History of Martial Arts
Did it start in China? Did it start in India? Where did it all start?
There are varying ideas of where and when. You will or have read few accounts that date martial arts long ago as I believe. I would argue that it started around The Paleolithic Age which was more than one-million years long, and over two million years ago. Cave depictions of man using rudimentary tools and weapons and imagery of fighting and hunting date this far. The idea of “fight or flight” being innate tells me that martial cannot be dated accurately. The ability to fight (protect/defend/attack) goes back as far as we understand our existence. The concept of fighting and hunting was passed from father to son…all survival mechanisms.
“Evidence for human fighting goes back 430,000 years ago in Spain, where a fossil skull was found with two fractures apparently caused by the same object, implying an intentional lethal attack. Another record of early human fighting is one that happened 9500–10,500 years ago in Nataruk, Kenya.”
Historians have acquired depictions of fighting and wrestling from 3400 BC in Africa and Egypt.
About 2560-2540 BC when the ancient Egyptian Pyramids were constructed, we’ve discovered more evidence of martial arts.
One thing you will find in your historic journey of martial arts, is that just about all of the arts, WHEN they started and where, well, the information is not consistent. I am not steadfast on what this book provides when it comes to history as gospel. But I am comfortable saying that it all started a long time ago.
Wing Chun
“Wing Chun, also recognized as Ving Tsun or Wing Tsun, is a concept-based Chinese martial art and form of self-defense utilizing both striking and grappling while specializing in real world, close-range combat. The alternative characters 永春 "eternal spring" are also associated with some other southern Chinese martial arts, including Weng Chun Kungfu and White Crane Weng Chun.”
One of the recent greats of Wing Chun history is IP man was also one of Bruce Lees teachers.
Masters used to take on an apprentice and train them in their homes. The arts were not typically put on paper. They were taught verbally, oral tradition, and through hands on training, applications and exercises.
Muay Thai
Records containing much of its history was destroyed in the 14th century. So, the beginning is somewhat of a mystery. Striking in Muay Thai includes elbows, knees, kicks and punching. Depending on the school and region, emphasis on weapons (strikes) vary.
Taekwondo
“Three Kingdoms Era: Taekwondo history starts with the establishment of three kingdoms in the Korean peninsula:
Silla, founded in 57 B.C., lasted until 936 A.D.
Koguryo, founded in 37 B.C., conquered by Silla in 668 A.D.
Paekje, founded in 18 B.C., conquered by Silla in 660 A.D”
It is said that the soldiers of Silla were taught a basic form of martial arts from the Paekje soldiers to protect their people and land from Northern Korea.
Taekwondo is yet another martial art originating in Korea about 2000 years ago with much Japanese influence. It is a self-defense based martial art involving kicks and punches with an estimated 60 percent of attacks or defenses being kicks (many to the head) and hands being about 40 percent of the art. Karate is the opposite, and these numbers are reflected in forms or katas in each art. The exact date it began is again, unknown.
Taekwondo, Tae Kwon Do or Taekwon-Do is a Korean form of martial arts, characterized by punching and kicking techniques, with emphasis on head-height kicks, jumping spinning kicks, and fast kicking techniques. The literal translation for tae kwon do is "kicking," "punching," and "the art or way of."
Boxing/ Pugilism
Boxing was established as an Olympic Game in 688 BC. There is also evidence of it in ancient Mesopotamia almost 14,000 years ago. Some say the Iron age was when boxing made its mark. In ancient Greece a form of boxing was called Pyx (‘with clenched fist’).
Tang Soo Do
Development during the Tang Dynasty in Ancient China. Again, specifics are difficult to pinpoint. Moo Duk Kwan is the name of the style or organization by founder Grandmaster Hwang Kee. The literal translation is Institute of Martial Virtue.
The short list above is currently some of the popular martial arts today. There are many other arts.
Heart, mind, body and spirit are all weapons of destruction and tools of love.
Summary
I would like to make a comparison. If you have explored the history ir when religion started, it is said that it started when the first person stared at the sky and wondered about their existence. I also share in the beginning thought, that martial arts/fighting began the first day that man began to hunt, gather and protect.