What is Shi San Quan?
Shaolin Shi San Quan, as the name suggests, is a combination of thirteen basic punches, which originated from the Shaolin Temple and has a long history dating back to the Northern Wei Dynasty. According to legend, the founder of the Shaolin Temple, Master Dharma, while facing the wall for nine years to realize the Way, he also integrated Indian martial arts into the Chinese martial arts, creating the precedent of Shaolin martial arts. With the passage of time, successive generations of monks continued to study martial arts, combining combat experience with Buddhist wisdom, and gradually formed a unique Shaolin boxing system. The Shaolin Thirteen Fists is the foundation and essence of this system, which combines the concepts of strength, speed, flexibility, and internal and external cultivation, and has become a must for Shaolin disciples.
Shi San Quan Characteristics and Technique Analysis
Each of the Thirteen Shaolin Fist Techniques has its own unique style and characteristics. They are either very powerful, such as the “King Kong Pounding Pestle”, which demonstrates the masculinity of Shaolin Wushu, or flexible, such as the “White Crane Shining Wings”, which embodies the spirit of the martial art and the drift. These styles not only focus on the external punching and kicking, but also emphasize the inner breathing, guidance and coordination of all parts of the body, to achieve “internal and external unity, form and spirit” realm.
- Vajra pounding pestle: this boxing is known for its ferocity, through the concentrated outburst of the whole body’s strength, to hit the opponent with the fist or elbow, the momentum is like a bamboo, is a typical Shaolin boxing hard work show.
- White Crane Shining Wings: imitates the posture of a white crane spreading its wings and flying high, the movements are spacious and generous, focusing on the flexibility and coordination of the body, while containing clever changes in the transition between attack and defense.
- Green Dragon Out of the Water: The swift punch is like a green dragon out of the sea, unstoppable, emphasizing the perfect combination of speed and power.
- Luohan Pounding Bell: Using the body as a hammer, utilizing the rotating power of the waist, together with the strikes of the fists and feet, to form a powerful impact, is a powerful means in confrontation.
Riassumere
As the foundation and core of Shaolin Wushu, the inheritance and development of the Shaolin Thirteen Fists has always been highly valued. Within the Shaolin Temple, there is a strict succession system and training system to ensure that each generation of disciples is able to master the authentic boxing techniques. The Shaolin Thirteen Fists, as the basic techniques and foundations of Shaolin Kung Fu, is not only a treasure in the treasury of Chinese martial arts, but also a common cultural heritage of all mankind. It attracts the attention of countless martial arts enthusiasts with its unique charm and inspires the love and pursuit of martial arts. In the days to come, we have reason to believe that with the continuous inheritance and development of Shaolin Wushu, Shaolin Thirteen Fists, the cornerstone of martial arts, will blossom into a more brilliant light in a broader world.