Meihuaquan

Meihua Quan (Chinese: 梅花拳; literally "Plum-blossom Fist") is a common term used to name styles or exercise sets of kung fu:

There are many Meihuaquan that have same origins: Ganzhi Wushi Meihuazhuang, Baijiazhi Meihuaquan, Luodi Meihuaquan, Wuzi Meihuaquan, Leijia Meihuaquan, etc. There are various traditions regarding the foundation of this style; it is said that Meihuaquan has no single founder.

Ganzhi wushi meihuazhuang (干支五式梅花桩, Plum-blossom Pillars of Stems and Branches) is a branch of Meihuaquan, shortened to Meihuazhuang (Plum-blossom Pillars). Ganzhi is a contraction of Tiangan Dizhi, or more fully Tiangan Dizhi Wushi Meihuazhuang. The eighth-generation master Zhang Congfu created a new kind of practise called Xiaojia (Little Frame) as opposed to the older style known as Dajia (Big Frame). Meihuazhuang is divided into two parts: Wenchang (literary) encompasses theory; Wuchang (martial) encompasses techniques such as Jiazi (frame), Shoutao (sparring exercise to teach combat skills), Chengquan (combat choreography), Yingquan (combat), and Gongquan and Ningquan (moving in war). Jiazi is characterized by five static positions (Wushi: 五式, five patterns; or 五势, five postures) intermixed with dynamic motion (Xingbu, 行步), and consisting of light rapid footwork and large flowing movements. With a simple expansive posture and built-in poise, Meihuaquan releases and strengthens the flow of energy to increase concentration of the mind. The basic training methods of Meihuaquan are simple, strong, relaxed, and highly adaptable.

"Meihuazhuang" ("pillars of plum-blossom") is a shortened form of "ganzhi wushi meihuazhuang" ("trunks, branches and five forms on pillars of meihua plum"), this style also being known as "meihuaquan" ("fist of meihua plum"). It has more than a thousand-year history. This style originates with monks and belongs to the Kunlun branch of Chinese martial arts. Over a long time it passed from father to son, from son to grandson, only through the male line, which was a reason for the name "fuziquan" ("fist of father and son"). Consequently, although this style is known from ancient times, it spread widely only at the end of the Ming, and the beginning of the Qing, dynasties, in Hebei, Henan, Shandong, and Shanxi provinces.

Baijiazhi Meihuaquan (白家支梅花拳, Bai-family Branch of Plum-blossom Boxing) is a Meihuaquan practised in the southwest part of Shandong Province. It was founded by Bai Jindou (白金斗, Pai Chin-tou, in Wade-Giles), a ninth generation master of Plum Blossom Boxing. In Taiwan this school is called Beipai Shaolin Meihuaquan (北派少林梅花拳, Plum Blossom Boxing of Shaolin Northern Faction) or Meihuamen( 梅花门, Plum Blossom School). Jiazi of this school are referred to as Meihuaquan Laojia (Old Frame of Plum Blossom Boxing). While studying this set, disciples often train in pairs—duida (hit in pair) and duilian (train in pair)—with and without weapons. At the basic level, duida are only for two opponents and of two kinds: hand-and-kick techniques, or falling techniques. At intermediate level, disciples practise combat against two to five people. At the advanced level, they may study war and Meihua Zhen Gong Fang (梅花陣攻防, Plum Blossom's Arrays).

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