What is Five Animal Kung Fu?

Question

I didn't realise the five animals used in Kung Fu Panda actually reflect the traditions of Kung Fu.

But how and why?

Thanks

Answer 1

Shaolin first became famous because the Tang Dynasty (618–907) saw fit to favor the monastery with its patronage as thanks for the role its monks played in the Battle of Hulao. The sudden renown of the Shaolin martial arts attracted pilgrims who came specifically to study its fighting methods. However, the more people that sought training at the temple, the smaller the proportion of them that had the time or the inclination to truly dedicate themselves. Some regarded the Shaolin imprimatur as a kind of talisman that rendered years of training unnecessary. Others only wanted to fight well and cared little for esoterica like qìgōng, erasing over centuries the difference between the Shaolin martial arts and those crude methods on which it was supposed to improve.

Another was Jueyuan, who in the 13th century started from first principles with the 18 Luohan Hands, the original 18 techniques of the Shaolin martial arts. Like those before him, Jueyuan used the original 18 Luohan Hands as a foundation, expanding its 18 techniques into 72. Still, he felt the need to seek knowledge from outside the confines of the temple.

In Gansu Province in the west of China, in the city of Lanzhou, he met Li Sou, a master of "Red Fist" Hóngquán (紅拳). Li Sou accompanied Jueyuan back to Henan, to Luoyang to introduce Jueyuan to Bai Yufeng, master of an internal method.

They returned to Shaolin with Bai Yufeng and expanded Jueyuan's 72 techniques to approximately 170. Moreover, using their combined knowledge, they restored internal aspects to Shaolin boxing.

They organized these techniques into Five Animals: the Tiger, the Crane, the Leopard, the Snake, and the Dragon.

Answer 2

The five inter-related animals which represent the Hung-Gar System of kung-fu are the Dragon, Tiger, Leopard, Crane & Snake.

  

The movements of the Dragon will cultivate your spirit and develop your internal energy.



The movements of the Tiger will strengthen your bones and help to develop your natural strength.



The movements of the Leopard concentrate on the development of strength, speed and agility.



The graceful movements of the Crane will develop your balance and flexibility, and harmonize your hands and your feet. Tranquility and awareness are some of the virtues of the crane.



The movements of the Snake will develop your speed and accuracy. The Snake's energy flows through its body, which remains supple. The snake appears to be soft yet strong, flexible yet firm -until the moment it strikes.





Thanks for the question.

Answer 3

The five animals are; the grasshopper, the beaver, the sloth, the flying squirrel and the most deadliest of them all the gollum.

Answer 4

5 animal kung fu is hung garr, based on movements of 5 animals. Their is also a internal form called xinyi that teaches a 10 and a muslim chinese xinyi form that teaches 11 animal kung fu. The more animals does not mean better or anything, it just shows the roots of the form.