By Zhang Rui
UTimes YourPace Contributor–
When people think of Wing Chun, a Chinese martial art, they picture Bruce Lee’s lightning-fast hits or Ip Man’s iconic precision. They rarely realize that a woman, not a man, created this martial art. Ng Mui, a Buddhist nun and martial artist, developed Wing Chun centuries ago to prioritize agility, precision, and intelligence over brute strength.
In today’s world, where men still dominate martial arts, two young women in Fuzhou are revisiting their roots—and redefining the concept of strength.
“When people hear I practice Wing Chun, they’re surprised,” said Fang Shujie, 21. “They think it’s something only men do. But they forget—a woman created this. It belongs to us just as much as anyone else.”
Her training partner, 17-year-old Zheng Shanli, sees Wing Chun as more than just a fighting style. “It’s not about strength; it’s about control,” she said. “It’s about knowing yourself, trusting yourself, and carrying yourself differently.”
The Power of ‘Little Idea’
The core of Wing Chun lies in its most essential form, Xiao Nian Tou (小念头). This translates to “Little Idea.” It forms the foundation for all other techniques, but it is also, in many ways, a philosophy.
“The first thing we learn isn’t how to fight—it’s how to focus,” Zheng said. “You can’t move forward without first learning to quiet your mind. That’s what ‘Little Idea’ teaches us.”
Practitioners perform the form in stillness, refining balance, precision, and patience. Many might consider it passive. But in reality, it is where strength begins.
“It’s about understanding your own power,” Fang explained. “In a fight, you don’t throw wild punches. You wait, you read, you react. That’s the lesson of ‘Little Idea’—and it applies to everything in life.”
Beyond Legacy: Defining Strength for the Present
For these young women, Wing Chun isn’t just about honoring tradition—it’s about reshaping what strength means today.
“People expect strength to be loud, to be aggressive,” Zheng said. “But I think true strength is quiet. It’s knowing you have power, even when you don’t need to use it.”
She recalled how practicing Wing Chun changed her. “I used to be insecure, unsure of myself. But when I started training, I realized that strength isn’t about size or muscles—it’s about presence. It’s about the way you hold yourself.”
Fang sees Wing Chun as a way to break free from expectations. “It’s not just about fighting—it’s about confidence,” she said. “Before, I worried about how people saw me. Now, I don’t need validation. I know who I am.”
Courage, Beauty, and the Art of Wing Chun
Both women believe martial arts and femininity can go together.“People think strength and beauty are separate,” Zheng said. “However, they are identical. A woman is lovely when she is strong. She shines when she is self-assured.”
For Fang, Wing Chun has become a way to embrace both. “When I train, I don’t feel like I’m choosing between being strong or feminine,” she said. “I feel like I’m choosing both.”
“Wing Chun isn’t about men or women,” Fang explained. “It’s about knowing yourself. And that’s the most powerful thing of all.” Their journey is about more than simply learning to fight—it’s about reclaiming a martial art that was always meant for them.
