iron and the twisting of the waist is like a lively dragon. Further, the body is said to be like an iron shield and the advancing steps like a ferocious tiger pouncing on its prey. Attacking and defending moves are executed simultaneously. Although it seems like one is working with hardness and tension, the transitions between movements are subtle and smooth.
2. Arhat Fist (Luohan Quan): This style was developed in the initial Shaolin era and named for Da Mo, who came from India to spread health-preservation exercises to the Chinese people; these exercises were incorporated into existing systems and later known as Shaolin martial arts and Qlgong. The footwork of Luohan Ouan is a front-bow, back-arrow horse stance. The arms are like iron; the hands and palms like those of a dragon playing with water. The attacking techniques are not head-on but rather from the sides.
3. White Crane Fist (Baihe Quan): White Crane features the power of the forearm for striking and parrying. Combined with its rapid change of footwork, the method of hooking and seizing to control an opponent’s arm is sudden and powerful. The characteristics of this fist is to train the practitioner to be agile in footwork and movement. White Crane Qlnn a is also an exceptional skill to master.
4. Monkey Fist (Hou Quan): Relying on its characteristic nimbleness and agility, HouOuan emphasizes short, rapid movements to engage the enemy. Using techniques to feint and confuse the opponent, it is adept with catching, striking, and finger techniques for defense and attack. Its best feature is the quick change of body, speed, and strength of hand and palm. It is also famous for ground techniques such as rolling, tumbling, and other deceiving actions. Most of its attacks are aimed at the opponent’s knees, groin area, throat, or eyes. Hand strikes are typically open-hand slaps or claws with a semi-closed fist (the monkey claw).
5. Soft Fist (Xuan Nu Quan): A soft but powerful fighting style characterized by the use of a relaxed tension to overcome an opposing force and redirect it at the opponent. Emphasizing softness as a means of training it works to condition the tendons, bones, and muscles into an elastic strength. Xuan Nu Ouan trains the student to emit power by transferring strength from the legs through the waist and to the arms. Among all of the five arts, Xuan Nu Ouan is hardest to master, but once attained, it serves to complete mastery of the art of Wuzu Ouan. The practitioner will come to understand the harmony of hardness and softness, internal and external, and the theory and principles of Tai]l as the Grand Ultimate.
Important Teachers
Shifu Gan De Yuan (1884-1946) was born in Yongchun county, Fujian province in Southern China during the Qing dynasty. He was an expert in Chinese medicine and martial arts. Shifu Gan learned the 5 ancestor’s 五祖拳 style from his aunt’s husband and quickly became highly accomplished in it.
In the early 1900s, he arrived in Singapore and established his school in 1916. The martial arts school was located in Club Street in Singapore Chinatown and offered martial arts training and medical services.
In 1918, he established another school in Kuala Lumpur, and another school in Malacca in 1927. As a result of his institutional expansion, his students can be found in China, Singapore and Malaya. In 1928, one of his disciples, Mr. Lin Bao Shan 林宝山, achieved national championship in the National competition held in Nanjing.
Cai Yuming was from Fangwei county, Fujian province. From a wealthy background which then allowed him to focus on his real interests in the martial arts. It is mentioned that he became a student of many boxing teachers and later a disciple of Taizuquan Master He Yang (何阳) in Zhangzhou and later through travels absorbed the techniques of many martial arts formulating Wuzuquan (五祖拳, 5 Ancestors Boxing) which he passed on to disciples after returning to Quanzhou where he opened martial arts schools. He Started two schools Longhui (龙会) and ShengGong (圣公).
Cai Yuming became the most renowned master in Quanzhou and the influence so strong that many Taizuquan masters took tutelage and adopted their teachings. It is for this reason that the Taizuquan and Wuzuquan traditions in Quanzhou later became so interrelated as they shared the same core origin as well as developments.