Martial Arts Etiquette & Bowing

In the Martial Arts the Bow often referred to as the Salute, seems to be used a great deal, we bow when we enter the Kwoon, we bow when we leave, bow to the shrine, bow to the Sifu, to senior students, junior students, training partners before during and after training we seem to be bowing to everything.

 In the orient the Bow does not mean subservience as it is sometimes mistaken in the west.  It doesn’t mean that one person is acknowledging the other as a superior or a master, or one is a lesser being even if that person is the Master of the school.  Bowing, to the Asian culture, is much the same as shaking hands here.  It’s a sign of friendship, respect and mutual admiration.

It is important to understand that when learning Martial Arts knowledge and skills, one must also learn great responsibility, respect and humility. The Bow is a simple sign of these virtues.

 One of the first things a student is taught when starting Martial Arts is how to bow. Though the bow may change in different Kung Fu schools, generally in Wing Chun Kung Fu the bow is represented by, the left hand fist and right hand palm. At Lifestyle Kung Fu the left hand held in a fist with a straight wrist, the right hand, forms a palm with fingers out stretched and together, thumb bent. Then the right palm is placed over the left fist’s knuckles. Both arms are bent at chest height forming a circle.

 There are many interpretations as to the meaning of this etiquette. A widely accepted explanation is that the extended four fingers indicates all Martial Arts in the world or across the four oceans are of the same line and share the same goal, the bent thumb means that the practitioner is modest and humble, to place the fist and palm together means you are willing to make friends through your martial arts practice, and to form a circle with the arms shows that all Martial Artists on earth are of one family.

 Most Kung Fu schools will hold the right hand in a fist and left hand in a palm. This is also often referred as Yang (masculine) as men most commonly practiced the fighting arts. In Wing Chun Kung Fu the left hand fist, right hand palm meaning Yin (feminine) pays respect to its founders who were female namely Ng Mui and Yim Wing Chun.

 When entering the training hall, bowing is a way of showing respect for the Kwoon, the martial art in which you are learning, to all past masters and students who have gone before you.

 In some schools students will bow to a shrine. This in no way represents worship or has any religious significance. To bow at a shrine means simple respect to the past masters who dedicated their lives to training and passing on their knowledge in which we are privileged to have today.

 Bowing to the Sifu or Instructors of the school and always addressing them by their correct title means you are giving him or her respect for the hardships they went through to achieve their position. The student is saying that he / she has respect for the training that they are learning and if it were not for their instructors efforts the student would not exist  Students are also saying that they will do their best to uphold the honour of the school and to strive to be the best that he / she can be. A student, who tries to be first to bow, shows alertness quick reflexes and above all respect, while a student who chooses to ignore these values shows little respect.

 It is important to pay respect to all for the hard work we have performed, as well as appreciation for each other’s worth as human beings. It shows that you bear no hard feelings towards your partner and you will always stay aware and in control during training.

 Years ago in the Shaolin Temple, the monks would first look for manners and respect before accepting disciples. To truly bow with genuine honour and respect shows that one is ready to undertake the discipline of the martial arts.

 An old Chinese saying is: When you drink a glass of water, you should always think of the source, next time you bow, remember that this is the key to understanding the respect and etiquette of the martial arts.