The history behind Wing Tsjun

It is widely held that a nun called Ng Mui used to live at the Monastery during the Qing Dynasty, which ran from 1662 to 1722.

Master in many martial arts, Ng Mui was said to have been searching for a style that would enable women, who during the Civil War were often victims of abuse and violence, to protect themselves against physically stronger male attackers. Legend also has it that she was also looking for a way to fight against practitioners of the Shaolin style that was popular at the time.

Legend has it that Ng Mui, the abbot, Master Chi Sim and most of the students, Master Pak Mei, Master Fung To Tak and Master Mui Hin, managed to survive at catastrophic attack on the Monastery, and went on to become the leaders of the five Shaolin Styles. They were known as ‘The Five Elders.

There is a specific story about how Wing Tsjun got it’s name from a young female student, who was taught by the nun.

After the destruction of the monastery the nun Ng Mui was said to have settled at the Temple of the White Crane, by the mountain Tai Leung, where she was able to continue practicing her martial arts.

In a nearby village a girl called Yim Wing Tsjun and her father Yim Lee, lived and sold tofu at the market. Yim Wing Tsjun attracted the attention of a well-known trouble maker in the village who harassed and pestered her to take up with him, even though she was betrothed.

Exasperated, Wong sent someone to give her an ultimatum and threaten her and her father with violence if they didn’t obey.

Ng Mui, a regular visitor to the market, noticed Yim Wing Tsjun and her father were worried and when the young woman confessed her problem she offered to teach her the Martial arts form she had developed.

Some believe Yim Wing Tsjun studied for a year and defeated Wong, others say she studied for three years, but whichever version is true, legend says Wing Tsjun returned home to her village from the Temple of the White Crane, Wong threatened her again, but this time she challenged him to a fight - and won.

Yim Wing Tsjun continued refining and simplifying the principles of the art and it was due to her contribution to the style that the name originated from her, even though it was Ng Mui who created it.