The evolution of kung fu: from hired killers to soldiers, the mafia, and finally an esteemed sport
Looking back through the dynasties at how Chinese martial arts came to be
A tai chi master’s defeat by a mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter last week has renewed debate over whether traditional Chinese martial arts is practical in real combat.
Wei’s defeat, which internet users have described as “humiliating”, shone the spotlight on the practicalities of Chinese martial arts – is it useful in combat or just a form of exercise? And how did it evolve through the centuries into what it is today?
China’s martial arts history goes back more than 2,000 years, and has contributed to the country’s culture and even literature, with Chinese novels often depicting heroes’ superior fighting skills.
But Chinese martial arts, also known as kung fu, have been practised for millennia for a wider range of reasons than just combat. We look back at its history through the dynasties.