I Hands of the Dragon
Traditional Chinese martial terminology is literally a language of its own. Unlike straightforward fighting terms such as jab, uppercut, or knee, classical Chinese employs a sophisticated naming system for nearly every type of strike (da 打), kick (tek 踢), lock (na 拿), or throw (seut 摔). Furthermore, every family method, style, or system has its own set of conventions that do not seem to conform to any specific standards.
For a variety of reasons (ranging from a means of martial recall to encoding applications), the names of Chinese martial techniques provide an essential window into the various applications possible from specific movements. In some cases, the terminology is very simple and direct, such as ping cheui (平搥), literally a level or straight punch. In others,…
