The History of Wing Chun

The legend of Wing Chun begins in the Qing dynasty with the Siu Lam (Shaolin) Temple. The Siu Lam Temple offered not only religious sanctuary but also a safe house from military hunting for anti-Qing revolutionaries. It was only a matter of time, however, before the Manchurians made the decision to eradicate this soure of rebellious activity. With the treacherous aid of Siu Lam insiders such as Ma Ning-Yee, the Qing troops laid seige to the temple from without, while the temple was burned from within. Siu Lam was laid to waste. Out of the conflagration, the ng jo (five elders) of Siu Lam fled and went to hiding. The five elders consisted of Jee Shim Sim Si (Jee Shim, Chan Buddist Teacher), Fung Dao-Duk, Miu Hin, Bak Mei Dao Yan (White Eyebrows, Taoist), and Ng Mui Si Tai (Five Plums, Nun). Ng Mui (Wu Mei) fled to Bak Hok Jee (Baihesi or White Crane Temple) on the slopes of Daliang Mountains. There, on the border of Sichuan and Yunnan province, legend states Ng Mui witness a fight between a crane and a snake. Inspried by the encounters, she combined the animals' movements with her own Siu Lam boxing and createdthe principles of a new, as yet unnamed, martial art.

Ng Mui and Yim Wing-Chun

Since the art was intended only for those loyal to the Ming throne, it was taught in secrecy and to just a few carefully selected students. Ng Mui eventually took on a female discipe, Yim Wing Chun and taught her unnamed system. Yim was known for her beauty and cunning and was desired by a local ruffian who tried to force her into marriage. Using the art taught to her by Ng Mui, Wing Chun challenged and defeated her unwelcome suiter, driving him from area and firmly establishing her reputation as a fighter.

Yim Wing-Chun

Yim Wing-Chun later married her betrothed; a salt merchant named Leung Bok-Chao. Yim passed the martial art of Ng Mui on to her husband, who named it Wing Chun kuen in her honor. From Leung Bok-Chao the style passed on to Hung Suen ( Red boat) Opera member, Leung Lan-Kwai (although some legends state that Leung was a weathy scholar or Chinese herbalist). Leung Lan-Kwai passed the art to Wong Wah-Bo and Leung Yee-Tai, also of the Red Boat Opera.

Legends hold that Leung Yee-Tai was a poler for Chinese Opera troop, whose job it was steer the boat away rocks or shallow water by pushing off with a long pole. On the boat, Leung befriended a cook who was really Jee Shim, the former abbot of the Siu Lam temple in hidding. Jee Shim decided to teach Leung the famous six-and-a-half point pole set and it applications. Leung soon mastered the techniques and later he met another martial artist named Wong Wah-Bo, a master of Wing Chun. They became close friends and discussed the principles of their martial arts. The two decided to trade and share their knowledge. After much refinement, the six-and-a-half point pole was incorporated into the Wing Chun curriculum.

Both Wong Wah-Bo and Leung Yee-Tai taught the notable Dr.Leung Jan, of Foshan who brought the fame to Wing Chun through his exploits, many of which have since been romanticized into stories and movies.

Leung Jan and Wong Wah-Bo in film

Dr. Leung Jan, a noted local herbalist, wasknown both as Jan Sin-San (Mr. Jan) for his professional and gentle nature and also as Wing Chun Wong ( King of Wing Chun) for his fighting prowess and fierce reputation in challenge matches. Leung Jan taught at his store Jan Sang Tong (Mr. Jan's Hall) on Fai Jee street in Foshan and had a number of students, among them his own sons Leung Chun ang Leung Bik, and his disciple, Chan Wah-Sun and then, Chan Wah-Sun taught Wing Chun Yip Man, his final disciple.

Robert Chu, René Ritchie and Y. Wu

Compelete Wing Chun: The Definitive Guide for Wing Chun History and Traditions

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