Contents
Liu Wen Hua was the son of the famous Xing Yi Boxer, Liu Qi Lan. Liu Wen Hua’s book, A Detailed Collection of Xing Yi Quan Skills, is a gem. More than a mere how-to manual showing posture and form, the book gives practical descriptions on the internal actions and feelings inherent in the physical movements.
This first excerpt begins Liu’s discussion of the 12 Animals of Xing Yi Quan.
Long Xing: Dragon
The dragon is most skillful of all animals in extending (expansion) and retracting (contraction) and in its undetectable changes and transformations. It is said: the dragon possesses the method of gathering in (contracting) the bones. If we desire to imitate its shape to win victory, the tendons and bones of the entire body will benefit.
Therefore, in training the dragon style, one can perceive the strength in the crouching body posture and especially the strength exerted by the knees. Rising up relies on the waist. If there is not vertical (erecting) strength in the waist, it is not possible to expand and contract (extend and retract), change and transform or use whole body power.
Starting from the splitting fist, clench the two hands into fists and then pull the left hand backward to drill upward in front of the heart. At the same time, uplift the left leg to shrink the whole body, crouching downward to the left side, with the right hand and left foot turning outward in a twisting action facing forward. Then, drill upward, with the right hand stretching and opening the whole body upward, and then immediately shrink the body downward to the right side, with the right foot and left hand turning outward in a twisting action. In this way, one [action] is continually linked to the next.
龍形
龍之爲物，最擅長者在能伸縮、自由变化不測。譜云：龍有搜骨之法。吾人欲效其形而制勝，非週身筋骨利便不可。故練龍形，惟覺身伏時力多在腿，而兩膝最爲吃力。起時，則多在腰，非腰有竪力不能，至其伸縮变化則又必用全身之力也。劈拳開勢，兩手握拳，左手收回由前心上攒。同時，左腿提起，渾身一齊收縮下伏身向左，右手舆左足在前作拗勢，左足外横，再将右手上攒，浑身展開，上縱卽時落下身向右。右足舆左手在前亦作拗勢，右脚外横，如是連接不斷。
Hu Xing: Tiger
The tiger’s pouncing power is most powerful. It is irresistibly fierce and unstoppable. When training the tiger form, in order to be capable of pouncing forward powerfully, all depends on the buttocks (and hips). The buttocks uplift the strength of the lower body, sending it upward and forward, transmitting the strength of the whole body from the back up to the brain. From the brain it pours downward to pounce. If one does not understand the buttock power, one cannot train this method. In training this method, start with the splitting fist and move the right hand forward to connect with the left hand. Clench the two hands into fists and then immediately to pull them back to the rib side, and walk forward with a quick step.
It is said: that the tiger is powerful and brave in pouncing on its prey. As the two hands drill upward, drop the shoulders and raise the hands forward at the level of the mouth before the palms issue outward and drop, moving in coordination with the left foot. Then the left foot inch steps and both hands pull back to the rib side. The right foot steps forward and he two hands drill upward to release the palms downward in coordination with the right foot. In this way left and right sides are continuously linked and unbroken.
虎形
虎之爲撲力最强，所向無前，猛不可擋。吾人練虎形，所以能前撲有力者，其要點皆在於臀。惟臀将下之力向上一提，将後之力向前一送，方能将週身之力自背而達於腦，由腦而下注於一撲。非领会臀力不得練此法也。
練法以劈拳開勢，右手向前，舆左手齊。兩手握拳，卽時撤回肋下，疾步前進。譜云：所谓虎有撲食之勇者是也。兩手上攒，肩膀下垂，抬手舆口平，前出放掌，落下舆左足相顧。左足寸步，兩手撤回肋下，右足前進，兩手上攒，放掌落下舆右足相顧。如是左右，連接不斷。
Huo Xing: Monkey
The monkey lives in mountain forests. Climbing and jumping are its special skills. Therefore when practicing the monkey form, there must be nimble and agile shen fa [1] in jumping and leaping. It is said: that the monkey is jumps and leaps up the mountain. [2] The right hand extends and the left leg lifts; the left hand extends and the right leg lifts. When striking, there must be strength in the knee.
In training this method, start with the splitting fist. The left hand drills upward and the left foot steps out with an inch step. The right foot goes inward and forward. If the left foot retreats, the right foot also retreats. The right and left hands follow the retreating steps with splitting fists. The whole body contracts (shrinks) into a small posture, and the whole body stretches (unfolds) to leap up. The left leg lifts and the right hand extends outward to the level of the nose. The left hand goes out over the right hand to split in coordination with the left foot. Then turn the body around. The training method is same for both the left and right sides. In this style the neck erects, the teeth knock, [3] the eyes are sharp and spirited, and leaping and jumping must be agile and nimble.
[1] Literally: “body method.” The body actions or methods (both internal and external), of maneuvering the body in self-defense.
[2] The monkey is said to have an agile body and a nimble mind. Therefore it is spontaneous, watchful and opportunistic.
[3] This refers to the a the Eight Necessities in Xing Yi: “touch the teeth together to enable qi to flow to the bone marrow.”
猴形
猴生長山林，攀援跳躍乃其長技。故練猴形须跳跃敏捷，身法靈便。譜云：猴有蹤山之靈，惟旣蹤之後。右手伸則左腿提，左手伸則右腿提。打時尤非膝力不可。練法以劈拳開勢，左手上攅，左足作外行寸步，右足内行進步，而左足退右足亦退，左右手各隨退步作劈拳勢，全身收縮作小勢，然後躥跳而前，全身展開，左腿提起，右手前伸舆鼻齊，左手劈出舆左足齊，落右手上。攅身向後轉。練法左右相同。此拳練時以項竪、齒叩、目靈、躥跳敏捷爲要也。
Ma Xing: Horse
It is said that the horse form is characterized by hoof power [galloping]. When the horse gallops, the rear hooves pass in front of the front hooves. In the martial arts, this ability is imitated. When training the horse style, one must press [1] down with the rear foot in order to walk forward with the front foot and then forcefully step and press [2] forward with the rear foot. This is called the quickstep.
In training, start with the splitting fist. Clench both hands into fists and walk forward with the left foot first. The right foot follows quickly. Simultaneously lift the left foot to the level of the shin bone of the right leg. As [the body suddenly] stops, the right hand bursts (beng) outward, while the left hand withdraws to the side of the right wrist.
Then the left foot goes forward, striking with the bursting fist in accordance with the posture. Then the right foot and right hand form the gathering fist posture. The left and right movements are trained in the same way and are continuously linked and unbroken.
[1] 蹬 Deng, can mean “to pedal” or “press down” with the foot.
[2] 擁 Yong, in this context means “to gather,” “rush in,” “crowd in,” or “press forward.”
馬形
馬形譜云：马有蹟蹄之功。蹟蹄者，馬走極快之時，後蹄能過前蹄。數武此其長也。練馬形時，须後足向後一蹬，前足前進，後足再極力向前擁進。此步名曰疾步。練法以劈拳開勢，兩手握拳，先進左足，右足疾進。立定，右手崩出，左手撤附右手腕上，左足提起舆右脛骨平，再進左足，打作順勢崩拳。然後右足、右手作攅拳勢。此後練法左右相同，如是連接不斷。
Tuo Xing: Alligator
Tuo Xing [1] is like the guard of the palace, and is similar to the alligator. It is said: that Tuo possesses the skill of floating/swimming in water; it is like a fish that swims/floats. It can be seen that the striking method of the alligator is with the elbow. Therefore, it is most important to use the strength of the elbow. It is said: that the elbow is also a “fist”.
In training this method, start with the splitting fist. The thumb and forefinger stretch open, the other [fingers] roll and grasp. Drill upward with the left hand close to the body and shake the upper arm and kua, moving and leftward diagonally and forward. The left palm center faces outward and the right foot follows lifting to the level of the left shin bone. This is immediately followed by the right hand drilling upward close to the body as the right foot steps forward to the right followed by the left foot which lifts to the level of the right shin bone. The Shen Fa is the same. In this way the left and right sides are trained and are continuously linked and unbroken.
[1] 鮀 Tuo, literally means a “snake-fish”, hence this animal is sometimes called a “water-lizard” or “water-dragon.” In some styles of Xing Yi it is called the turtle style. However most boxers agree that it is probably an alligator or crocodile.
鮀形
鮀形如守宮，當舆鱷相近。譜云：鮀有浮水之精，則其爲善浮之魚類。可知練鮀形時，其打法均用肘，故用力於肘最爲重要。譜云：肘爲一拳者，此也。練法以劈拳開勢，拇食二指伸開，餘皆捲握，左手貼身，上攅搖膀活胯，側身斜步，偏左而進。左手心向外，右足隨之提起，舆左脛骨平，隨卽右手貼身上攅，右足右進，左足隨之提起，舆右脛骨平。身法如一。如是左右連接不斷。
Ji Xing: Chicken/Rooster
It is said: that the rooster is deceptive and courageous in fighting. The deceptive and courageous rooster has the ability to erect the leg [1] and stretch the neck waiting for an opening [2] to enter. Even if blood streams down his face he will not retreat
In training this method, start with the splitting fist. Extend the right hand and draw the left hand back under the ribs as you step the left foot forward in an inch step. The right foot quickly goes forward and then stands still as you levelly lift the left foot. Simultaneously extend the left hand and withdraw the right hand. Advance the left foot forward, dropping down the right hand and right foot to strike out with Splitting Fist. Then, extend the left hand and draw the right hand back under the ribs as you step the right foot forward in an inch step. The left foot quickly goes forward and then stand still and levelly lift the right foot. Simultaneously extend the right hand and withdraw the left hand. Step the right foot forward, dropping down the left hand and left foot to strike out with Splitting Fist. In this way the left and right sides are trained and are continuously linked and unbroken.
[1] Lift it vertically – the so-called “chicken leg.”
[2] a gap, a crack, or an unoccupied space.
鶏形
譜云：鶏有欺鬬之勇。夫所谓欺鬬之勇者，竪腿伸頸，伺隙而進，血流被面，不稍退却之謂也。練法劈拳開勢，右手前伸，左手撤回肋下，左足向前寸步，右足疾進，立定，左足平提。同時左手前伸，右手撤回。左足前進，落下，右手、右足作劈拳勢打出。左手前伸，右手撤回肋下，右足寸步，左足疾進，立定，右足平提。同時右手前伸，左手撤回。右足前進，落下，左手、左足作劈拳勢打出。如是左右連接不斷。
