There are many martial arts systems in China but there are three great divisions which are both 
odes of religous centres in addition to martial arts. Each of these division have unique qualities and there are many different styles that belong to them. Here we introduce the three divisions of Emei (Blue), Wudang (Green) and Shaolin (Orange) and their reigns of influence. Because of their fame it is difficult to determine what really relates to those locations and what are actually separate schools that proclaim them. But irrespective their influence and importance cannot be understated. Religious affiliations are also interesting as Shaolin is Buddhist, Wudang is Daoist and Emei is often a combination or either. It is also common that if a boxing method or its practitioner thought either thought affiliations would be made as well. This page is just an introduction for a more in depth treatment kindly visit the specific sections on those respective styles.
SHAOLIN PAI
Shaolin Temple was built in 497 AD and throughout its long history has gained skills in martial arts resultant from both resident monks developing ways to keep healthy but more so from ex-military/martial artists who latter converted to monks in order to avoid prosecution, seek a religious or hide away. Such a long history of such activity lead to the Shaolin Order developing a boxing system/s of their own and since as early as 961 AD, the temple was already active in the realm of martial arts. But the real time when records of martial arts became more common was during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
There are many so called Shaolin styles that have evolved through time, the latter destruction of the temple (numerous times throughout its history) meant that much of its martial arts were carried through in the lay people. Additionally resultant from such a famed name many boxers would proclaim Shaolin as the origin of their skills irrespective if this was actually the case. As a result Shaolin was known as "the number one temple under heaven" and has even received the honour of the saying "All kung fu under heaven originates at Shaolin". Nowadays, Shaolin Temple no longer holds the skills of its past but Shaolin Boxing/Martial Arts are found throughout China and have evolved into many different styles.
For further information enter the Shaolin Boxing section here.
WUDANG PAI
The Wudang Moutains are a beautiful feat of nature, with 72 peaks, 36 rocky cliffs and 24 streams the mountains are full of mystery and extrude surreal feelings of harmony with nature. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) the first Daoist Monastery was built - The 5 Dragons Temple. In ancient times the concentration of Daoism originated in the Zhong Nan mountains just south of the then Capital Chang'an (today's Xian City, Shaanxi), many of the Daoists after turbulent periods headed further south to nearby Wudang Mountain and Daoism became highly associated with the area. During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) when the beautiful complex of temples (such as the Golden Hall, Nanyan Gong and Zixiao Gong (Purple Could Temple)) were constructed. Martial Arts of wudang would also become well known especially the famous Wudang Sword, the boxing methods of Wudang would also be placed in contrast the Shaolin methods by the proclamation of the Internal (Wudang) vs the External (Shaolin) approaches even though that is not an accurate depiction. It was sometimes said "Shaolin Conquers the North, but in the South, Respect Wudang".
Wudang Boxing styles have also now reached many and this was mainly due to the departmentalisation of the Guo Shu association in Nanjing which bundled some boxing styles to the Shaolin division and others to the Wudang division. The Wudang consisted of things such as Taijiquan, Xingyi and Bagua. In actuality, the boxing styles of Wudang proper did not contain any of the systems such as Taiji, Xingyi and Bagua, those were adopted afterwards by visiting masters (such as Fu Jianqiu who brough Xingyi and Bagua to Wudang). The boxing methods of Wudang do share resemblance to Taiji and Bagua styles but also have unique features onto their own. Not all Wudang Boxing methods are soft and slow, but one thing that usually is featured is an association with Daoist principles. When Wu Chanlong stayed in Wudang one of the important aspects that all teachers would stress is every little relationship of either the boxing, the area, the internal considerations to Daoism.
For further information
enter the Wudang Boxing section here.
EMEI PAI
The Emei mountains are hidden deep in the interior of China, with clouds a drift it is picturesque. The first Buddhist Temple in China was built here in the Emei Mountains, throughout its history further temples and monasteries were built both Buddhist and Daoist and has remained as a haven for hermits, buddhist monks and Daoists ever since. Emei does not only relate to the moutains, rather Emei was the name of Bashu (which is present day Sichuan Province and Chongqing). Some sayings include "Shaolin to the North, Wudang South, Emei to the West"
Emei Martial arts however are a much later affair than the first buddhist temple. Many of the indigenous practices were mainly in relation to spiritual development, which lead to harnessing of schools of Qigong and related health supporting methods. One legend proclaims (and often potrayed in WuXia novels) that a female Daoist Priestess who later converted to Buddhism was the founder of the Emei School of martial arts. In Fact, It was during the Ming and Qing dynasties that the importation of boxing methods from across the country lead to the development of unique Emei evolutions to those methods until this day where there are many boxing methods. The Emei Martial arts are sometimes divided into 5 divisions (Pai) and 8 Schools (Men). The 5 Divisions are Huang Lin, Wing Cheng, Tie Fo, Dian Yi and Qing Niu. The 8 Schools are Seng, Yue, Zhao, Du, Hong, Hua, Zi and Hui.
For further information enter the Emei Boxing section here.
