A BRIEF HISTORY OF KUNG FU RUSSELL SUTHERN The history of Kung Fu is a difficult subject for several reasons: Many Chinese histories are oral in tradition, rather than being written down. Often this was to preserve secrecy but also because many ancient Chinese were illiterate, especially in the rural areas. When stories are passed [...]

China extends for over 1000 miles from North to South and from East to West. Mountain ranges separate river valleys, which provide habitable areas. The first human settlements became established in these river valleys. There are two river systems, which flow east through China, the Yellow River in the North and the Yangzi River in [...]

An Article by Shafagh Amiraftabi Suthern Instructor Worthing, Shoreham, Arundel The Three Sovereigns The Three Sovereigns (also known as the Three August Ones) 2852-2255 BCE preceded the Xia/ Hsia Dynasty 2205-1766 BCE. They were God-like Kings who created peace and harmony. Fu Hsi/ FuXi Heavenly Sovereign Nuwa Earthly Sovereign Shennong Human Sovereign Fu Hsi/ FuXi [...]

The Five Emperors 2852-2255 BCE The Five Emperors preceded the Xia/ Hsia Dynasty 2205-1766 BCE. After Nuwa had created the human race on earth, the Gods began to take an interest in the World below them. Five of these Gods came down to earth. The Yellow Emperor Huang Ti/ Di – Emperor of the Centre [...]

There are many variations to the legend of the creation of White Crane & many different spellings of the names involved. The account portrayed here is one of the most popular & widespread. About 350 years ago in the turbulent period straddling the Ming & Ching dynasties, there lived a Shaolin practitioner called Fang Zhang [...]

The History of China Part 4 An Article by Shafagh Amiraftabi Suthern WCMA Instructor Worthing, Shoreham, Arundel Pre Xia/Hsia Dynasty (2255 BCE-2205 BCE) King Yao and Emperor Shun were genuine historical characters who were endowed with super human strength and magical skills. This is the Chinese mythological tradition of mixing fact and fiction, myth and [...]

An Article by Shafagh Amiraftabi Suthern WCMA Instructor Worthing, Shoreham, Arundel Xia/Hsia Dynasty (2205BCE-1766BCE) Yu the Great Ruled for 45 years Emperor Shun of the Pre Xia dynasty appointed Yu to tackle the floods, Yu travelled through land dredging channels which became rivers of North China. Before the Xia dynasty armed conflict existed between warring [...]

In my many travels to the Far East and to the Middle Kingdom, in my studies over the years, extensive reading and research, I have come across many interesting and colourful characters some based in myth and legend, some historical and some I have met personally.  The Empress Dowager is most certainly at the top [...]