Huaquan
Encyclopedia
Huaquan is a style of Long Fist Kung Fu (Changquan
) which is believed to have originated in the Former Song Dynasty (420-479 AD) around the Hua Shan (Hua Mountain) area of Shanxi
Province. There are written legends from the Kaiyuan reign (713-741 AD) of the Tang Dynasty
(618-906 AD) about a Mount Hua
knight named Cai Mao, who was famous for his prowess in combat and swordplay. Apparently Cai Mao had killed an enemy, a noble of the Chang'an family, and had to go into hiding deep within Hua Mountain to escape the family's wrath.
400 years later, Cai's descendants, Cai Tai and Cai Gang of Jining in Shandong
Province were reported using the Hua Quan style in public competetions. It is because of this historical record that many credit these 2 brothers with preserving Hua Quan as we know it today. However, it was Cai Wanzhi of Jining during the reign of Jaiqing during the Ming Dynasty
(1368-1644) who is credited with the finishing touches on Hua Quan by writing the book The Secrets of Huaquan; the "finishing touches" could just be that he wrote the book, nobody can say for sure. Cai Wanzhi had based the book on the traditional philosophy of combining the "three pure essences", or treasures, of Spirit (Shen),Inner Energy (Chi), and Ego (Jing, or essence). Therefore, this specific style of Kung Fu is sometimes referred to as "Kung Fu of Essence." It is also known as Glorious/Marvelous Boxing, China Fist, or "The Fist of Hua Mountain." (Hua, meaning Glorious, is also synonymous for the word China/Chinese). Hua Quan is considered to be one of the five major styles of Long Fist ("Chang Quan")Kung Fu. It may be important to note that due to its close pronunciation and translation, there is a different style of Hua Quan Kung Fu meaning "Flower Fist." ("Meihuaquan
").
Hua Quan is an old style with a vast repertoire of techniques and forms. It is a complete Kung Fu system unto itself. There are traditionally 48 sets to master in the system, including core forms, the roads, sparring sets, locking sets, weapons sets (both long and short weapons) and special training. As the style spread throughout the region, it became named after its place of origin- the Hua Shan area around Shanxi Province. The old saying was that if you knew the complete system of Hua Quan you could "go anywhere under heaven."
In both classical and contemporary works of literary fiction and cinema (most notably Wuxia
stories), Hua Quan is renowned for its legendary swordplay skill. Indeed, legend has it that there were traditionally two sects within the Hua Mountain monastaries, one being masters of Neidan
, aka Internal Alchemy, the other being sword masters. It is also known that Zhang San-feng, the Taoist sage and patriarch of Taijiquan studied at the monasteries of Hua Shan after his time at Shaolin
in Song Shan and before retiring to Wudang Shan. The lesser-known internal martial-art style of Liu He Ba Fa was also developed on Hua Shan by the Taoist sage Chen Tuan (871-989) during the Song Dynasty
(960-1280 AD.) It is important to note that the Hua Shan area played an important role for self-cultivation and Chinese Martial Arts
development.
Hua Quan is characterized by its smooth, well-connected movements. Its techniques are executed "like a fast burst of wind" and its stances are "as rooted as the pine tree" (from the "12 patterns" of hua quan.) Hua Quan practitioners breath deeply to spread air flows throughout the body, and the Hua Quan practicioner develops external/internal strength and energy for fighting, in particular cun jing (inch energy). Its footwork and hand technique are based on the Taoist philosophy of Yin and Yang
. Hua Quan is considered a Traditional Northern Kung Fu style, and is a perfect example of a "classical" long-arm style, although there is no shortage of mid-close range techniques. Hua Quan is also said to have the energies of 5 animals, although different from the "Shaolin 5 Animals" System. The energies of the Hua Quan 5 Animals is- Ape, Tiger, Dragon, Leopard, and Eagle.
Hua Quan's modern history begins with Grandmaster Cai Guigin, born in the year of 1877 during the Qing Dynasty
. As a boy Cai Guigin learned his families boxing from his grandfather, and later, after his grandfather's death, from Master Ding Yushan, another Hua Quan master. Cai Guigin stood out during his life as being acknowldged as the great Hua Quan grandmaster of his time. Beginning in the year 1897, Cai Guigin began to travel throughout China, specifically it's southern provinces, spreading his boxing techniques along the way, until he finally settled in Shanghai
in the 1920's.
In the present day, Hua Quan is one of the main constituents of the modern "Changquan" (longfist) routines in contemporary Wushu
in large part due to the efforts of one of the very few remaining present-day Hua Quan Grandmasters Cai Longyun (aka "the Big Dragon with the Magic Fists", son of Great Grandmaster Cai Guigin) when he wrote manuals on the 1st 4 roads and 2 of the sparring sets of the Hua Quan KungFu system (which are considered to be advanced, not beginner, forms), and collaborated with the Chinese Wushu Committee in the late 1950's in creating beginner, intermediate, and advanced Wushu basics and curriculums.
Much of Hua Quan has been lost, absorbed, or modified by other systems and masters throughout the centuries, making it a rare style. However, there are a handful of Hua masters through-out the world whose lineage can usually be traced back to Great Grandmaster Cai Guigin, the great Hua Quan grandmaster during the turn of the 20th century, and father of Grandmaster Cai Longyun.
Hua Quan is a historical style, a classic Kung Fu style which is beautiful in appearance and effective in combat. The old Hua Quan manual states "practice boxing as if a boat floating on water; running along smoothly for a thousand miles, avoiding the barbaric style of practising martial arts which leads to disorders of the body and mind."
Changquan
Chángquán refers to a family of external martial arts styles from northern China.The forms of the Long Fist style emphasize fully extended kicks and striking techniques, and by appearance would be considered a long-range fighting system...
) which is believed to have originated in the Former Song Dynasty (420-479 AD) around the Hua Shan (Hua Mountain) area of Shanxi
Shanxi
' is a province in Northern China. Its one-character abbreviation is "晋" , after the state of Jin that existed here during the Spring and Autumn Period....
Province. There are written legends from the Kaiyuan reign (713-741 AD) of the Tang Dynasty
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
(618-906 AD) about a Mount Hua
Mount Hua
Mount Hua or Hua Shan in Chinese is located in Shaanxi Province, about 120 kilometres east of the city of Xi'an, near the city Huayin in China. Also known as Xiyuè, Western Great Mountain, it is one of China's Five Sacred Taoist Mountains, and has a long history of religious significance...
knight named Cai Mao, who was famous for his prowess in combat and swordplay. Apparently Cai Mao had killed an enemy, a noble of the Chang'an family, and had to go into hiding deep within Hua Mountain to escape the family's wrath.
400 years later, Cai's descendants, Cai Tai and Cai Gang of Jining in Shandong
Shandong
' is a Province located on the eastern coast of the People's Republic of China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history from the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and served as a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese...
Province were reported using the Hua Quan style in public competetions. It is because of this historical record that many credit these 2 brothers with preserving Hua Quan as we know it today. However, it was Cai Wanzhi of Jining during the reign of Jaiqing during the Ming Dynasty
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
(1368-1644) who is credited with the finishing touches on Hua Quan by writing the book The Secrets of Huaquan; the "finishing touches" could just be that he wrote the book, nobody can say for sure. Cai Wanzhi had based the book on the traditional philosophy of combining the "three pure essences", or treasures, of Spirit (Shen),Inner Energy (Chi), and Ego (Jing, or essence). Therefore, this specific style of Kung Fu is sometimes referred to as "Kung Fu of Essence." It is also known as Glorious/Marvelous Boxing, China Fist, or "The Fist of Hua Mountain." (Hua, meaning Glorious, is also synonymous for the word China/Chinese). Hua Quan is considered to be one of the five major styles of Long Fist ("Chang Quan")Kung Fu. It may be important to note that due to its close pronunciation and translation, there is a different style of Hua Quan Kung Fu meaning "Flower Fist." ("Meihuaquan
Meihuaquan
Meihua Quan is a very common name in kung fu:*1)a style of kung fu that originated in the northern provinces of China centuries ago...
").
Hua Quan is an old style with a vast repertoire of techniques and forms. It is a complete Kung Fu system unto itself. There are traditionally 48 sets to master in the system, including core forms, the roads, sparring sets, locking sets, weapons sets (both long and short weapons) and special training. As the style spread throughout the region, it became named after its place of origin- the Hua Shan area around Shanxi Province. The old saying was that if you knew the complete system of Hua Quan you could "go anywhere under heaven."
In both classical and contemporary works of literary fiction and cinema (most notably Wuxia
Wuxia
Wuxia is a broad genre of Chinese fiction concerning the adventures of martial artists. Although wuxia is traditionally a form of literature, its popularity has caused it to spread to diverse art forms like Chinese opera, manhua , films, television series, and video games...
stories), Hua Quan is renowned for its legendary swordplay skill. Indeed, legend has it that there were traditionally two sects within the Hua Mountain monastaries, one being masters of Neidan
Neidan
Neidan, or internal alchemy, spiritual alchemy is a concept in Taoist Chinese alchemy. It is a series of physical, mental, and spiritual disciplines intended to prolong the life of the body and create an immortal spiritual body that would survive after death.In Neidan the human body becomes a...
, aka Internal Alchemy, the other being sword masters. It is also known that Zhang San-feng, the Taoist sage and patriarch of Taijiquan studied at the monasteries of Hua Shan after his time at Shaolin
Shaolin
The shào in "Shaolin" refers to "Mount Shaoshi", a mountain in the Songshan mountain range and lín means "forest". With sì , the name literally means "monastery/temple in the woods of Mount Shaoshi"....
in Song Shan and before retiring to Wudang Shan. The lesser-known internal martial-art style of Liu He Ba Fa was also developed on Hua Shan by the Taoist sage Chen Tuan (871-989) during the Song Dynasty
Song Dynasty
The Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...
(960-1280 AD.) It is important to note that the Hua Shan area played an important role for self-cultivation and Chinese Martial Arts
Chinese martial arts
Chinese martial arts, also referred to by the Mandarin Chinese term wushu and popularly as kung fu , are a number of fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in China. These fighting styles are often classified according to common traits, identified as "families" , "sects" or...
development.
Hua Quan is characterized by its smooth, well-connected movements. Its techniques are executed "like a fast burst of wind" and its stances are "as rooted as the pine tree" (from the "12 patterns" of hua quan.) Hua Quan practitioners breath deeply to spread air flows throughout the body, and the Hua Quan practicioner develops external/internal strength and energy for fighting, in particular cun jing (inch energy). Its footwork and hand technique are based on the Taoist philosophy of Yin and Yang
Yin and yang
In Asian philosophy, the concept of yin yang , which is often referred to in the West as "yin and yang", is used to describe how polar opposites or seemingly contrary forces are interconnected and interdependent in the natural world, and how they give rise to each other in turn. Opposites thus only...
. Hua Quan is considered a Traditional Northern Kung Fu style, and is a perfect example of a "classical" long-arm style, although there is no shortage of mid-close range techniques. Hua Quan is also said to have the energies of 5 animals, although different from the "Shaolin 5 Animals" System. The energies of the Hua Quan 5 Animals is- Ape, Tiger, Dragon, Leopard, and Eagle.
Hua Quan's modern history begins with Grandmaster Cai Guigin, born in the year of 1877 during the Qing Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
. As a boy Cai Guigin learned his families boxing from his grandfather, and later, after his grandfather's death, from Master Ding Yushan, another Hua Quan master. Cai Guigin stood out during his life as being acknowldged as the great Hua Quan grandmaster of his time. Beginning in the year 1897, Cai Guigin began to travel throughout China, specifically it's southern provinces, spreading his boxing techniques along the way, until he finally settled in Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
in the 1920's.
In the present day, Hua Quan is one of the main constituents of the modern "Changquan" (longfist) routines in contemporary Wushu
Wushu (sport)
The sport of wushu is both an exhibition and a full-contact sport derived from traditional Chinese martial arts. It was created in the People's Republic of China after 1949, in an attempt to nationalize the practice of traditional Chinese martial arts...
in large part due to the efforts of one of the very few remaining present-day Hua Quan Grandmasters Cai Longyun (aka "the Big Dragon with the Magic Fists", son of Great Grandmaster Cai Guigin) when he wrote manuals on the 1st 4 roads and 2 of the sparring sets of the Hua Quan KungFu system (which are considered to be advanced, not beginner, forms), and collaborated with the Chinese Wushu Committee in the late 1950's in creating beginner, intermediate, and advanced Wushu basics and curriculums.
Much of Hua Quan has been lost, absorbed, or modified by other systems and masters throughout the centuries, making it a rare style. However, there are a handful of Hua masters through-out the world whose lineage can usually be traced back to Great Grandmaster Cai Guigin, the great Hua Quan grandmaster during the turn of the 20th century, and father of Grandmaster Cai Longyun.
Hua Quan is a historical style, a classic Kung Fu style which is beautiful in appearance and effective in combat. The old Hua Quan manual states "practice boxing as if a boat floating on water; running along smoothly for a thousand miles, avoiding the barbaric style of practising martial arts which leads to disorders of the body and mind."