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In its original meaning, kung fu can refer to any discipline or skill achieved through hard work and practice, not necessarily martial arts (for example, the discipline of tea making is called the gongfu tea ceremony). The literal equivalent of "Chinese martial art" in Mandarin would be 中國武術 zhōngguó wǔshù. [1]
Kung fu and wushu are loanwords from Cantonese and Mandarin respectively that, in English, are used to refer to Chinese martial arts. However, the Chinese terms kung fu and wushu (listen (Mandarin) ⓘ; Cantonese Yale: móuh seuht) have distinct meanings. [1]
With roots in Chinese medicine, philosophy, and martial arts, qigong is traditionally viewed by the Chinese and throughout Asia as a practice to cultivate and balance the mystical life-force qi. [4] Qigong practice typically involves moving meditation, coordinating slow-flowing movement, deep rhythmic breathing, and a calm meditative state of mind.
Wushu (traditional Chinese: 武術; simplified Chinese: 武术; pinyin: wǔshù) (/ ˌ w uː ˈ ʃ uː /), or kung fu, is a competitive Chinese martial art.It integrates concepts and forms from various traditional and modern Chinese martial arts, including Shaolin kung fu, tai chi, and Wudangquan. [1] "
In Chinese martial arts, there are fighting styles that are modeled after animals. In Southern styles, especially those associated with Guangdong and Fujian provinces, there are five traditional animal styles known as Ng Ying Kung Fu (Chinese: 五形功夫) Chinese: 五形; pinyin: wǔ xíng; lit.
Chinese martial arts can also be identified by the regional landmarks, province, city or even village. Generally, this identification indicates the region of origin but could also describe the place where the style has established a reputation. Well-known landmarks used to characterize Chinese martial arts include the famous mountains of China.
In Chinese folklore there is a saying, "Shaolin kung fu is the best under heaven," which indicates its superiority among martial arts, and "All martial arts under heaven originated from Shaolin," which indicates its influence on other martial arts.
Hung Ga Kuen or Hongjiaquan (Chinese: 洪家拳, meaning "fist of the Hung family") - alternatively shortened as either Hung Ga (洪家) or Hung Kuen (洪拳) - is an ancient southern Chinese martial art, which roots lie in the Northern Shaolin kung fu.