Martial arts

Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat.

These organized practices serve many different purposes in society. Some people train for self-defense or street fighting. Others use them for military service or law enforcement. Many people engage in martial arts for non-violent exercise or competition. These traditions can also be used for ceremonial purposes or entertainment. For many, the arts are vital for physical, mental, and spiritual development. They also help nations preserve their intangible cultural heritage.

Techniques in martial arts are categorized by how they are applied. Unarmed martial arts are often grouped by their specific technical focus. Striking arts focus on movements like punching and kicking. Examples of striking include Boxing, Wing Chun, and Muay Thai. Kicking-focused arts include Taekwondo, Capoeira, and Karate. Some arts use elbow or knee strikes, such as Bokator and Lethwei. Grappling arts focus on controlling an opponent through different methods. Throwing techniques are used in Judo, Sumo, and Wrestling. Submission holds, like joint locks or chokes, are found in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Aikido. Some styles also include pinning or clinch fighting.

Armed martial arts involve the use of various melee weapons. These can include bladed weapons or long polearms. Traditions like eskrima, silat, and Kalaripayattu use these tools. In some Japanese traditions, a single weapon defines the art. For example, kenjutsu focuses on the sword, while kyūdō focuses on archery. Some modern versions include fencing or stick-fighting systems like canne de combat. Practitioners may also use practical shooting in modern contexts. These arts require high levels of coordination and specialized skill.

Many traditions emphasize the spiritual side of training. In Japan, these arts are often called "budo." The suffix "-do" translates to "way" or "path." This implies the art is a way to achieve a spiritually fulfilling life. Korean martial arts, such as Taekkyon and Hapkido, also focus on spiritual growth. They often emphasize achieving "inner peace" through meditation and training. Korean practitioners believe physical force is only justified for self-defense. In Iran, the Persian art of varzesh-e pahlavāni is known as "heroic sport." This system was originally used to train warriors during the Safavid era.

Human combat history reaches back to the very early eras of humanity. Cave paintings in eastern Spain date to between 10,000 and 6,000 BCE. These paintings show organized groups fighting with bows and arrows. Wrestling is considered the oldest combat sport. Depictions of belt wrestling appear in Mesopotamian and Ancient Egyptian art. The earliest known boxing relief is a Sumerian work from the 3rd millennium BC.

In Ancient Greece, boxing, wrestling, and pankration were part of the Olympic Games. The Romans also used gladiatorial combat as a public spectacle.

As time passed, martial arts became more documented and structured. During the 12th century, Japanese martial arts grew with the samurai nobility. In the 14th century, European manuals recorded longsword techniques. The Ming era in China saw the rise of martial arts treatises. In 1598, the Korean text Muyejebo was published. Modern versions of many arts began to emerge in the 19th century. For example, modern boxing follows the Rules of the Marquess of Queensberry from 1867. Fencing also became a modern sport through military academies. The Féderation Internationale d'Escrime was founded in 1913 to set international rules.

Modern martial arts transitioned into global sports during the late 1800s and early 1900s. In 1882, Kano Jigoro established the Kodokan School to start modern judo. He studied older forms of jujutsu to create this new system. In China, the Central Guoshu Institute was founded in 1928. Western interest in Asian martial arts grew due to increased trade with China and Japan. The 1960s and 1970s saw a massive surge in popularity through film. Martial artists like Bruce Lee became famous worldwide during this "chopsocky" wave.

Today, these arts continue to evolve through hybrid styles and global competition.