Chinese Martial Arts
3 min readHistory
Ancient Chinese martial arts（or Wushu in Chinese）are different from modern ones.The ancient martial arts were developed for military use.Not until after the Spring and Autumn Period did martial arts begin to incorporate sophisticated aspects of ancient Chinese culture.
The precise origin of martial arts is too remote to identify.When the Qin Dynasty conquered contending states and united China，the ruler ordered all weapons be put in storage.
Discouraged by the Qin government，Chinese martial arts developed very little during this period.
Martial art development picked up during the Han Dynasty，a period noted for its advanced political，economic and cultural development.During the Western and Eastern Jin and Northern and Southern Dynasties，warfare was rampant.Minority ethnic groups such as the Huns，Xianbei，Jie，Diand Qiang from northern China were constantly invading the Central Plains.The battlefield provided a good environment for the development of martial arts.
The Suiand Tang Dynasties were politically stable and economically strong and flourished with foreign trade and cultural exchanges.This period saw modifications of martial arts and improvement in the appearance of demonstrative exercises.The prevailing imperial examination system of the Tang Dynasty was also adapted for the selection of martial arts champions.Soldiers with outstanding martial arts skills were honored with commendation and titles.Martial arts were encouraged and promoted among ordinary people.
By the Song Dynasty，martial arts had become an art separate from military drills.Routine and apparatus exercises developed quickly，and many theoretical works were published.
Practitioners studied both fighting skills and theory and introduced the theory of“yin”and“yang”into martial arts.
During the Yuan Dynasty，the Mongol ruling class and soldiers practiced martial arts as well as horse riding，and wrestling.There martial arts skills were performed on stage and were gradually more artfully refined.
During the Ming Dynasty，different martial arts schools flourished.The Qing Dynasty outperformed the previous dynasties in developing martial arts skills.Many exercises that are still famous today，such as Taijiquan（Taiji Boxing）and Baguazhang（Eight-Trigram Palm Exercise），were created during the period.
Characteristics
Literally, wu means military while shu means art, thus Wushu the art of fighting or martial arts. Wushu is an important and unique component of Chinese cultural heritage with centuries of cultural history attached. Wushu not only includes physical exercise but also Chinese philosophy, and aesthetics.
With vigorous, graceful and somewhat laborious movements, Chinese martial arts provide the exercisers with beauty and strength. The persistent exercises will build up their body and strength. Martial arts involve methods and skills for fighting. They incorporate highly practical consecutive movements including jumping, faling, passing through, somersaulting, retreating, shaking, turning, kicking, hitting, wrestling, seizing, etc.
The consecutive movements should be done in close sequences so as to overcome the movements of the opponent. Any slight neglect in the gestures of hands, legs and body and in the timing will result in favoring the opponent. So, the Chinese martial arts emphasize the gestures and timing.
To attain the true essence, the Chinese martial arts stress guidance by masters, and conscientious practice. The exerciser should practice diligently until he can carry out the movements unhesitatingly and very naturally.
The Chinese martial arts stress perfection. From the angle of the art of attack and defense, there are three grades of martial arts: the inferior-grade exerciser does not master the arts at all; the middle-grade exerciser is skilled in the art, and concentrates his attentions in fighting; the senior-grade exerciser has a high degree of dexterity and carries out his movements very naturally to beat the opponent. His arts attain perfection.
