History of Wing Chun

The exact beginnings of Kung Fu are unknown. Historians believe Chinese martial arts forms predate recorded history.

There is one common reference point, however, the “Shaolin Temple”. Constructed in 471-500 AD, legend has it that the head Monk named Ta Mo meditated on a mountain above the Shaolin temple for nine years, upon his return he found many of the monks unjealy and weak though hours of meditation and lack of exercise. It was in that period that Ta Mo developed a set of “Chi” exercises to improve their physicality to one of super strength and power.

For centuries the Shaolin absorbed what it could, to finally develop it’s own Kung Fu system into the 5 animal patterns – taking some 15 to 20 years to master.

In 1644 China was in crisis – the Manchurians invaded from the north and ruled with an iron fist. The Chinese people (Hon) were placed under great hardship and unjust laws. In order to prevent rebellion, all martial arts and weapons were outlawed at this time.

The five Kung Fu Grandmasters met at the Shaolin temple to formulate a response to the crisis facing their nation. They combined their considerable knowledge and insight to create a superior martial art system, taking only 3-5 years to learn, with the ultimate goal of training warriors to overthrow the Manchurian invaders. The system became known as Wing Chun.

Before the practical aspects of this new system were completed, the Manchurians invaded the Shaolin temple after being tipped off . Caught off guard by the monks superior fighting skills, the Manchurians were defeated in the first battle. They retreated and called for reinforcements, and after a length battle finally defeated the rebellious monks and and burnt the Shaolin Temple to the ground.

Legend states that Wing Chun Kung Fu was first applied and taught by the only survivor of the original five grandmasters, a Buddhist nun, Ng Mui. She taught the system to a young orphan girl, who she named Yim Wing Chun. Translations for the name include “Beautiful Springtime” and “hope for the future”.

Yim Wing Chun was a rare beauty who used her skills many times to defeat violence and oppression and proved it an effective way for a weaker person to overcome a much larger and stronger opponent.

Over the years the Wing Chun system was transmitted in secret to family members and carefully chosen deciples. Over time the systems name became famous through the fighting process of it’s students, first in China and later across the world.

In 1950 a 10-year-old boy named William Cheung started training in Wing Chun Kung Fu under the then Grandmaster Yip Man. As a gifted and devoted student, Yip Man taught the young man many techniques that would later develop him into one of the most decorated Martial Artists of the 20^th century.

 Grandmaster William Cheung & Bruce Lee

In 1954 another young man began training under the same system, his name was Bruce Lee. Amazed by the skills of William Cheung, the two became good friends and training partners. Bruce Lee stated on many occasions that Cheung was the “worlds ultimate fighter”. Throughout the 60’s Lee developed his own system of Wing Chun called Jeet Kune Do and remained in constant contact with Cheung throughout this period.

 From 1970 to 1973 Bruce Lee made a string of Martial arts movies exposing Wing Chun Kung Fu to the world for the first time sending everyone into a Kung Fu frenzy. Warner Brothers biggest box office movie in 1973 was “Enter the Dragon” but sadly only days before the movie opened, Bruce Lee tragically passed away from a brain tumor.

Many stories have been written about Bruce Lee and the JKD system, but those in the know will tell you  “if you want to learn the true foundation of JKD, seek out and learn from Grandmaster William Cheung”.