San Huang Pao Chui

San Huang Pao Chui
三皇炮捶

The Shízìchuí posture ("the cross-shaped fist-hammer") executed by Shifu Yú Decai.
Also known as	Pào Chuí, Pao Chuan
Focus	Striking
Country of origin	China
Creator	Puzhao
Parenthood	Mount Emei Taoist martial art
Descendant arts	Chen-style t'ai chi ch'uan
Olympic sport	No

San Huang Pao Chui (Chinese: 三皇炮捶) literally can be translated in Chinese to Three Emperor Cannon Fist.

San Huang Pao Chui originated from the three emperors Fuxi, Shennong, and Gonggong in China. They were previously known throughout China as the Three August Ones. The popular spread of Pao Chui was in early association with Shaolin and was one of the first ever styles implemented into the Shaolin monastery training regiment. The first Shaolin monk learned this style from martial artists located on Mount Emei. Other local legends believe that the style was formed by Heaven itself, Earth and the human emperors bonding together.

At a festival thrown by the Emperor Gaozu, a Shaolin monk Tanzong gave a demonstration of Pào Chuí.

Chen-style taijiquan includes a Pào Chuí routine in its curriculum.

Around the time of Ming and Qing dynasties, there was a monk by the name of Puzhao whom climbed Mount Emei in the Sichuan province. Upon arrival he became the pupil of a Daoist priest who taught him the first style of Pao Chui. Years later, he finally mastered the art and returned to teach it to Qiao Sanxiu and Gan Fengchi during the reigns of the Kangxi and Yongzheng emperors.

Puzhao taught Qiao to learn soft fluid motions as the core of his form but strength and power as the outward application. On the other hand, he taught Gan to learn strength and power but instead use a supple soft motion as his output. The Gan-Style focused on maintaining a positive life with strong health. Both mental and physical vitality. Between 1736-1795, during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor, Qiao Sanxiu passed what he has learned from Mount Emei to his disciple Qiao Heling. The disciples of Gan Fengchi are unknown to this day.