Library › 9. History › History of the martial arts
Historical background
- Earliest evidence: around 2000 BC on Sumerian tablets in Baghdad.
- Further evidence: around 1300 BC in Egypt.
- Greek Pankration (“all-out fighting”) has been practised since about 650 BC.
- Soldiers of Alexander the Great brought these practices to India. There they blended with Hindu methods – wrestling, striking, kicking as well as yoga and breathing exercises. (This chain is not historically documented.)
- Migrations, wars and trade carried the Indian fighting techniques to China, where they mixed with the first Kung Fu styles (Kung Fu = “hard work”).
In the Shaolin monastery (“small forest”)
According to tradition, Bodhidharma, son of a Hindu prince, arrived at a Chinese monastery around 527 AD after many years of wandering and taught the monks Indian martial arts. This is traditionally seen as the origin of the martial arts as still practised today. Recorded in five “forms”, this was – according to tradition – the beginning of the animal styles: tiger, crane, leopard, snake and dragon.
Note: that Bodhidharma taught martial arts is considered a legend; the oldest testimony for it is the Yijin Jing from the 17th century.
Spread
Through trade, migrations and other contacts, the Chinese styles reached various countries and influenced the following martial arts, still practised today:
- Korean Taekwondo
- Vietnamese Viet Vo Dao (Vovinam)
- Thai Muay Thai
- Malay Bersilat
- Indonesian Pencak Silat (Pentjak Silat)
- various Japanese close-combat systems
Martial arts worldwide
The martial arts have their roots in the ancient civilisations of the world and originally served self-defence, preparation for war and spiritual development. Early forms can be found as far back as the Stone Age, when primitive weapons and techniques were used for hunting and protection. In Asia, especially in China, India and Japan, systematic systems developed: Chinese Quan Fa emerged more than 4,000 years ago and influenced many other styles, while in India Kalaripayattu is considered one of the oldest martial arts, integrating elements of yoga and medicine. In Europe, alongside Pankration, there were medieval fencing arts. Over the centuries, influences blended through trade, wars and migrations. In the 20th century the martial arts became globalised, with the founding of organisations such as the UFC for Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), which combine traditional and modern elements. Today they include disciplines such as judo, taekwondo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and karate, which cultivate not only physical strength but also discipline, respect and mental balance.