There is, unfortunately, no exact or known account of when or who created the basis of Kung Fu. But here, as follows, is one of the various tales:
Kung Fu, or Wushu as it is named in China, literally means "war-art". From the beginning, it was mostly used for self-defense or for health purposes. Today, kung fu is a traditional Chinese sport with strong historical ties, created and developed by the working class. It is a cultural heritage, which can be traced back to ancient days in society where tools, equipment and weapons were used in hunting, self-defense and tribal wars. Archeological findings show that during the Neolithic (New Stone) Age, swords began being used. During the later Neolithic period, a small quantity of bronze swords, lances and halberds appeared. Kung Fu grew with the steady improvement and the greater number of different types of weapons. With time it flourished in form, inner meaning and technique.
According to old stories, Kan Chi Wu was a dance with axe and shield, and Chiaoti was a form of wrestling popular among soldiers. These two martial arts are considered the early forms of Kung Fu/Wushu in the ancient society of China.
With the merging of social classes in society, Kung Fu/Wushu became significant among the lower classes for defending themselves against the ruling classes. Frequent wars led to weapon improvements, while military exercises were added to Kung Fu. Since Kung Fu was also beneficial for health, it started drawing public attention. Historical stories show that "punch and confidence/trust exercises" were practiced in slave societies during the Shang Dynasty (approx. 1600-1100 BC) and individual or group exercises with weapons were performed during Zhou Dynasty (approx.1100-221 BC).
The bronze swords manufactured during the period of Eastern Zhou (770-221 BC) were approximately the same in form as those manufactured "today".
During the feudal Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC), Chiaoti became the leading military sport. Shoupo (combat with bare hands) and sword-acts were introduced during the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD). The spinning halberd was a predecessor to the "flying fork", a modern Kung Fu exercise. The sword-acts and sword dancing also won popularity during the Sui and Tang Dynasties (581-907 AD).
During the Song Dynasty (960-1279) ,a form of boxing was invented in the province of Sichuan and Hsiangpu (the forerunner to the Japanese Sumo). The dominant form of combat of the Yuan Dynasty (the Mongol reign) was pair-exercises, such as spear and shield towards sword and shield. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1911 AD), Kung Fu had branched itself into different schools and styles as a result of various exercises with and without weapons.
With the invention of firearms, Kung Fu's role within the military gradually declined. But due to its benefits and value for the people, its influence has remained strong. It won great popularity among the people and many different styles were founded and flourished, while the technical standards improved. Kung Fu broke away from wrestling, weightlifting and archery, becoming a sport of it's own.
Historical facts show that Kung Fu is far from an imaginary creation of gods and heroes but rather a crystallization of the people's hard work, wisdom, experiences and struggles in life throughout the centuries.
The ruling social classes in society, in an attempt to increase their rule and power, purposely discarded facts and said that kung fu was founded by Buddha and created in temples and monasteries. Thus, in semi-colonial and semi-feudal China, the development of Kung Fu was severely hindered.
Conversely, Guomindang bestowed great honor upon Kung Fu/Wushu as a national art and founded a special institution to retain it's monopoly. But in fact, they discriminated against popular Kung Fu actions. As the rulers of the past had done before them, they associated Kung fu with feudal morals and superstitious ideas. Thus in sectarian ways, they drove the counties and the Kung Fu enthusiasts apart from each other.
It was only after the people's republic had been formed that Kung Fu/Wushu regained its true form. Led by Chairman Mao's teachings to promote physical education and sports in order to build the people's health, the government valued Kung Fu/Wushu as one of the country's national sports and did much to support its development. Today more and more people practice Kung Fu for self-defense and its beneficial health effects.
In 1953, a national sports-meeting was held that laid the foundation for further studies and improvements within Kung Fu. In 1995, the Chinese Culture and Sports committee started a systematic investigation to discover more forms of the art and improve them according to the party's politics on cultural heritage.
