Wushu, Chinese martial arts, known in the West as Kungfu, is a cultural heritage of the Chinese people which has been enriched through the ages. With its graceful movements and salubrious effects on health, it has a strong appeal to a vast multitude of people.
The origin of Wushu may be traced back to prehistoric times when our ancestors used stones and wooden clubs in hunting, both for subsistence and self-defence. In tribal strife’s they used their tools of production as weapons of war. During the Shang (17th—16th Century BC) and Zhou (11th century –221BC) dynasties, with the development of productive forces, especially that of techniques in bronze casting, the variety of weapons increased and their quality improved.

In the Jin(265-439) and Southen and Northen (420—581) dynasties Wushu came under the influence of Buddhism and Daoism.
Chinese Wushu is more than Kungfu. It embodies a profound philosophy and a sense of human life and social values. It is the summation of the code of conduct for the adjustment of the relationships between man and man and between man and nature. Wushu emphasizes tradition, experience and rational knowledge, all of which are clearly reflected in the martial ethics of wushu. Martial ethics advocates respect for human life. In ancient China, human beings were regarded as the most valuable treasure of nature. Man is called one of the “four greats.” Together with heaven, earth and truth, or law of natural activities. Martial ethics requires that a person exercises self-restraint, never abusing his abilities to seek personal gratification or to oppress those weaker than himself. He should seek to uphold justice, remain fearless in the face of brutality, and cultivate modesty and a spirit of cooperation.

Wushu is not only a way to enhance one’s health and skills. Its long association with dance has lent an enriching artistic quality. At the same time, its emphasis on posture, composure, self-control, spirit, and lively exercise imbues it with a beautifying effect on the physic, and a positive effect on the character. These qualities turn wushu into Wuyi-martial artistry.
Wushu enjoys great popularity in China, and it is captivating the attention of more and more in the world because of its uniqueness and charisma originating from the traditional oriental culture.