Hung Gar
Hung Gar Kung Fu is a Southern Chinese martial art known for its deep stances, powerful hand techniques, and strong roots in Shaolin tradition. Developed for both health and combat, Hung Gar emphasizes discipline, physical conditioning, and internal strength through structured forms like Tiger-Crane and Iron Wire. The style is famed for its integration of five animal styles and five elements theory, combining hardness and softness in equal measure. It maintains a strong cultural legacy through traditional etiquette, family-style transmission, and deep philosophical underpinnings. Hung Gar continues to be practiced worldwide for its practicality, beauty, and spiritual depth.
Hung Gar Essentials
About Hung Gar
Discover Hung Gar—a southern style of Kung Fu characterized by strong stances, fierce hand techniques, and the iconic Tiger-Crane form rooted in Shaolin principles.
Hung Gar History
Explore the origins of Hung Gar through figures like Hung Hei Gun and Wong Fei Hung, tracing its evolution from Southern Shaolin to modern global prominence.
Philosophy & Approach
Learn about Hung Gar’s internal philosophy—balancing power and control, moral cultivation, and the application of the Five Animals and Five Elements theory in movement and mindset.
Techniques & Style
Examine the technical structure of Hung Gar, including horse stances, bridge hands, snapping power, and the strategic fusion of animal-based methods and elemental concepts.
Traditions & Etiquette
Understand the customs of Hung Gar schools—formal salutes, family-style hierarchy, and rituals that reinforce discipline, humility, and respect for martial heritage.
Uniform & Symbols
Explore the traditional attire of Hung Gar practitioners, featuring black uniforms with white trim, symbolic sashes, and emblems linked to family lineage and Shaolin roots.
Weapons
Study Hung Gar’s classical weaponry, including the tiger fork, broadsword, and long staff—each reflecting the style’s practical battlefield origins and technical rigor.
Ranking System
Review how Hung Gar schools recognize progression—often through form proficiency, physical conditioning, and lineage-based acknowledgment rather than colored belts.
Hung Gar Glossary
Explore essential terms such as “Gung Gee Fook Fu,” “Tit Sin Kuen,” and “Bridge Hand,” each offering insight into Hung Gar’s techniques, forms, and internal concepts.
Notable Figures
Learn about legendary practitioners like Wong Fei Hung, Lam Sai Wing, and Chiu Kau, whose teachings helped define and preserve the Hung Gar tradition.
Branches & Organizations
Discover the key lineages and schools of Hung Gar around the world, including Lam, Chiu, and Wong families—each preserving unique interpretations of this classical art.
Competitive Format
While traditionally non-competitive, Hung Gar features in forms competitions and demonstration circuits. Some modern schools also adapt elements for sanda or controlled sparring.
