The Halesowen Wing Chun Kuen logo, what does it mean?
Yin and Yang. Yin is the dark Yang is the light
In Chinese philosophy, yin and yang (also yin–yang or yin yang, 陰陽 yīnyáng “dark–bright”) describe how seemingly opposite or contrary forces may actually be complementary, interconnected, and interdependent in the natural world, and how they may give rise to each other as they interrelate to one another.
Many tangible dualities (such as light and dark, fire and water, expanding and contracting) are thought of as physical manifestations of the duality symbolised by yin and yang. This duality lies at the origins of many branches of classical Chinese science and philosophy, as well as being a primary guideline of traditional Chinese medicine, and a central principle of different forms of Chinese martial arts.
Many tangible dualities (such as light and dark, fire and water, expanding and contracting) are thought of as physical manifestations of the duality symbolised by yin and yang. This duality lies at the origins of many branches of classical Chinese science and philosophy, as well as being a primary guideline of traditional Chinese medicine, and a central principle of different forms of Chinese martial arts.
This duality lies at the origins of many branches of classical Chinese science and philosophy, as well as being a primary guideline of traditional Chinese medicine, and a central principle of different forms of Chinese martial arts.
Yin Yang is the concept of duality forming a whole. We encounter examples of Yin and Yang every day. As an example: night (Yin) and day (Yang), female (Yin), and male (Yang).
The symbol for Yin Yang is called the Taijitu. Most people just call it the yin yang symbol in the west. The taijitu symbol has been found in more than one culture and over the years has come to represent Taoism.
Within the Wing Chun system that we teach, we are looking to get the “whole” within the system, the hard Yin (soft), Yang (hard), learning passive, absorbing, observing (Yin), active, expressing, doing (Yang) be that through our forms, application or chi sau.
A complete Wing Chun system is made up of both soft, hard, fast, slow, concepts, intangible (Yin), tangible (Yang) pressure, soft, and hard. It is the Sifu’s job to ensure that this is covered and not just focusing on the “fighting” that is in the system. After all, the system did originate from the Fujian Shaolin Monastery.
Triangles in the Wing Chun system
What is in a triangle?
Triangles are one of the strongest shapes because any added force is evenly spread on all three sides.
Because of their inherent structural characteristics, the corner angles of a triangle cannot change without an accompanying change in the length of the edge. Therefore, in order to change a triangle’s shape, an edge must collapse.
When looking at a lot of the “shapes” or “techniques” used within the Wing Chun system you will inevitably see lots of triangles. The core Wing Chun techniques such as Tan Sau, Pak Sau, Bong Sau, Jum Sau, and Gang Sau
Some of the core Wing Chun techniques such as Tan Sau, Pak Sau, Bong Sau, Jum Sau and Gang Sau use the inherent strength of the triangle, coupled with the Yin and Yang principle and the resulting return force on to an attacking opponent, with training, practice and patience a Wing Chun practitioner will come to understand the importance of triangles.
The plum blossom in Wing Chun
The Mui Fa or Plum flower symbolised the first month of the year in ancient China. The plum flower will blossom before all others. The flowers even emerge before its own leaves appear, usually before the snow has melted completely. In Taoist philosophy, the use of the flower represents the overcoming of the strong’ (Yin) by the weak and newly born (Yan).
The Wing Chun custom, which is a little different from more common Chinese cultural traditions, the five petals symbolise five of nature’s elements (or, more precisely, the five types of natural energy), water, wood, fire, earth, and metal.
In short, the plumb flower represents Strength in the face of adversity.
The knives, known as Wing Chun Butterfly Knives.
The form that you learn is called the Bart Cham Dao. It’s meaning, literally, eight cutting knives. Baat is the number 8, Cham is to cut or slash and Dao refers to a single-edged blade like a knife or sword.
Chinese Lettering. This lettering was personally written for me by my senior Kung Fu brother Kwok Wan and simply says Wing Chun Kung Fu.