Heihuquan

Black Tiger Fist (Chinese: 黑虎拳 Heihuquan) is a northern Chinese martial art originating in Shandong Province.^[1][2]

Origins

The traditional lineage of the system begins with master Wang Zhenyuan in the late nineteenth-century; but the style was originally formed at the Shaolin Henan Temple before being transferred to Wang. The style was then passed from Wang Zhenyuan to Wang Zijiu, then to Wang Zhixiao, and finally to Su Fuyuan (Cantonese: Souw Hok Gwan).

Techniques

The Black Tiger style is characterised by its extensive footwork, acrobatic kicks, low, wide stances, and unique fist position (where the thumb is curled in the same manner as the other fingers, rather than wrapped around them). According to the Shaolin grandmasters, the style is the single most external style in the Shaolin canon; the longer the stylist practices, however, the more she or he comes to rely solely on internal power. In this respect it is similar to Northern Praying Mantis.^{[3] [4]}

References

1. Shantung Black Tiger: A Shaolin Fighting Art of North China by Leo Budiman Prakarsa (Author), Khek Kiong Tjoa (Author), Donn F. Draeger (Author), Quintin T. G. Chambers (Author)
2. "Five Animals Shaolin Martial Arts : Tiger Fighting Shaolin Martial Arts". eHow. Retrieved 2009-12-28.
3. "KUNG FU PANDA: Big Bear Cat was "PO-fect"". Kung Fu Magazine. Retrieved 2009-12-27.
4. "Power of the Animals". Inside Kung Fu. Retrieved 2009-12-29.