Xingyi Quan Kung Fu: Six Harmonies into Battle

Along with baguazhang and taijiquan, xingyiquan is known as one of the Big Three of Chinese internal kung fu. Xingyiquan literally means "shape of the mind fist." Although its origins are unknown, we can, with fair certainty trace this style back to the 18th century to the earliest written records of to Ma Xueli of Henan Province and Dai Longbang of Shanxi Province. However, legend would have us believe that the art was formed by the famous 12th century general, Marshall Yueh Fei. In China there has always been a penchant for attributing the origin of things to famous personages of the past, gods or heroes, or Daoist/Buddhist saints. Marshall Yueh also supposedly founded Eagle Claw boxing and the well-known qigong (energy training) set- Eight Brocades.

Supposedly after being lost for over 500 years, a boxing manual attributed to General Yueh was found by Ji Jike, also known as Ji Longfeng. Ji was born at the end of the Ming Dynasty in Shanxi Province where he endured a classical training. Depressed at his life as an official surrounded by a corrupt system, Ji became an itinerant martial artist. He scoured the surrounding area for any hint of a master with extraordinary skills. It is during this time that Ji supposedly found the general's book. Ji family chronicles, however, attribute Ji himself with founding xingyi's empty hand boxing based on the actions of the spear.

Next, Ji taught his art, which he called "Six Harmonies" (Liu He), to Ma Xueli and Cao Jiwu. It is believed in some circles that Cao Jiwu taught Dai Longbang, forming Dai family xinyiquan (heart/mind fist). Dai then taught the famous Li Luoneng (Li Nengran)

Li, born in 1807 in Hebei Province, is one of the most famous teachers in xingyi history. He is most known for producing an outstanding generation of practitioners with such notables as: Guo Yunshen, Che Yizhai, Liu Qilan, Bai Xiyuan, and Song Shirong.

It was Li who changed the name of Dai family xinyiquan (heart/mind) to xingyi (shape of the will). Additionally he added two new animal sets to the original ten. The "water lizard" and the Tai bird were these additions. He is also credited with adding the mixed sets and the two person sparring set, An Shen Pao. Li's most famous students were Guo Yunshen and Liu Qilan; Guo for his temper and Liu for producing so many outstanding students.

Guo Yunshen was a hot head. After learning the five fists form Li he figured his skill was good enough to beat just about anyone. And he was right. He became a bounty hunter but spent three years in prison for accidentally killing a fugitive. It was here he developed his famed "half-step crushing fist." Because his legs were shackled, he could only take small short steps. Once he got out of prison he went to challenge his senior, Che Yizhai. Che tried to reason with Guo but Guo was puffed up with pride. Retreating as long as he could so as to avoid hurting his classmate, finally Che had enough. Just as his back touched the wall, he countered Guo's crushing fist with his own chopping fist, saying, "You still have much to learn." Realizing the truth of this statement, Guo returned to Li for further training. Later Guo taught the two most famous fighters of his line-Sun Lutang and Wang Xiangzhai

Liu Qilan was famous for producing such outstanding fighters as: Zhang Zhankuei and Li Cunyi. These two worthies were among the first xingyi men to also practice Baguazhang.

Xingyi is defined by its powerful, shocking attacks and its use of direct linear footwork. Although it appears quite hard, it advocates the development of relaxed whole body power. This power is expressed in five actions. These actions are vectors of force, although they are often described with more philosophical wordings. These actions are known as the wuxing or five fists/elements. The first is the vector from up to down and is called piquan or chopping fist. It is associated with the gold element. The second is the vector from down to up and is known as zuanquan or drilling fist. It is associated with the water element. Third up is the action coming from back to front. It is known as bengquan or crushing fist. It is associated with the wood element. Fourth is the vector of inward to outward and is called paoquan or cannon fist. It is associated with the fire element. Last but not least is the action of outward to inward, crossing the line of attack. It is known as hengquan or crossing fist. It is associated with the earth element.

Additionally these five actions are combined and altered to make the twelve animal forms. These are: Tiger, Dragon, Cockerel, Snake, Monkey, Horse, Swallow, Tai Bird, Water Lizard, and Eagle/Bear. Also the xingyi system contains most of the classical Chinese weapons found in most other kung fu systems.

Xingyi has a long and storied history and still remains viable today as a complete stand up martial art.