Wing Chun

Histoire

Wing Chun is a southern Chinese style of close-range fighting. Legend says it was created by the nun Ng Mui and named after her student Yim Wing-chun; historically it spread through the Red Boat Opera troupes and the city of Foshan, where Leung Jan taught it in the 19th century.

In 1949 Ip Man moved to Hong Kong and began teaching Wing Chun publicly. Among his students was a young Bruce Lee. Today Wing Chun is practised worldwide and its training methods are among the best known in kung fu.

Le saviez-vous ?

• Wing Chun protects the "centre line" and attacks along it with short, fast punches.
• Chi sau ("sticky hands") trains students to feel the opponent's arms and react by touch.
• The wooden dummy (muk yan jong) is used to practise blocks and strikes.
• The Ip Man films (from 2008) brought a new wave of students to the art.

Glossaire des techniques

Tan sau

palm-up deflecting hand

Bong sau

wing arm

Pak sau

slapping block

Lap sau

pulling hand

Lin wan kuen

chain punches

Chi sau

sticky hands

Chi gerk

sticky legs

Formes

Siu Nim TaoChum KiuBiu JiMuk Yan Jong (wooden dummy form)Luk Dim Boon Kwan (pole form)Baat Jaam Dao (knife form)

Armes et équipement

Muk yan jong

wooden dummy

Baat jaam dao

butterfly knives

Luk dim boon kwan

long pole

⚔ In the Arsenal

Facas borboletaBoneco de madeira

☯ Philosophy and quotes

“Nothing in the world is softer than water, yet nothing is better at overcoming the hard.”— Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, ch. 78 (c. 4th century BC)

“Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless — like water.”— Bruce Lee, The Pierre Berton Show, TV interview (1971)

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Figures clés

• Leung Jan (1826–1901) — Foshan herbal doctor and Wing Chun master
• Ip Man (1893–1972) — taught Wing Chun in Hong Kong
• Wong Shun-leung (1935–1997) — famous student of Ip Man, known for real fights
• Bruce Lee (1940–1973) — student of Ip Man

Sources: Ving Tsun Athletic Association (Hong Kong) · Encyclopaedia Britannica