Monday, August 25, 2014

Little Lohan Fist 小羅漢拳


The Lohan Fist was evolved from the Eighteen Lohan Hands by retired generals at the Shaolin Temple, and became the prototype of Shaolin Kungfu. This evolution was not directed or intentional, but spontaneous and haphazard. As there were many martial monks modifying the chi kung exercises of the Eighteen Lohan Hands for their individual martial needs over a long history of time, there were many different versions of the Lohan Fist.

It was recorded in Shaolin classics that originally there were 18 patterns in the initial versions of the Eighteen-Lohan Fist, modified from the 18 patterns of the Eighteen Lohan Hands. But by the time of the Tang Dynasty in the 7th century, many versions of the Lohan Fist had 108 patterns. The original and shorter versions were called Little Lohan Fist, or Xiao Luohanquan" in Chinsee, and the longer versions Great Lohan Fist, or Da Luohanquan".

The Lohan Fist developed into a style by itself, with 10 different sets, conveniently named First Set Lohan Fist, Second Set Lohan Fist, etc. On the other hand, there were also Lohan Fist with special features or from different kungfu styles, like Subduing Dragon Lohan Fist, Taming Tiger Lohan Fist, Big Bell Lohan Fist, White Crane Lohan Fist and Drunken Lohan Fist.

The Little Lohan Fist shown here is created by Grandmaster Wong from his wide and deep understanding and practice of Shaolin Kungfu. Can you tell from which chi kung patterns of the Eighteen Lohan Hands are these Lohan Fist patterns evolved?