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Roots of Wing Chun from its Inception

Roots of Wing Chun

Over the years, there has been much controversy about my wing chun lineage.

Questions about the people who created it.

Did they exist?

Was Leung Bik / Yip Man system ever created?

Being involved with wing chun for over 27 years, I found this quite intimidating.

I was appalled to think the history of my martial art system, was false.

Sifu Garry decided to find out for myself.

In 2006, I started my quest to discover the “roots of wing chun”

Since then I have compiled ample information about my lineage.

Firstly, where does wing chun originate from?

Some say the Northern Shaolin Temple.

Others state categorically that wing chun comes from the Southern Shaolin Temple.

Me? I believe wing chun emanated from both Temples, at different times.

Wing Chun found its way from the Temples to the southern province of Guangdong, in China.

In the south of China, there was a group of Opera performers.

They had a secret society on the Red Boats that trabeled along the Perl River.

They were responsible for developing a structure of wing chun still being practiced today.

After the destruction of the Northern Shaolin Temple

The Temple Masters found their way south to avoid persecution from the Manchu Tyrants.

The Manchus were conquering China at that time.

The principle persons were Ng Mui and Jee Shin.

Jee shin eventually made his way south and joined the Red Boats.

Ng Mui fled south and hid in mountains near Foshan.

She eventually met a lady whom she taught the concepts of wing chun to.

Yim Wing Chun  and her Husband taught wing chun to several Red Boat members.

After the destruction of the Southern Shaolin Temple

A kung fu Master named Cheung Ng, fled to the southern province of Guangdong, and settled in Foshan.

Records state that Cheung Ng also introduced the principles of wing chun, to the Red Boats.

“Rid the Ching and return the Ming”

History suggests some members of the Red Boats were influenced by descendants of the Northern Temple.

0ther factions of the Troupe were influenced by Southern Shaolin Temple Monks.

At this stage of wing chun’s development wing chun was only an idea about a new martial system.

The Red Boats were responsible for creating a definitive structure.

In my next post, I will discuss Wing Chun’s direction after the Red Boats and its development.