While numerous styles of martial art claim origins in the prestigious training grounds of the Shaolin temple, including arts that have spread as far as Okinawa and Japan and which are essentially non-Chinese in character, one art that does appear to be able to legitimately claim such an honor is Hung Ga. Hung Ga is said to have been developed in the second Shaolin temple, or the Fukien Shaolin temple. The first temple has been attacked several times by government troops owing to suspicions of anti-government behavior before being finally moved southward).
Hung Ga kung fu was founded by Hung Hei Gune (Hung Hei-Gun) who learned from Jee Sin, a Shaolin monk instrumental in teaching the founders of other external arts including Choy Gar, Mok Gar, Li Gar and Lau Gar. Hung Hei Gune seems to have been as assumed name owing its selection to the character 'Hung' which comprised part of the name of the Emperor that overthrew the Mongols. Thus it was a popular choice to rally anti-Manchu / Qing sentiment
The art has grown to be one of the most popular styles of kung fu around the world, helped by its most famous student, the legendary Wong Fei Hong, whose adventures have been dramatized in over one hundred movies (such as Jet Li’s Once Upon a Time in China). It is normally labeled an external art (as opposed to internal Chinese arts such as Tai Chi), and promotes muscular strength and physical force in the execution of techniques combined with correct breath control to generate further force. Such strength is developed by body conditioning, maintaining low stances that put enormous strain on leg muscles and by placing heavy iron rings around the wrists of a practitioner. The arms are then held out or basic thrusting techniques or forms are performed. Placed around the extremity of the wrist, the athlete can quickly tire but with patience and repetitive practice a great deal of tensile strength is developed.
The movements of Hung Ga as seen in the more famous Wong Fei Hong lineage, simulate the attacks and postures of animals, the dragon, snake, tiger, leopard and the crane (the famous Five Animals that are often represented in Chinese kung fu). These attitudes are further reflected in the psychology or ‘fighting spirit’ of the Hung Gar expert. The tiger, for example, is aggressive and dangerous, while the crane is aloof and disarming. There is also the Five Elements forms of Earth, Water, Fire, Metal and Wood. Other branches of Hung Kuen are varied in syllabus and approach but all pay attention to deep, strong stances and generating power from the stance.
In combat, the Hung Ga master is comfortable using powerful striking techniques at any range. When he has closed with his opponent he resorts to locks and sweeps to win victory.
