A Brief History
An often-overlooked aspect of martial arts is that they often reflect a part of a country's heritage, history, and culture. Some martial art styles can trace back their histories for hundreds, and in some cases, thousands of years.
The development of Karate as a form of unarmed combat is, in large part, due to the ban on carrying weapons imposed during the 16th Century. Many of Karate’s techniques have been influenced by Chinese martial arts, brought by merchants and travelers from the Asian mainland. Karate is now predominantly a striking art using punching, kicking, knee strikes, elbow strikes, and open-hand techniques such as knife hands, spear hands, and palm-heel strikes. Historically, and in some modern styles, grappling, throws, joint locks, restraints, and vital-point strikes are also taught.
Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art disguised as a dance and performed to musical instruments and traditional Brazilian songs. Capoeira developed in Brazil, derived from traditions brought across the Atlantic Ocean by enslaved Africans and fueled by the burning desire for freedom. There is a big emphasis on constantly moving as it means if you stop moving then you can be easily caught. During its creation, the martial art was considered a social infirmity and officially prohibited by the Brazilian Penal Code. The identification of “the outlaw” with capoeira was so widespread that the word became a synonym for “bum,” “bandit,” and “thief.” However, that did not stop the capoeiristas from practicing. They moved to marginal places and camouflaged martial art as a form of dance.
Animal influences in Kung fu
The main animal styles focused on their practice and taking inspiration from their respective animals.
Tiger - Techniques emphasize its powerful open-handed blows; it's ripping, gouging, slashing, and raking that are used to devour an opponent
Snake - Low-level stances, rapid attacking strikes, and moves that imitate its hypnotic poise
Monkey - Rolling, falling, biting, jumping, gripping, and throwing punches and kicks up from the ground
Mantis - grasping, throwing, locking off, and its unique light footwork
Crane - blocks and parries, winged thrusts and strikes, open and closed beak strikes, and high crane kicks
Eagle - Pinpoint strikes, grabs, chokes, rips, and tears focus on the weaker areas of the body such as the vital organs and pressure points
Dragon - an array of techniques that include footwork, kicking, locking, clawing, and striking
Leopard - places emphasis on the element of speed