(a post from Mr. Chapél on Facebook, July 2022)
As a "greeting" or acknowledgment of another person, the left hand simply "covers" the closed right fist and there is no footwork involved. Think of it as similar to a "bow" used in Japanese Culture. However, it is presented differently when used as a part of the Traditional Chinese Martial Salute. Beginning "covered" with a right clenched fist over (not below) your right shoulder as you step forward into a "twist stance," you begin "covered." From there as you step out into a cat stance the left hand opens as your hands come forward to display the now uncovered fist. From this position, both hands are thrust forward to an individual or moved from side-to-side to a group displaying the fist thus announcing your intentions to "display" your knowledge or to "challenge" those it is directed towards.
The Ed Parker Kenpo Salute (and Salutation) are a combination of the "old and the new.” Divided into two parts (Salute and Salutation), they are interchangeable depending on the circumstances in which they are used. The salute honors the originators of the science, the Chinese.
Before the establishment of what was called "Shaolin," a left hand “grasping” a clenched right fist was used as a greeting. It is a gesture that says, "I am friendly and unarmed." When the left hand however is “open” and resting on a clenched fist, it is then considered a “salute." So, if you are greeting someone and showing respect, the left hand “covers” your right hand. When the left hand is “open” and resting on the right clenched fist to indicate a forthcoming “expression” of the science, friendly or otherwise. Some of the meanings of these gestures are:
(1) Respect to the originator of the particular system, including all who had studied before him, with him, and presently study under him.
(2) Respect to those who would observe the movements.
(3) Respect to both scholars and warriors who were practitioners alike, since the left hand (open) of this salutation represented the scholar and the right hand (clenched), means the men who actually executed the science.
During the period of the Shaolin in the Ch'ing Dynasty, the meaning of the gestures changed when two additional movements were added.
The change was that the left hand represented the sun, the right hand the moon. With this change, the combination of sun and moon represented the Chinese character Ming, thus meaning "revolutionary defenders for the cause of the Ming restoration." The two additional movements that were added to the sun and the moon were formed by placing the back of the hands together with both palms out. The fingers at this point were in a claw-like- fashion and raised to the chest and heart. This gesture meant, "We are against foreign invasion and our hearts are for China." The last movement was to clench both hands and draw them to the sides of the waist. This pulling gesture meant, "By pulling and working together we can take our country back."
The Hungs, who were secret triad societies in China, perpetuated these movements. In short, "Scholar and warrior united together, back to back, pulling together, to defend against the foreign intruders.” The variations arise from practitioners over the years adding "flair" for competition presentations or simply to be different from others, but the Traditional Chinese Methodology is steeped in Traditional Symbolism therefore there is the way of its origin, and the way many have chosen to do it.
Personally, because I cam from a Traditional Chinese background, I stay with the tradition but no one is going to castigate someone for their own interpretations.
No comments:
Post a Comment