Five Elders
Chinese少林五祖

In Southern Chinese folklore, the Five Elders of Shaolin (Chinese: 少林五祖; pinyin: Shàolín wǔ zǔ; Jyutping: Siu3 lam4 ng5 zou2), also known as the Five Generals are the survivors of one of the destructions of the Shaolin temple by the Qing Dynasty, variously said to have taken place in 1647 or in 1732.

The original Shaolin Monastery was built on the north side of Shaoshi Mountain, the central peak of Mount Song, one of the sacred mountains of China, located in the Henan Province, by Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty in 477. At various times throughout history, the monastery has been destroyed (burned down) for political reasons, and rebuilt many times.[1]

A number of traditions also make reference to a Southern Shaolin Monastery located in Fujian province.[2][3] Associated with stories of the supposed burning of Shaolin by the Qing government and with the tales of the Five Elders, this temple, sometimes known by the name Changlin, is often claimed to have been either the target of Qing forces or a place of refuge for monks displaced by attacks on the original Shaolin Monastery. Besides the debate over the historicity of the Qing-era destruction, it is unknown whether there was a true southern temple, with several locations in Fujian given as the site for the monastery. Fujian does have a historic monastery called Changlin, and a monastery referred to as a "Shaolin cloister" has existed in Fuqing, Fujian, since the Song Dynasty. Whether these have any actual connection to the Henan monastery or a martial tradition is still unknown.[4]

The Five Elders of Shaolin

Within many martial arts circles, the original Five Elders of Shaolin are said to be:

Traditional ChineseSimplified ChineseMandarin pinyinCantonese Yale
Ji Sin (Gee Sin)至善禪師至善禅师Zhì Shàn Chán ShīJi Sin Sim SiAlso transliterated as Ji Sin Sim Si, literally, Chan (Zen) teacher" Speculated to be also known as Chi Thien Su.
Ng Mui五梅大師五梅大师Wǔ Méi Dà ShīNg Mui Daai SiNoted for Ng Mui Kuen, Wing Chun Kuen, Dragon style, White Crane, and Five-Pattern Hung Kuen
Bak Mei (Pei Mei)白眉道人白眉道人Bái Méi Dào RénBak Mei Dou YanLiterally "Taoist with White Eyebrows" Speculated to be also known as Chu Long Tuyen.
Fung Dou Dak馮道德冯道德Féng DàodéFung Dou DakTaoist Founder of Bak Fu Pai.
Miu Hin苗顯苗显Miáo XiǎnMiu Hinan "unshaved" (lay) Shaolin disciple

The Five Family Elders

The founders of the five major family styles of Southern Chinese martial arts were all students of Gee Sin (see above), and are sometimes referred to as the Five Elders. This has caused some confusion.

Common EnglishTraditional ChineseSimplified ChineseMandarin pinyinCantonese Yale
Hung Hei (Goon)洪熙官洪熙官Hóng XīguānHung Hei (Goon)founder of Hung Ga
Lau Saam Ngan劉三眼刘三眼Liú SānyǎnLau Saam Nganliterally "Three-Eyes" Lau; founder of Lau Gar
Choi Gau Yi蔡九儀蔡九仪Cài JiǔyíChoi Gau Yifounder of Choi Gar
Lei Yau Saan李友山李友山Lǐ YǒushānLei Yau Saanfounder of Lei Gar; teacher of Choy Li Fut founder Chan Heung
Mok Ching Giu莫清矯莫清矫Mò QīngjiǎoMok Ching Giufounder of Mok Gar

See also

References

  1. Shahar, Meir (December 2001). "Ming-Period Evidence of Shaolin Martial Practice". Harvard Journal of Asiatic Studies. 61 (2): 359–413. doi:10.2307/3558572. ISSN 0073-0548. JSTOR 3558572.
  2. Title: Martial Arts of the World [2 volumes]: An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation, Thomas A. Green (Editor), Joseph R. Svinth (Editor) Page. 94, Hardcover: 663 pages,Publisher: ABC-CLIO (June 11, 2010), Language: English, ISBN 1598842439, ISBN 978-1598842432
  3. "Destruction of shaolin temple". Archived from the original on 2012-11-12. Retrieved 2012-10-16.
  4. Author: Meir Shahar, Publisher: University of Hawaii Press; 1 edition (January 1, 2008), Language: English, ISBN 082483349X, ISBN 978-0824833497

Further reading

  • Chu, Robert; Ritchie, Rene; Wu, Y. (1998). Complete Wing Chun: The Definitive Guide to Wing Chun's History and Traditions. Boston: Tuttle Publishing. ISBN 0-8048-3141-6.
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