Chinese Five Animal System:
History and Evolution
Many Chinese self-defense systems are built on the five animal system. The animals in the five animal system, considered the five classic animals, are the: tiger, dragon, crane, leopard, and snake. While styles involving the eagle, monkey, praying mantis, and others have been developed, they are not part of the original five animal form. Future articles will examine each of the classic animals; this article will focus on the history and evolution of the five animal system.
The five animal system was developed in the Shaolin Temple. The story goes that Zen (Chan) Buddhism was brought to China by Bodhidarma (Da Mo in Chinese). He spent several years meditating with the monks in the Shaolin Temple. After a few years Da Mo realized that the monks spent so much time sitting in meditation that their physical condition and health were poor. With the threat of attack on the temple by bandits Da Mo began teaching the monks exercises to improve their strength and health, and a few basic self-defense techniques to defend the temple.
In those days it was uncommon for the Chinese citizens to receive martial arts training unless they were in the military. So, during the Tang dynasty, when China was at war, the monks were asked to help protect the people and the land. With several soldiers that had previous martial arts training becoming monks, and actual battle experience, the Shaolin martial arts became more refined.
One soldier-turned-monk in particular had a large hand in the evolution of the five animal system. Zhue Yuen noticed that the style of martial arts being taught in the Shaolin Temple was very external and required a lot of force. Zhue Yuen created a more balanced system that included internal techniques, such as redirection, as well the external striking techniques.
The five animal form, the basis of the style, looked at different animals to find its balance. Each animal corresponds to a different aspect of training for a balanced mind and body.
