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Thread: Kung Fu Salute

  1. #1

    Kung Fu Salute

    Help me out, and apologies if this has been discussed before.

    You know the traditional palm to fist salute common to many CMA?

    What explanation have you for it's origins please?
    I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.

    J.R.R. Tolkien

    Originally posted by SifuAbel
    OMG, some body got a DNA sample from the burnt carcass of the last dead horse, separated the live cells, cloned another horse, watched it grow, let it come to maturity and then
    PROCEEDED TO BEAT IT TO DEATH , AGAIN!!!!!!!!!

  2. #2
    isnt it supposed to represent a fist being covered, as in you mean no harm to the person? Or something like that.
    "If there is no grand plan; if there is no big picture; if nothing we do matters, then all that matters is what we do."

  3. #3
    That's one version I've heard. Also that it's a representation of yin and yang. I've also heard an explanation that has it as a stylised block and strike.

    I've heard lots over the years!
    "i can barely click the link. but i way why stop drinking .... i got ... moe .. fcke me ..im out of it" - GDA on Traditional vs Modern Wushu
    ---------------------------------------------
    but what if the man of steel hasta fight another man of steel only that man of steel knows kung fu? - Kristoffer
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    How do you think monks/strippers got started before the internet? - Gene Ching
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    Find your peace in practice. - Gene Ching

  4. #4
    One version that is used in the old days goes similar to this

    Source: There is an old saying of "When speaking, identify with 3. hands/arms always forms a circle" The second part is the "rule" for those salutes

    Action: Right hand forms a fist. Left hand forms a palm with the thumb tucked in and fingers stretched out. The arms makes more or less a circle.

    Explaination: 4 fingers sticking out means friends from all four seas (analogy for the world) Thumb tucked in represents you're being humble. The fist shows that you are making friends as a martial artist. Hand over it means you mean no harm. And the circular arms means that the world is encompassed and you see everyone as friends.


    Something like that.
    I am not sure about the closed finger one though


    edit:

    Oh, and I remember another version where the two hands doesn't touch at all ( Used by Hung Gar, CLF and Dragons stylists ). It says that the palm represents the moon and the fist represents the sun. Putting both together greats the chinese character of "Ming" which is the name of the Ming dynasty. It represents the anti-qing ideology of the MA people of the time. Although I would question this as (1) A wushu person told me this, (2) There is actually a practical combat-related explaination for the action in the first place.
    Last edited by Chinwoo-er; 10-21-2003 at 06:50 PM.

  5. #5
    That last bit's closer to what I remember Chinwooer, thanks.

    Anyone else?
    I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.

    J.R.R. Tolkien

    Originally posted by SifuAbel
    OMG, some body got a DNA sample from the burnt carcass of the last dead horse, separated the live cells, cloned another horse, watched it grow, let it come to maturity and then
    PROCEEDED TO BEAT IT TO DEATH , AGAIN!!!!!!!!!

  6. #6
    Originally posted by Chinwoo-er
    Oh, and I remember another version where the two hands doesn't touch at all ( Used by Hung Gar, CLF and Dragons stylists ).
    Careful with your generalisations. I know that not all HungGar and CLF people do like you described, don't know about Dragon.
    "i can barely click the link. but i way why stop drinking .... i got ... moe .. fcke me ..im out of it" - GDA on Traditional vs Modern Wushu
    ---------------------------------------------
    but what if the man of steel hasta fight another man of steel only that man of steel knows kung fu? - Kristoffer
    ---------------------------------------------
    How do you think monks/strippers got started before the internet? - Gene Ching
    ---------------------------------------------
    Find your peace in practice. - Gene Ching

  7. #7
    my apologies

    Although I have yet to see HG and CLF people not use them, I admit there is a possiblity they exist

  8. #8
    Trust me, I know for certain!

    Of course, they use the palm and fust salute, but not seperated as you described.
    "i can barely click the link. but i way why stop drinking .... i got ... moe .. fcke me ..im out of it" - GDA on Traditional vs Modern Wushu
    ---------------------------------------------
    but what if the man of steel hasta fight another man of steel only that man of steel knows kung fu? - Kristoffer
    ---------------------------------------------
    How do you think monks/strippers got started before the internet? - Gene Ching
    ---------------------------------------------
    Find your peace in practice. - Gene Ching

  9. #9
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    here's a couple-

    It used to be that this was a common gesture in Chinese culture, only that it was right hand covering left fist. It was changed later by the martial artists to facilitate the right hand be able to hold a weapon as many were right handed.

    The gesture not only represents the famous "oust the ching/restore the ming" of the secret societies, but also has meaning in the symbology displayed by the hands. IE:

    The fist represents the "warrior spirit", while the open hand laid over top represents a roof and covers the fist to show the "cultured man". The cultured man over the warrior spirit represents "peace".

    More recently it has simply become a hand salute that signifies that your style is a chinese martial art and there are further modifications that indicate which school or pai you belong to.

    cheers
    Kung Fu is good for you.

  10. #10
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    I may be way off here (wouldn't be the first time) but I seem to remember watching something on the Discovery Channel ("Shaolin Warriors", I think) where they would bow raising only the right open palm to their chest. There explaination for this was that some high up monk had his left arm chopped off in a battle and this was done to honor him. Now how accurate this is, I am not sure.

    Perhaps it will be one again and I can pay more attention this time.

  11. #11
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    The story GT is referring to is about Monk Hui Ke, who stood deep in the snow outside the cave in which monk Bodhidharma sat in deep meditation. The young monk pleaded to be taken as the sage's disciple. The old monk said, "Not until the Heaven makes the snow red."

    Monk Hui Ke cut off one of his arms and the blood dyed the snow red. Needless to say, Bodhidharma took him as a disciple. Later he succeeded monk Bodhidharma as the abbot.

    While that story sounds nice, I believe Shaolin uses the one-hand bow to demonstrate neutrality in political affairs.
    Last edited by MasterKiller; 10-22-2003 at 08:00 AM.
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  12. #12
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    fist= obvious
    cover=control

    What I learned from my master which I didn't know before is how useful that shape really is and that, by how high you hold the slatute translates your intention.

    No respect, want to fight, hold it low at waist in general, come on gesture. That's where my lead fist is usually, but the cover hand comes up to chin area when actually battling.

    About chest to chin hight for training brothers, martial artist you consider equals.

    Higher, about knose hight for someone you respect. You'd be covering that high if you were worried about them anyway.

    Again though, that shape is important. Very powerful, good leverage. A great foundation.

  13. #13
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    Did you try a search?
    Northern Shaolin schooled us all a while back (I believe).

    I'll see if I can dig it up.
    practice wu de


    Actually I bored everyone to death. Even Buddhist and Taoist monks fell asleep.....SPJ

    Forums are no fun if I can't mess with your head. Or your colon...
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  14. #14
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    practice wu de


    Actually I bored everyone to death. Even Buddhist and Taoist monks fell asleep.....SPJ

    Forums are no fun if I can't mess with your head. Or your colon...
    uh-oh, I hope no one quotes me on that....Gene Ching

    I'm not Normal.... RD on his crying my b!tch left me thread

  15. #15
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    I was told the shield of wisdom (left) covers the fist of the warrior (right).
    "In choosing your dwelling, know how to keep to the ground.
    In cultivating your mind, know how to dive in the hidden depths.
    In dealing with others, know how to be gentle and kind.
    In speaking, know how to keep your words.
    In governing, know how to maintain order.
    In transacting business, know how to be efficient.
    In making a move, know how to choose the right moment.
    If you do not strive with others, you will be free from blame."
    -Lao Tzu, Tao Teh Ching
    An eye for an eye leaves the world blind.

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