Wu Xing Wing Chun Kung Fu Association

Origins

 

The Wi Xing Wing Chun Kung Fu Association was founded in March 2013 by five former students of Grandmaster Nam Anh. The founders Yannick Gravel, Richard Noel, Patrick Fulop, Vasan Selliah and David Bessette share the same vision of the teaching methods in traditional Kung Fu. The fundamental guiding priciples the organization are respect, honor and integrity.

The Wu Xing Wing Chun Kung Fu Association’s mission is to promote the traditional martial arts culture, which is rich in teachings, life lessons and in noble values. We will endeavor in the preservation of the traditional values such as courage, intelligence and humanism which makes martial arts practitioners accomplished people, at the service of society.

 

Name

The name “Wu Xing”, meaning “Five elements”  in Chinese, was chosen to emphasize the Vietnamese origins of our branch of Wing Chun (Vinh Xuan), which contains the five animal forms of Shaolin. Each animal is associated with an element, thus forming a complete system of techniques.

 

Logo

The logo represents the origins, the teaching and also the values shared by Wu Xing Wing Chun Kung Fu Association.

The origins are represented foremost by the Ying Yang in the logo, which recalls that the Buddhist origins of the style, which can be traced back to the Shaolin Temple era. Then the apricot blossom reminds us of Ung Mui, the nun who taught our school founder Yim Wing Chun. Also, the flower is the symbol of spring, of renewal which is consistent with the translation of the founder’s name Yim Wing Chun, which means “Eternal spring”.

The teaching, which is separated in three levels of practice, is also represented in the logo; the elements carved in each petal represent the 5 animal techniques, or the physical level; the flower symbolizing vitality and growth represents the energetic level; and the Yin Yang represents the philosophical or spiritual level, which plays a central role in our organization.

Finally,the general aspect of the logo leaves an impression of openness and friendship which characterizes the Association; the flower, symbol of peace, vitality and renewal represents our goals towards peace and growth; the Ying Yang represents our Buddhist values of self-perfection and contribution towards the community, and the incomplete circles surrounding the logo represent the balance found in dynamic movement. The subtle mentioning of combat techniques through the five elements and non-violent image of the logo fits well with the traditional martial attitude of an “iron fist in a velvet glove”.