BIG CATS OF KUNG FU
Anyone who’s had to fend off an angry animal — even one as small as a house cat — knows the fury they can bring to a fight. It’s apparent to us now, and it was apparent to Chinese martial artists a thousand years ago. No doubt those astute observers were enthralled by the speed, power, evasive ability and often total abandon that certain denizens of the wild kingdom brought to their battles.
Chinese warriors — and Shaolin monks, in particular — analyzed the offensive and defensive moves of any creature they deemed capable in a fight. “There are a lot of Shaolin animals — including lesser-known ones like the dog, the scorpion and the elephant,” says Steve DeMasco, a Black Belt Hall of Famer who’s spent his career assimilating the Chinese interpretation of critter combat.
“However, it’s the animals that make up the Shaolin ‘five fists’ system that are the best-known,” he continues. “They are the tiger, crane, leopard, snake and dragon.”
The tiger offers the power to shake the earth and to be the authoritative king of its lair. The leopard is nature’s master of precision — sharp, efficient and lightning fast. The crane dances with accuracy and control, and offers weightlessness to rise above crises. The extreme chi power generated by the snake helps activate profound sensitivity and enables all the muscles to work as one. The dragon protects treasures, defends against famine and floods, and is filled with ancient wisdom and folklore.
— Rob Moses, kung fu instructor
