People in China use many ways to fight.
Some styles use hands. Some use long sticks.
Some people move like animals. They can act like a tiger or a bird. It takes much work to learn. Do you want to try moving like an animal?
People in China use many ways to fight.
Some styles use hands. Some use long sticks.
Some people move like animals. They can act like a tiger or a bird. This takes much work to learn. Some styles focus on muscles. Other styles focus on the body's energy. People also use tools like a staff.
It is a skill that people practice for a long time. Do you want to learn a new skill?
Chinese martial arts are many ways of fighting.
People use different names for them. Some call them kung fu. This term means any skill learned through hard work. Others use the word wushu. This means "martial art."
These arts have a very long history. Legends say they began over 4,000 years ago. Some styles come from the Shaolin temple. Monks there became famous for using a long staff.
Other styles mimic animals. A person might move like a tiger, a deer, or a monkey.
There are many ways to group these styles. Some are called "internal" styles. These focus on the body's energy, or qi. Other styles are "external." These focus on building strong muscles. You can also group them by where they come from. Some are from the north. Others are from the south. Today, wushu is also a modern sport. People compete in matches using hands or weapons.
It is a way to show skill and strength.
Chinese martial arts are many different ways of fighting and moving.
People use several names for these traditions. Many people call them kung fu. In Chinese, kung fu means any skill earned through hard work and practice. Others use the word wushu, which literally means "martial art."
There is also a term called quanfa. This means "fist method" or "the law of the fist." These arts are very important to Chinese culture. They show how people can use discipline to master their bodies.
There are many ways to group these different fighting styles. Some styles are called "internal" styles. These focus on managing qi, which is the body's energy. Other styles are called "external" styles. These focus on building strong muscles and heart fitness. You can also group them by where they are from. Some styles are from the north of China. Other styles come from the south.
Some people even learn styles that mimic animals. A person might practice moves that look like a tiger, a deer, a monkey, a bear, or a bird.
The history of these arts goes back a very long time. Legends say they began over 4,000 years ago. People say the Yellow Emperor introduced the first systems. He was a great leader who lived around 2698 BC. Early history shows that combat was used for hunting and defense. The Spring and Autumn Annals from the 5th century BC mention fighting techniques.
By the Qin dynasty, wrestling became a sport. Different eras, like the Tang and Song dynasties, added more styles and dances.
One of the most famous places for martial arts is the Shaolin temple. The first Shaolin temple was built in 495 AD on Song Mountain.
Monks at this temple became very famous for their skills. They were known for using a long staff called a gun. In the 1600s, a book described these staff techniques. Many of these old ways became popular again in the 20th century. During the Republican period from 1912 to 1949, many people began teaching these arts openly. This helped the styles spread to the whole public.
Today, Chinese martial arts are known all over the world. Wushu has even become a modern sport. Since 1949, people in China have developed wushu as a way to compete. Athletes perform beautiful forms using their hands or weapons. They are judged on how well they follow certain rules.
This modern sport connects old traditions to new ways of playing. It allows people to show their skill and strength in a fair match. Whether through sport or tradition, these arts remain a proud part of history.
Chinese martial arts consist of many different fighting styles developed over many centuries in Greater China. These traditions are often grouped into "families" based on shared traits. Some styles focus on physical exercises like the Five Animals, which mimic the movements of a tiger, deer, monkey, bear, or bird. Other classifications depend on the focus of the training. "Internal" styles, or neijia, focus on the manipulation of qi, which is the body's energy. "External" styles, or waijia, concentrate on improving muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness.
You might also hear styles described by their geography, such as northern or southern styles.
Understanding the names used for these arts is important for knowing their meaning. Many people use the term kung fu, which is a loanword from Cantonese. In Chinese, kung fu refers to any skill acquired through intense practice or learning. It combines the words gōng, meaning achievement or merit, and fū, which indicates a person who has attained discipline through effort. Another common term is wushu, a Mandarin word that literally means "martial art." This is formed from the characters for "martial" and "art" or "method."
There is also the term quanfa, which means "fist method" or "the law of the fist."
The origins of these arts are found in both legend and early history. Legend says the arts began over 4,000 years ago during the time of the Yellow Emperor. He was a leader who lived around 2698 BC and was known for writing about medicine and martial arts. One of his rivals, Chi You, is credited with creating jiao di, an early form of Chinese wrestling. Historical records provide more concrete details. The Spring and Autumn Annals from the 5th century BC mention combat theories involving "hard" and "soft" techniques. By the Qin dynasty, between 221 and 207 BC, wrestling became a recognized sport.
Philosophical ideas have deeply shaped how these martial arts are practiced. Taoist texts like the Zhuangzi and the Tao Te Ching contain principles that apply to martial movement. Some styles, such as the "Eight Immortals," use techniques inspired by specific Taoist figures. Confucianism also played a role, as archery and charioteering were considered part of the "six arts" during the Zhou dynasty. Even the famous military text "The Art of War," written by Sun Tzu in the 6th century BC, contains ideas used in these fighting systems. These philosophies help practitioners connect physical movement with mental and spiritual discipline.
The Shaolin temple is one of the most famous centers for martial arts history. The first temple was built on Song Mountain in 495 AD. Early monks like Sengchou were known for their incredible skills with a tin staff. Shaolin monks became very famous for their use of the staff, known as a gùn.
Historical records from 728 AD show that the monks defended the monastery against bandits. By the 16th and 17th centuries, martial practice became an essential part of monastic life. The Ming general Qi Jiguang even wrote about Shaolin staff techniques in his book, Jixiao Xinshu.
In the 20th century, Chinese martial arts underwent dramatic changes. During the Republican period from 1912 to 1949, many styles became popular with the general public. Martial artists began teaching openly to promote national pride and build a strong nation. Organizations like the Central Guoshu Academy were established in 1928 to provide systematic training. The term kuoshu, meaning "national art," was used to connect these skills to the identity of the country. In 1936, Chinese martial artists demonstrated their skills to an international audience at the 11th Olympic Games in Berlin.
Today, wushu has evolved into a modern exhibition and full-contact sport. Since 1949, the People's Republic of China has organized wushu into a sport with specific rules. Athletes perform bare-handed forms or weapon forms that are judged on aesthetic criteria. This allows competitors to earn points based on the beauty and precision of their movements.
This modern version of the art connects ancient combat traditions with contemporary athletic competition. Whether practiced as a traditional way of life or a modern sport, these arts continue to be a significant part of global culture.
Where will your curiosity go next?
🖼️ Images & Media (9)
More to explore
✨ What else?
Related topics you might enjoy
🪜 Step back
Simpler topics to build understanding
What is Nepedia?
A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.