KUNG FU: A BRIEF HISTORY

Write a brief history on Kung Fu. kung fu, (Chinese [Wade-Giles romanization]: “skill” ) , Pinyin gongfu, a martial art, both a form of exercise with a spiritual dimension stemming from concentration and self-discipline and a primarily unarmed mode of personal combat often equated with karate or tae kwon do. Chinese Kungfu is one of the earliest and longest lasting sports which utilize both brawn and brain. Over its long history it has developed as a unique combination of exercise, practical self-defense, self-discipline and art. It is estimated that Chinese Kungfu can be dated back to primeval society. At that time people use cudgels to fight against wild beasts. Gradually they accumulated experience of self defense. When Shang Dynasty (1600BC – 1046 BC) began, hunting was considered as an important measure of Kungfu training. During Shang and Zhou Dynasties (17th Century BC- 221 BC), martial arts evolved to be a kind of dancing. Usually the dancing of martial arts is utilized to train soldiers and inspire their morale. At the same time, the skill and technology of sword forging as well as sword ceremony achieved rapid development. In Qin (221 BC – 207 BC) and Han (202 BC – 220 AD) Dynasties, wrestling, swordplay, and martial arts dancing were very popular. The application of spear play in Han Dynasty reached its summit along with the appearance of many other techniques of spear usage. It is said the Five-animal-style exercise was another innovation by Hua Tuo (a well-known ancient Chinese physician) on the development of Chinese martial arts.