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by: Pedro Cepero Yee Animals have often captured our imagination, be it in films, games that we've played as children or in the martial arts. We are often captivated by television shows highlighting The different characteristics of animals in their environment. In the many styles of kung fu there is a variety of animal styles practiced. Some of the more famous are the White Crane system (Pak Hok and Fukien), Dragon style and Tiger system. There are also many styles that incorporate more than one animal such as Choy Lay Fut, Jow Ga, Hung Fut, Wing Chun. There are also many styles of exercise and martial arts that are characterized as the five animals style such as Hua To's five animal frolics and the Northern five animals style. But all five animal styles are not alike. There are many differences that exist between them. The Hung Ga Five Animals The Hung system is perhaps one of the most famous of the animal styles because it incorporates the dragon, snake, tiger, leopard and crane. Although these animals exist in other styles; the hung ga five animals have totally unique characteristics. During the latter part of the 1800's the five animal methods were passed onto the Great Grandmaster Wong Fei Hung by way of Luk Ah Choy, his father Wong Kay Ying and the Hung Moon Association. This brilliant man was able to infuse the five animals techniques with the five element strengths. This new system utilized Wong's extensive medical knowledge and the five basic tonal patterns to improve the functions of the body's major and minor organs. In addition, by applying different types of body connection, which he learned from Tit Kiu Saam's Iron Wire Form, with the sounds, he was able to create different types of power. This internalization of the art made Hung Ga Kuen a complete system of health and self- defense. To gain a better understanding of the difference of the animals in the hung system we must look at each aspect separately then bring them together. The Five Elements Connection The five elements are an ancient philosophical concept explaining the composition of the natural world. Each element has a relationship with the yin and yang organs in the body. The relationship is described as:
These elements also manifest into physical qualities or strengths. The Gold element strength is characterized by movements that are as hard as an axe. The Wood element strength must always use two hands and be in balance. Water strength must be done in a continuous forward pressured motion like the pounding waves in the ocean. Fire element strength has to be performed fast and must take ground, usually rising upward in motion. Earth must be solid like a mountain and flexible like sand blowing in the wind. What is so often misunderstood is that the elements are a philosophy of usage, which manifest into particular strengths, not a physical posture. The elements as a physical source is abstract. This has led to much confusion in the style but that information is better left for a future article. When the concepts or strengths of the five elements are applied to each animal, a unique transformation takes place. This transformation becomes the difference between mere imitation and authenticity, which is the heart and soul of this art. Now lets take a look at each of the animals and their key points. Dragon The Hung ga dragon is known for it's extreme body connection, which it develops in the Iron Wire form. It is also characterized by sounds, which are needed to create the different types of power that emanate with each movement. It is also known for it's short power. The dragons internal Qi is always in a state of readiness, available for use at any moment. The manner in which this is accomplished is to have the two shoulders sunk and firmed, the five centers corresponding with each other, Qi is sunk to the lower dan tien, using the Yi (intention or will) and not using the Lek (power). The waist must connect the body as one unit. The dragon is considered to have an Earth strength philosophy. It flies from left to right. When it is necessary to be soft, it is soft, and when it is necessary to be hard, it is hard. Just as a mountain is strong and solid and the soil is soft when you pick it up, so is the dragon. It is able to change at any moment. This gives the mind the feeling of invincibility. It also is like a big snake, but with more power, where its body is very flexible. The dragon also has claws that are used for close range fighting, grappling, locking. The back must be straight to allow the shoulder power to root. Your heart must be connected to your body (mind). The five centers are the center of the two hands (Lao Gung Acu-Point), two soles of the feel (Yong Chun Acu-Point), and the head (Pak Wei Acu-Point). In order to make the mind control the limbs efficiently, these five centers must act as one unit and correspond with each other skillfully. In order to have a high spirit; you must first have an abundant store of Qi in the lower dan tien. When the Qi in the lower dan tien is full, then you will be able to lead it to the brain to energize the spirit. The trick to manifesting the power is to use the Yi (intention) instead of brute muscular power. All must be coordinated. Just as the dragon flies in the sky, you can never predict his next move. Snake The snake uses the Water philosophy strength and relies on speed, like water in a whirlpool. It is much smaller than the dragon so there fore its movements are characterized by speed and attacks to sensitive areas. The snake at this point trains your Qi and breath to be in rhythm. It changes with the environment, hard like ice when it is cold and soft like water when it is warm. Similar to the dragon, the snake has a duality of hard and soft. But unlike the dragon, because of its size, the Snake requires multiple strikes on the opponent. Thus speed and stamina are essential. Don't forget the key is to be calm and soft. Every breath is smooth, as a snake. Before it touches anything it is powerless. But once it touches it becomes invincible. Extreme soft and extreme hard, like steel, all power should concentrate in the fingers. Tiger The tiger uses the Fire Element strength. Fire element strength is used to explode your energy forward onto your opponent without hesitation, just as a forest fire continually takes ground no matter how many fire fighters are in front of it. You must project this feeling on your opponent that if a confrontation starts he will be burned. Part of this feeling is accomplished through sound. The majestic feeling that you get when you see the great Rocky Mountains for the first time, the strength and power they represent is the same that a person feels when he sees the tiger emerge in your fighting prowess. Your body becomes solid as a mountain. The tiger's spirit is developed through the tiger and crane set. When practicing the Tiger your body must be solid at the waist, your back must lean forward and you must have power from beginning to the end of every movement. Your body must be full of energy and your under arm muscles must be full and abundant (connected). You must open the eyes with effort and strengthen the neck, a sole thread of Qi is threaded throughout the entire body. This animals techniques are used to control your opponent. Just imagine how a tiger captures its prey and holds it for the kill. In essence, the physical movements and attitude should instill fear and intimidation in your opponent. Leopard The Leopard utilizes the Gold Strength Philosophy. Leopard techniques are usually ony found in southern styles. There are very few styles that utilize its techniques. The leopards body makes use of momentum to create power when striking an opponent. Unlike the Tiger, the Leopard knocks the opponent off his feet rather than controlling and killing him. The entire body is filled with Lek (i.e., muscular power). Its two fists are held together tightly and the five fingers are as strong as copper hooks and bent iron. The Leopard has strong claws and can climb trees. The Leopard also jumps and sprints short distances. It is not a long distance runner. It releases by exploding all it has in one lightning fast flurry, and then it must regroup its energy. Therefore, when the five fingers are holding tight they are strong, and when they are opened (Paws) they are as powerful as metal hooks. Crane The Crane utilizes the Wood Philosophy, where balance is the key. Its mighty claws grip the earth below. In here lies a key. Balance is very important in Martial Arts both on the physical and mental levels. The techniques utilize both hands to trap and counter simultaneously. Mentally, one must possess great concentration due to the need for precision in striking pressure points with deadly accuracy. It utilizes its beak, wings, claws, hook, and head, shifting and lightning kicks such as the Mo Ying Gerk, a method which Wong fei Hung added to the style. After learning it from sifu Song Ton Fai. The Crane seeks to condense the essence (Jing) and concentrate the spirit, relax the arms and transport the Qi. It's actions should be neither too slow nor too urgent; as a rule, it is important to choose the proper time and strategy. In relation to health, Jing is the essence of our body and is the most essential and refined part of our life. It is believed that the White Crane has longevity because it knows how to conserve and protect its essence. When this essence is conserved, the spirit of vitality can then be raised. When you move, your arms should be comfortable and opened, which allows the Qi to circulate smoothly. All the actions in the movements should coordinate with the timing and strategies. The Crane trains you to recognize the proper time to strike the opponent. It teaches you to have perfect control and balance of a situation. It trains the Bing Ging (Whip Power). When it is necessary to be slow (stillness), then be slow, and when it is necessary to be fast (Bing Ging), act fast. The Hung Ga Five Animals train the body and mind. Each animal is a separate part of the whole. To talk about one and not the other is to have an article that is incomplete. For example, when talking about the human body and its functions, one must not exclude any one organ (Heart, Liver etc), or system (Endocrine, Circulatory etc). In this way, being complete allows for less misunderstanding. A Martial artist must possess Characteristics in the same manner as the five animals. He must possess a a strong mind and high spirit, such as the spirit of the dragon. A Martial Artist must also possess a strong body only in this way can the physical structure have a firm support. He learns this from the tiger. From the leopard he learns that his fist must adopt strength and speed. These three factors allow him to be a strong and highly spiritual martial artist. But to maximize his capabilities he must also learn to protect and conserve his essence. This is the teaching of the crane. The snake becomes our mentor in the preservation of Qi, through which breath work is paramount. From this short summary we learn that the Hung Family five animals are more than a just a fighting art. They are a centuries old prescription for a full and complete life.  |
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