history of hsing i ch'uan

According to legend hsing-i was originally devised by Yue Fei, who many consider to have been China’s finest general. Many Chinese believe that that if China’s emperor had not become jealous of Yue Fei’s popularity and military prowess and forced him to commit suicide, Yue Fei would have halted the Mongol invasion dead in its tracks.

The story is that Yue Fei invented 2 types martial arts for his troops to use in battle. For his enlisted men, he devised eagle-claw boxing, and for his officers he invented the more powerful hsing-i, based upon spear technique, which accounts for the linear appearance of hsing-i’s movements.

The 3 major schools of Hsing I Ch'uan are Shansi, Honan,  and Hopei. Sun style Hsing I Ch'uan was introduced by Sun Lu Tang, who learned the Hopei style from Guo Yun Shen. Therefore, Sun Style is an offshoot from the Hopei school, many people consider Sun Lu Tang to be the highest level master of Hopei style Hsing I Ch'uan that has ever lived. The center of the training in Hsing I Ch'uan are the 5 Elements

1.Splitting fist. Pi Ch'uan.
2.Drilling fist. Tsun Ch'uan.
3.Crushing fist. Bong Ch'uan.
4.Pounding fist. Pao Ch'uan.
5.Crossing fist. Heng Ch'uan.

These five Elements are the foundation of Hsing I Ch'uan. After a person has reached proficiency in the 5 elements, the next 2 forms are "fighting forms" which are done with a partner. The 1st fighting form uses 3 elements done in sequence, the next uses all 5 elements, these develop the techniques into practical application. The next solo forms are: