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Xingyi Quan |
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Form and Meaning Boxing
Founded by Ji Jike (1602-1683 a.k.a. Ji Longfeng) of Zuncun
Village, Yongji County, Shanxi Province, in the 17th century. Xingyi
uses the mind over all to control the movements of the body. Power
is generated from the waist (Dan Tien, a point roughly three finger
widths below the navel.) and extended out to the hand. The fists
reflect the five elements of traditional Chinese culture, which
differ from the concept of the elements expounded by Aristotle.
The five: earth, metal, water, wood, and fire constantly change
as one is consumed by another or one generates the next. This philosophy
is very popular in Chinese culture and is often reflected in wushu
with many movements being described by elements. In Xingyi the five
fists are Pounding (earth), Splitting (metal), Drilling (water),
Crashing (wood) and Exploding (fire). These fists are practised
over and over again untill internal energy easily fills the movements.
As well as the fists there are the 12 Animals. These are basic exercises
imitating the character of Tiger, Eagle, Snake, Dragon, Horse, Bear,
Swallow, Hawk, Monkey, Chicken, Tai bird, and Waterskimmer. |
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These movements are incorporated into forms. The nature
of the art is outright offense, to open an opponent and move into
this space using the five fists with vigor and ferocity.
Xingyi, at present, is not a well known boxing style in the west,
but slowly as more people learn of other wushu through Taiji and
Qigong its' appeal may be realised.
Shifu Wen learned this art from
both Master Sha Guo-zheng and Master He Fu-sheng.
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