Fujian White Crane
Fujian White Crane, also known as White Crane Style (Chinese: 白鶴拳) is a Southern Chinese martial art that originated in Yongchun County, Fujian (福建) province. According to oral tradition, the style was developed by Fang Qiniang (方七娘; Amoy Min Nan: Hng Chhit-niâ), a female martial artist. It is associated with traditional fighting techniques, including long range, but is most similar to close-quarter or hand-to-hand combat. It is most recognizable by the way the fighter imitates a bird's pecking or flapping of wings. While some white crane styles make use of traditional weapons, others have discontinued the use of weaponry.
Also known as | Pe̍h-ho̍h-kûn |
---|---|
Focus | Striking / Grappling |
Country of origin | China |
Creator | Fāng Qīnián |
Famous practitioners | Lǐ Wénmào Chen Zuozhen Huang Laoyang Hoi Wah Ho |
Parenthood | Ming-era Nanquan |
Descendant arts |
Fujian White Crane | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Traditional Chinese | 白鶴拳 | ||||||||||||
Simplified Chinese | 白鹤拳 | ||||||||||||
Literal meaning | white crane fist | ||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
Alternative Chinese name | |||||||||||||
Chinese | 永春白鶴拳 | ||||||||||||
Literal meaning | eternal spring white crane fist | ||||||||||||
|
Fujian White Crane | |
---|---|
Mandarin: | Bái Hè Quán |
Amoy Min Nan: | Pe̍h-ho̍h-kûn |
Literally | "white crane fist" |
Fujian White Crane descends in part from Shaolin Boxing and imitates characteristics of the white crane. This system is separate though related to Lohan Quan (Fujian Shaolin). The entire system of fighting was developed from observing the crane's movements, methods of attack and spirit, and may have evolved from the southern Shaolin animal styles.
There is no singular Fujian White Crane system. Multiple branches are collectively referred to as Fujian White Crane, including Sleeping, Crying, Eating, Flying and Shaking Crane styles based on imitative characteristics of their techniques. This group does not include Tibetan White Crane, which developed independently in western and southern China.
Part of a series on |
Chinese martial arts (Wushu) |
---|
|