Hung Gar is straightforward, honest style with a rigid philosophy. It teaches the student how to use self-control and to use his kung fu knowledge properly. Hung Gar students are guided to be firm believers in doing what is morally correct. These are the reasons why Hung Gar is one of the most popular southern kung fu styles in the world.
Hung Gar Hand Forms
Hung Gar was developed during the revolutionary time in China. It was designed to teach the patriots the system as easily and quickly as possible. Therefore, they could use their martial arts to battle against the Manchurians. All of the Hung Gar training techniques are contained within just a few select forms. This is greatly different from many other kung fu styles which have a multitude of different sets, each used to teach a separate technique.
There are four most important forms in Hung Gar which are considered the heart and soul of the system. These are Kung Ji Fook Fu Kuen, Tiger Crane, Five Animal, and Iron Thread. Other minor sets such as Kow Chi Nin Wan Kuen, Plum Blossom Fist, Butterfly Palm, Law Family Fist, and others were added to further expand Hung Gar’s fighting principle by the contemporary masters.
Hung Gar is basically a tiger system, but it also contains the fighting tactics of dragon, snake, leopard, and crane. Each animal has an important lesson to teach the Hung Gar student.
In China, the dragon is thought of as the spiritual king of the animals. It gives the Hung Gar practitioner bold internal power and spirit.
Soft and internal, the snake has a smart deceptive nature and can easily change from one move to another.
The tiger emits courage and strength.
The leopard embodies speed and dangerous power.
The crane teaches alertness, agility, active spirit, and balance.