Dragon Kung Fu

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Chinese dragons
Chinese dragons

The movements of the Dragon style (Traditional Chinese: 龍形摩橋; Yale Cantonese: lung4 ying4 mo1 kiu4; literally "dragon shape rubbing bridges") of Chinese martial arts are based on the mythical Chinese dragon.

Contents

[edit] History

Because the history of Dragon style has historically been transmitted orally rather than by text, its origins will probably never be known in their entirety.

Modern Dragon style historians relate that one of the last members of the Shaolin Temple before its first destruction (1647) was Wu Mui, who is said to have originated the Dragon style (Chow & Spangler, 1982, p. 44). The Shaolin Kung Fu Institute states explicitly that Dragon style was created at the Shaolin Temple in Henan c. 1565 but, in addition to the Wu Mui attribution, also offers an alternative origin that identifies Dragon style with the related martial art of Yau Gung Mun,[1] which it attributes to a monk Mui Fa San Yang, in contradiction to Yau Kung Mun's own traditions. The Institute goes on to say that Dragon diverged into Northern and Southern variants.

According to the Dragon teacher Steve Martin of the Sojourn Past Martial Arts Institute, Dragon style has roots in Hakka Kuen, a combination of the local styles of the Hakka heartland in inland eastern Guangdong with the style that the monk Gee Sim Sim See taught in Guangdong and the neighboring province of Fujian in the 1700s.

North of the Dongjiang in the northwest of Bóluó (博羅) County in the prefecture of Huizhou in Guangdong Province is the sacred mountain Luófúshān.[2] Luófúshān is the site of many temples, including Wa Sau Toi[3] where, c. 1900, a Chan (Zen) master named Tai Yuk[4] taught Dragon style to Lam Yiu-Kwai,[5] who in turn passed the art on to the many students of his schools in Guangzhou.

Because Lam Yiu-Kwai and Cheung Lai-Chuen were longtime training partners, Dragon style and Cheung's style of Bak Mei share many similarities.

Good friends from their youth in the Dongjiang region of Huizhou and later cousins by marriage, Lam and Cheung would open several schools together.

There may be other styles named after the dragon that other schools believe to be much older; however, the Dragon style of Lam Yiu-Kwai is the most widespread and best-known.

[edit] Techniques

[edit] Overview

The dragon stylist relies on a variety of fighting techniques that can be employed for a wide range of needs. The style uses techniques that can cripple or kill an opponent if the need arises or it can be used simply to control a minor street fighting situation.

[edit] Basics

The Dragon Kung Fu practitioner typically attacks with winding low yang; that is, powerful and quick movements. For example, when striking with the fist, more power can be exerted when the movement originates from the feet, is guided by the waist, flows through the body, and exits through the fist.

[edit] Foot Work

In both the Northern and Southern Dragon Style systems, leg work is characterized by a zig-zag motion that mimics the imagined movement of the mythical Chinese dragon. In the Southern style, smaller strides are emphasized to complement the system's short-range combat style. In the Northern system, the strides are greater, utilizing the strength of the legs to move in and out of the opponent's range of attack with speed and force. This also allows one to use floating and sinking movements which are very important in generating power and stability.

[edit] Southern Dragon Style Motto

"Control yourself, let others do what they will.

This does not mean you are weak.
Control your heart, obey the principles of life.
This does not mean others are stronger."

[edit] Codes of Southern Dragon Style

  • The seeds were first planted from Haufeng; the essence was gained later at Haushou
  • Restrain one's self and yield to others not because one is weak, but to uphold the ethical Tao and let the others have their claim.

[edit] Four Rules & Two Principles

  1. Focus to train and condition the body. One must not have any act of laziness.
  2. Be righteous and uphold your honor. One must not have any act of hypocrisy.
  3. Respect your parents, honor your teacher. One must not have any act of defiance.
  4. Treat others with honesty, treat your friends with loyalty. One must not have any act of arrogance.

[edit] Notes

  Chinese Pinyin Yale Cantonese  
^ Yau Gung Mun 柔功門 Róu Gōng Mén Yau4 Gung1 Mun4 House of Fiery Dragon Lion Dance
^ Luofushan 羅浮山 Luófúshān Lo4 fau4 saan1 Mount Luofu
^ Wa Sau Toi 華首台 Huāshǒutái Wa4 Sau2 Toi4
^ Tai Yuk 大玉禪師 Dà Yù Chán Shī Daai6 Yuk6 Sim3 Si1 literally "Tai Yuk, Chan (Zen) teacher"
^ Lam Yiu-Kwai 林耀桂 Lín Yàoguì Lam4 Yiu6 Gwai3

[edit] Dragon Style in Popular Culture

These are all examples of Northern Dragon Style - rather than the aforementioned Southern Dragon (Lung Ying).

[edit] External links

Southern Dragon Style Schools and Information

[edit] References

  • Chow, David; & Spangler, Richard (1982). Kung Fu: History, Philosophy and Technique. Burbank, CA: Unique Publications. ISBN 0-86568-011-6. 


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