An amalgam of several
creatures, including monitor lizards, pythons and the Chinese alligator, the
polymorphic dragon was a water spirit, responsible for bringing the rains
and thus insuring the survival of crops. The dragon was symbolic guardian to
the gods, and was the source of true wisdom. This latter feature most likely
resulted from the observation of the living reptilian counterparts which,
usually at rest, seem to be in a near constant state of contemplation.
The dragon represented two of the ancient elements, Earth and Water,
endowing the creature with powers of illusion and strength. A Yang symbol,
the Taoists saw the dragon as a personification of the Tao itself--"the
Dragon reveals himself only to vanish." Shaolin Buddhists saw him as a
vision of enlightened truth, to be felt, but never to be held. Certain very
old men were called dragons, these being well versed in the life-supporting
skills of herbal medicine, agriculture, and kung fu. In early China, these
skills were surely a matter of life or death, and those so educated were
held in high esteem.
Dragon kung fu is essentially
an internal, qi (pronounced chi) cultivating method, but initial training is
far more like a hard, external style than a delicate, reptilian approach. In
learning the moves, the student will strike hard, block hard and stomp into
each position, with the idea of learning the proper place to be once each
movement is complete. Eventually, the method of transmitting power is
retained, and the physically strengthened body is able to make transitions
in the proper, fluid manner. In turn, this reptilian smoothness helps
disguise the attack, making it extremely difficult for an adversary to
effectively counter. The practitioner stands at a 45 degree angle at the
Once a purely physical semblance to flow has been mastered, the disciple
incorporates the deep hissing sounds to train ch'i flow. Inhaling is silent,
but exhalation is deliberate, tense and controlled. Inhaling lightens the
body for aerial maneuvers, while exhaling drives power into each technique.
Blocking is dispensed with, and parries or simple strikes substituted. At
this point, novice and advanced student show very little in common.
On the highest level, an opponent is allowed to tire himself out, evasion
becoming the Dragon's key defense. Qi control is highly developed, and the
degree to which the body must be moved to redirect or avoid impact is under
The forms that constitute this system are divided by complexity into three
categories, and are enumerated below:
Passing Bridge Three Times
Fierce Tiger Leaping Over Wall
Rescue Master From Single Side
Single Sword and Mount
Press and Hit from Four Sides
Touch Bridge (introduces sticking hands)
Venomous Snake Moves Tongue
Hua King's Fist
Cross Standing Five-Form
Turn to Hook and Hit
Five Horses Returning to Stable Palm
Plum Flower Punch
Seven Ways of Plum Flower Punch
In each form, one is taught to "ride the wind", a phrase which in large part
means follow rather than lead. Provide no opening without first letting your
opponent open. Unlike Crane, which also relies heavily upon evasion as a
tactic, the Dragon evades primarily by rotation of upper or lower torso with
little or no stance movements, while the Crane stylist hops frequently to
reposition the entire body. Both styles employ pinpoint strikes to
vulnerable meridian targets, but dragon also heavily uses tiger-like punches
and clawing techniques, snake-like stance shifts, and leopard-like hit and
run strikes to weaken a physically superior adversary. Dragon kung fu also
regularly employs low sweeping techniques, but these are not unique; most
senior stylists of any kung fu system use these on a weakened adversary.
Codes of Southern Dragon style
The seeds were first planted from Haufeng; the essence was gained
later at Haushou
Restrain one's self and yield to others not because one is weak, but to
uphold the ethical Tao and let the others have their claim.
Four rules of the Dragons
Focus to train and condition the body.
Be righteous and uphold your honor.
Respect your parents, honor your teacher.
Treat others with honesty, treat your friends with loyalty.