White Crane. A comic book/graphic novel written by Zanna Vaughan-Davies and illustrated by Santiago Espina.
'INTERNAL' MARTIAL ARTS
Focussing more on the energetic side of the martial arts, the internal arts were purportedly birthed on by Taoist monks on China's sacred mountains. The three main arts are Tai Chi Chuan, soft but powerful like the waves on the sea, Ba Gua Chuan, spiraling like like a whirlwind, and Hsing Yi, which rolls over it's enemies like a giant stone boulder. As well as these three main boxing systems are the 'hybrid' arts, which combine the control of 'qi', the vital life source of the body and the use of muscular power. The Chinese internal/external arts include Southern Mantis, Pak Mei (white eyebrow) and, of course, White Crane.
WHITE CRANE BOXING
Puportedly invented by a young girl after praying to the spirit of a white crane to guide her boxing – that girl's name was Fang Chi.
The 'wings' of white crane
A White Crane master in a 'piercing' posture.
|
Fang Chi in full 'White Crane' mode showing
her 'piercing' palm. |
TAI CHI CHUAN – Grand Ultimate Boxing
The most famous of the internal martial arts, it is represented in the story by Mu the Nanny.
Peng – 'ward off'
Tai Chi's primary energy of peng (ward off) demonstrated
by Master Chen on Alex Kozma. |
The same move performed by Mu
the nanny on an attacking serpent monk. |
HSING YI CHUAN – Form Mind Boxing
Famous for its 'five element fists', Hsing Yi is represented in the story by Wang the Guardian of the Watchtower.
San ti – '3 trinity posture'
Wang Shu Jin showing Hsing Yi's primary defensive posture.
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Wang the Guardian of the Watchtower in the same posture.
|
BA GUA CHUAN – Eight Trigram Boxing
Also known as 'the art of change', Ba Gua is represented in the story by Chi's teacher Sun the Immortal.
Circle walking
Famous for its spiraling practice of 'walking the circle', Ba Gua's exercise is demonstrated here by Master He of Taiwan.
|
Sun helping Chi's own transformation into
the white crane by walking the circle. |
