Dragons Kung
The Fighting Methods Of The Five Animals Of Shaolin Kung Fu
The Martial Arts, and this includes Shaolin kung fu, are passed on through unique patterns of movement. They are, at heart, a mythology created to represent a unique methodology. They are the science of an ancient time, passed down to us by dance.
Thus, to understand the martial arts, we must ask ourselves what martial science were the ancients trying to formulate and offer. Science is science, however, and I think you will find that the real reasons for the five animals are simple and expedient. Also, you will find that there is a distinct method of motion behind the animals.
The tiger is an aggressive animal, and he is always on the attack. Claws and teeth, he drags down his opponent and tears him apart. Thus, the direction of the Tiger is forward, and all he does is attack.
The Crane is a lighter animal, giving way with deflection as he sets up and uses the legs. He does not rely on flight, but rather manipulates the attack to set up his kicks. He does not charge, but fights at a certain distance, never never lets that distance close.
The Snake coils and twists and allows the attacker to get close. The artful deflections of the crane become full blown traps and locks under the trickery of the snake. Thus, the snake gives way without giving way, and the enemy falls into trickiness and deception.
There is some argument whether the fifth animal is a leopard or monkey, and I opt for the monkey. Whichever animal you choose as the best representation of Shaolin Kung Fu, the attribute of the animal is tricky footwork and the ability to acrobat and gyrate out of the fight. Thus, the Monkey (leopard) has the ability to extract himself from the fight and reset the whole thing to whatever animal characteristic he is strongest at.
The fifth animal is the dragon, and this is an imaginary animal which represents the best of the previous four animals. The dragon is the embodiment of understanding and employing all animals so that they work together. Run, manipulate, trick or flee, the dragon does them all, smoothly and at the right time.
The five animals found in Shaolin Kung Fu represent geometry of motion in space, and a distinct selection of distance of combat. Practice each animal until you have mastered the abilities of that animal, then blend them all together. This is the always winning strategy for combat as developed by the Five Animals of Shaolin Kung Fu.
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