SHAOLIN
ANIMALS
Five Animal Kung Fu
THE FIVE ANIMAL STYLE
Of the many great styles of Kung Fu to emerge from Shaolin, animal style is perhaps the most famous.
Monks in the temple observed the movements and characteristics of animals, and incorporated these themes into techniques. Most famous of Shaolin animals are Dragon, Tiger, Leopard, Snake and Crane.
These techniques are not only based on the obvious overt aspects of each animal, such as the ferocious gripping and tearing of the Tiger Claw but also on the spirit of each animal. For example the Crane is elegant and precise, whereas Leopard is fast and agile.
Hung Kuen makes particular use of this style, and 5 animal forms feature heavily in our theory & practice.
Of the many great styles of Kung Fu to emerge from Shaolin, animal style is perhaps the most famous.
Monks in the temple observed the movements and characteristics of animals, and incorporated these themes into techniques. Most famous of Shaolin animals are Dragon, Tiger, Leopard, Snake and Crane.
These techniques are not only based on the obvious overt aspects of each animal, such as the ferocious gripping and tearing of the Tiger Claw but also on the spirit of each animal. For example the Crane is elegant and precise, whereas Leopard is fast and agile.
Hung Kuen makes particular use of this style, and 5 animal forms feature heavily in our theory & practice.
SHAOLIN
ANIMALS
The Five Shaolin Animals
Five Shaolin Animals
THE FIVE KUNG FU ANIMALS
The five animals of Hung Kuen are :
- Dragon
- Tiger
- Leopard
- Snake
- Crane
The movements and reactions of these animals influenced the early practitioners of Shaolin Kung Fu who incorporated the motions and strategies of the animals into what would become Hung Kuen kung fu.
Read on to discover more about the attributes of each animal style within Hung Kuen
The five animals of Hung Kuen are:
- Dragon
- Tiger
- Leopard
- Snake
- Crane
The movements and reactions of these animals influenced the early practitioners of Shaolin Kung Fu who incorporated the motions and strategies of the animals into what would become Hung Kuen kung fu.
Read on to discover more about the attributes of each animal style within Hung Kuen
Leopard
Leopard’s strength is its speed.
An external style, utilising fast whip like strikes and quick and confident footwork.
Crane
Crane is graceful and elegant.
Internal force is used for precision striking. Many crane techniques are executed standing on one leg.
Tiger
Tiger is external.
A tiger knows only one thing, attack. Its movements are hard and direct, often using tiger claw. Tiger develops bone strength.
Snake
Snake is internal.
Utilising precision attacks to the vital points and sliding blocking movements. Snake also helps to develop chi.
Dragon
Dragon is both internal & external.
The striking of the dragon is both hard and soft. Circular movements feature heavily, dragon claw is also used.
Tiger is external.
A tiger knows only one thing: Attack.
Its movements are hard and direct, often using tiger claw.
Tiger develops bone strength & power.
Dragon is both internal & external.
The striking of the dragon is both hard & soft
Circular movements feature heavily in this style.
Dragon claw fist is also used.
Leopard's strength is it's speed.
An external style, utilising fast whip-like strikes and confident footwork.
Crane is graceful & elegant
Internal force is used for precision striking.
Many crane techniques are executed standing on one leg.
Snake is internal.
Utilising precision attacks to the vital points and sliding blocking movements.
Snake also helps to develop chi.