how do you all think about Wong Fei Hung? he is highly-rated for his noble character, and care towards the common people. he is not much of and influence to the development of chinese history but he is still very famous among chinese.

official website of Wong Fei Hung? with his famous song
www.wongfeihung.com

do you all have any other documents about him or his roles during his times?

Yeah I do, so I should post them soon.

I have some sites about Wong Fei Hong about his live
http://www.kungfucinema.com/articles/2001-04-08-01.htm
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Ginza/5990/wong.html

I believe there is a temple in honor of him in Guangdong Province's Foshan City.

wasn't he like a revolutionary leader or somewhat involved in political activities? anyone has any idea?
is there a formal record/book on him? it seems to me that he has been romanticized by the many movies made about him. not sure how much of that is true.

he is well known in chinese community


he doesn't do many thing for the chinese, but his image is strong only since a comic book describe him


he is just like a character in novel

He joined Liu Yongfu in the fight against Japanese occupation in Taiwan.

I think Wong Feihung is some sort of a regional commander or governor
the movie version is only exaggerated.

I never read about Wong Fei hung becoming a governor or commander during Qing dynasty.

he was just the instructor of a division of the Cantonese garrison and the civilian militia I believe.

Did he really went to Taiwan with Liu Yongfu?

I read or heard that he forcefully confiscated and burned opium in defiance of the white people in Guangzhou.

There was also a rumor that he helped Dr. Sun Yat-sen during his youth and opposition to the Qing.

Ironic since during that time the British were active in stopping the trade of opium by British merchants.

For those who can read Chinese,
http://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%BB%83%E9%A3%9B%E9%B4%BB
http://www.asiawind.com/forums/read.php?f=2&i=2335&t=2335
http://sports.sohu.com/49/08/news211090849.shtml

For those who can't ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wong_Fei_Hung (English)
http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wong_Fei_Hung (Italiano)

One explanation why he was so popular was because many of his grand-disciples joined the HK movie industry in the 1950s.

i don't think thats so, maybe in the Once Upon a Time in China series.

In real life, Wong Feihong was a Qing loyalist(he was a very traditional confucian) and I think he actually lead a failed uprising. He was later in turn denounced by Sun Yat-sen. Very ironic.

Also he was quite dirt-poor.

Like most martial art heroes, the basics of the legend is larger than the facts.

August 29 was Wong Fei Hung b-day.


Did any of you (esp. Hung Gar players) celebrate it?

This is supposedly the only existing photo of the real Wong Fei Hung. Anyone know if it is authentic ?

Heard it was someone else in the Wong (Huang's) family.

Wong Fei Hung is supposed to have passed away on 1924. For such a famous Kung Fu master you would think there would be many photos and even films.

It is not.
That photo is of his cousin.

You know, if we need to celebrate Wong Fei Hung's B'day, do we will also need to celebrate Lam Sai Wing, Wing Kei Ying, Lok Ah Choi, any everyone else in the Hung Gar line. What about those of us who study more than one art ? Man, we will need to celebrate every day of the year !!

Birthday o everday !!!

Sorry, so answer your question, no we don't

You sure that Wong Fei Hong is a real person ...

You mean like the Jet Li movie ?

Wong Fei Hung was certinaly a historical figure. And definately one of the great martial artists of Guangdong at the time. He was both the head instructor of the local militia as well as proclaimed as one of the 10 tigers of Guangdong. Martial arts-ly speaking, his contribution was creating the 十毒手 which is one of the higher levels in Hung Gar. However, his legend was way overblown by pop culture and he was never the great white-guy-beater that the movies and novels makes him to be. Rather, he was a doctor who trained local peasents in his spare time. Nothing more

Wikipedia:

That depends on the source. Some says there were 10 at one time. Some say there were 5 former tigers and 5 later tigers. Some say there were 10 former tigers and 10 later tigers. But what was certain is that he was one of them. I personally find it highly unlikely that his father would be willing to have himself ranked in the same group as his son. But there are no evidence to show that there wasn't. So this is still an open question.

Would not consider Wikipedia as a good source f/ some subject matters.

Apparantly, not in this particular subject.
One must remember that wikipedia is a collection of people's contribution. While a good source of information online, one should always regard it with a degree of scepticism as at the end of the day, where the author gets their information from is actually rather questionable

You're correct.

http://campus.sohu.com/20050314/n224667682.shtml

　　姓名：黄飞鸿

　　性别：男

　　生辰：1847年农历七月初九 出生于广东佛山镇

　　忌日：一九二五年农历三月二十五日，黄飞鸿病逝于广州城西方便医院。

　　黄飞鸿原名黄锡祥、字达云，原籍南海西樵岭西禄舟村，道光二十七年（1847年）七月初九生于佛山，其童年、少年均在佛山度过。黄飞鸿自六岁起随其父黄麒英习武，因家境贫寒，经常随父在佛山、广州等地卖武售药。十三岁时，黄飞鸿在佛山豆豉巷卖武时遇到铁桥三的首徒林福成，得传铁线拳、飞铊等绝技，奠定了日后成为一代洪拳大家的基础。

　　十六岁时，黄飞鸿在广州西关第七甫水脚开设武馆，后在仁安街开设"宝芝林"医馆，门下弟子众多，为名重一时的武术家。他先后被记名提督吴全美、刘永福聘为军医官、技击总教习及广东民团总教练，并随刘永福在台湾抗击日军。他一生坎坷，晚年更遭受爱子遇害、宝芝林被焚、儿子失业等连串打击。一九二五年农历三月二十五日，黄飞鸿病逝于广州城西方便医院

黄飞鸿简介：
　　1847年农历七月初九 出生于广东佛山镇。

　　1853年 从其父黄麒英习武。

　　1859年 随父在佛山、广州、顺德一带卖武，其间以四象标龙棍胜武师郑大雄左手钓鱼棍法，得“少年英雄”之名。

　　1860年 在佛山豆豉巷卖武时遇铁桥三高徒林福成，在佛山随林福成学艺近两年，学成 “铁线拳”和 “飞铊”等绝技。

　　1863年 移居广州，铜、铁行工人集资为其设武馆于第七甫水脚，飞鸿结束卖武生涯。

　　1865年 广州三栏行（果栏、菜栏、鱼栏）中人聘为行中武术教练。

　　1866年 在西樵官山墟一当铺夜宿时遇贼人打劫，飞鸿一人击退数十人，在当地一时传为佳话，随后应邀到在石龙乡授徒。

　　1867年 一洋人携如牛犊大的狼狗在香港设擂向华人邀斗，飞鸿不甘华人受辱，赴港以“猴形拐脚”击毙恶犬，自此扬名香江。

　　1868年 香港水坑口大笪地小贩彭玉摊挡被一恶棍强占打伤，飞鸿路见不平相助，被对方同伙数十人持械围攻，被飞鸿击败。

　　约1868年 另设馆于广州西关廻澜桥附近教徒授艺兼医刀伤跌打，三栏教席由梁宽代替。

　　1869年 在佛山平政桥斗蟀场为卢九叔任"护草"（现场保镖）时，飞鸿严惩歹徒，在佛山名噪一时。

　　1871年 娶妻罗氏，婚后三月罗氏病卒。

　　1873年 受聘广州水师武术教练，并考取广州将军衙门“靖汛大旗手”一职。

　　1882年 记名提督吴全美聘飞鸿为军中技击教练，停办廻澜桥所设武馆。

　　1886年 其父麒英染疾卒。月余后，吴全美去世，飞鸿辞去军中技击教练职务，在广州仁安街设跌打医馆“宝芝林”。

　　1888年 黑旗军首领刘永福赏识黄飞鸿武艺高强、医术精通，聘为军医官和福字军技击总教练，向其赠"医艺精通"木匾。

　　1894年 刘永福率领军队赴台湾抗击日本侵略军，飞鸿随刘率九营福字军抵台，驻守台南。

　　1895年6月 刘永福护台失利，飞鸿离台返粤，自此仅行医不授武，“宝芝林”前榜：“武艺功夫，难以传授；千金不传，求师莫问。”

　　约1896年 续娶马氏为妻，生二女、二子（汉林、汉森），不久马氏病卒

　　约1902年 续纳岑氏为妻，生二子（汉枢、汉熙），不久岑氏病卒。

　　1911年8月 应刘永福邀聘，任广东民团总教练

　　1912年 鱼栏伙记马如灿（卖鱼灿）遭歹徒勒索被殴，飞鸿见义勇为严惩歹徒，“义救卖鱼灿”一事在羊城广为传颂。

　　1915年 续莫桂兰为妾。

　　1918年 在广州十八甫福安街梁氏蟀猎场任守

　　1919年 精通武术的次子黄汉森遭妒，往广西梧州渡任“护勇”时被“鬼眼梁”暗算惨死。受此打击，飞鸿不再向其他儿子传授武技。

　　1919年4月9日 在广州海珠戏院广东省精武会成立大会上表演飞鉈。

　　1924年10月 广州国民镇压商团暴乱，西关一带房屋被毁，仁安街“宝芝林”受累被焚，资财付于一炬，其长子汉林又告失业，因而忧郁成疾。

　　1925年农历三月廿五日 病逝于广州城西方便医院

http://sports.sohu.com/49/08/news211090849.shtml

生前寂寂，死后却经由特殊的经济与文化管径放大到了世界性的舞台，从一个普通的岭南武师，到被世人熟知的文化符号，今天，重新折回故乡的黄飞鸿已经不再是100多年前那个在佛山街头卖艺的艺人，而是作为具有世界性声名的乡贤名流，跻身到了在当地意义殊同一般的文化与传统象征——佛山祖庙当中。被裹在了全新的经济、文化背景下的黄飞鸿的回归，更像一面镜子，当中映射出的，是岭南经济文化与世界经济文化交融过程中发生的碰撞，还有融合。

　　时间退回100多年前，无论是在佛山还是广州，黄飞鸿远没有今天的知名度，即使你在街头茶馆，寻常巷陌与其邂逅，也难于认定此人日后将声名远播。

　　然而年轮转到了今天，无论是在粤港澳、东南亚还是欧美，你都可以听到通过影视和文学作品为他散播出来的声名，在他的故乡，广东第三大市佛山城中心最为显赫的，代表着当地历史以及文化沉淀的祖庙里，也于两年多前专门为他落成了一个颇具规模的纪念馆。据说落成当日，来了包括徐克在内一干以演绎他而知名的导演以及明星，此后还有一些来自海外的外国门人前来“寻宗拜祖”，每个人都大施“三跪九叩”之礼。

　　现在，每天早上和下午，还会有专人在纪念他的纪念馆里为游客进行武术以及醒狮表演，而这两样技艺，都是当年他的主要谋生手段之一。

　　这就是黄飞鸿，一个生前与死后声名大相径庭的人物，作为一个极具中国特色的文化符号，因为特定的历史条件，并没有多大叙述空间的他却被有意无意地从岭南，经由香港辐射、并放大到了当代世界的经济与文化范畴中去。在经济异常发达，但又愈加强调文化识别的今天，被裹在了全新的经济、文化背景下的黄飞鸿又重新回到了家乡佛山，他不再是一个平凡的武师，而是一个被饰以了更多象征的偶像，仿佛一个从异邦到来的他者，对其进行重新的考量与解读，无疑更有兴味。

　　在暴雨时停时下的2003年6月下旬的最后几天，记者来到了佛山，追寻这个已经进入了纪念馆的人物的历史痕迹。

　　清末民初的佛山武林

　　陶城，丝织城，粤剧的源头活水，岭南中成药之都，南派武术的发扬光大之地，这样一些似乎毫不相干的称号背后，在历史上和今天都指向了同一个地方，这就是黄飞鸿的出生地，“肇迹于晋，得名于唐”的佛山。

　　这个距广州只有半个多小时车程的所在，自古以来就水网交错，交通便利，是广东西、北、东三地物流的聚散中心。早在唐宋年间，手工业、商业就已经非常发达，到了明清时代，更是三步一店铺，百步一码头，被时人排名“四大名镇”之首，位列“四大聚”中除京师之外的第二聚。佛山证明了经济与文化发展间紧密相连的互动性，历史上高度发达的商品经济也带动了这里民间文化、艺术的繁荣，价比黄金的石湾陶塑，能以假乱真的秋色工艺，不断革新改良的粤剧艺术，那些年代或形成或发展或定型或成名的文化成就，在千百年后的今天依然夺人眼目。

　　与许多地方不一样的是，佛山武术兴起的背景是高度发达的商品经济，然而因为地势平坦，没有天然险峻的屏障进行守卫，所以在民间为求自保，当地人很早就有习武强身以及自卫的习惯。在历史上，有一个例证可以窥见当时佛山人的尚武风气：1449年（明正统十四年），黄萧养起兵围攻广州，同时分兵进攻佛山，一路势如破竹。当时佛山只是南海县辖下的乡级建制，当局并不派兵驻守，一切防备俱由地方负责。结果，乡绅梁广等22人只用一天时间，就组织起了乡勇，在“无甲兵之援，险塞之限”的情况下坚守半月，杀敌数千，直到黄萧养兵败。据史书记载，这当中不乏骁勇而又有谋略之人。

　　许多图谋反清复明的秘密组织开始在经济发达的佛山建立机构，像清初在石湾出现的“五顺堂”，就是珠江三角洲地区最早出现的天地会（洪门会）组织。雍正年间，为躲避朝廷的追捕，京剧艺人“摊手五”（张五）由湖北流落到了佛山，开始在戏班中教授北派武功，其中包含有咏春的推手功夫。1853年，佛山粤剧伶人、天地会拳师李文茂更是扯起了反清复明的大旗起兵，并且一直打到广西建立起大成国。

　　富庶的经济也吸引了不少武林人士，到了黄飞鸿出生的清末年代，佛山的武术已进入了鼎盛的时期：蔡李佛创始人张炎1851年在佛山创办鸿胜馆，传下弟子先后到广州、香港设馆。首徒陈盛是三水人，继任时馆员逾万，为当时中国最大武馆，蔡李佛拳也成为当时广东最大的武术流派。加上清末传入佛山的咏春拳经由名师梁赞的发扬，门徒众多，佛山成了南派武术的中心。

　　随着鸦片战争的爆发，还有以陈启沅在西樵兴建的继昌隆缫丝厂为代表的近代资本主义工业的兴起，佛山当地家庭作坊式的手工业受到了极大的冲击，大量的工人失业，加上因为河道年久失疏，水路交通优势渐渐式微，佛山也开始失去了区域商贸中心的位置，一些商业贸易也开始转到了交通更加便利的广州去。社会开始动荡不安，许多黑社会性质的组织不断涌现，不少武馆应运而生。而为了防身抗侮，许多城市贫民以及失业工人更是纷纷到武馆学习武艺。这个过程一直持续到了上个世纪20年代，并且在大革命前夕，佛山的学武风气达到了空前的繁荣。

　　一个普通的岭南武师

　　1856年农历七月初九，黄飞鸿出生在佛山，父亲黄麒英被称为清末武林“广东十虎”之一，武功虽然高强，家道却是非常困难。因此6岁开始跟从父亲习武的黄飞鸿，不得不在12岁起就随父亲在佛山、广州还有顺德一带四处卖武，同时还卖跌打药。据说，有一次他曾经以四象标龙棍，战胜了武师郑大雄左手钓鱼棍法，博得了“少年英雄”的名声。

　　所谓的江湖机缘的出现，是在13岁那一年，正在佛山豆豉巷卖武的黄飞鸿父子救助了铁桥三的高徒林福成，为表谢意，在近两年的时间里，林福成向黄飞鸿传授了“铁线拳”、“飞砣”等绝技。

　　16岁时，黄飞鸿开始移居广州，当时铜、铁行工人集资为他在西关第七甫水脚创设武馆，向工人们传授武艺，漂泊多年的卖武生涯才得以结束。两年后，开始有点名气的黄飞鸿还被“三栏行”（果栏、菜栏、鱼栏）中人聘为行中武术教练。

　　黄飞鸿的主要事迹都是在青年时期留下的。19岁那年，在西樵官山墟的一家当铺夜宿的黄飞鸿遇到了贼人打劫，仅凭单枪匹马，就击退了数十强盗，在当地传为一时佳话，随后被邀请到石龙乡授徒。1876年，一洋人携如牛犊大的狼狗在香港设擂向华人邀斗，20岁的黄飞鸿不甘华人受辱，赴港以“猴形拐脚”击毙恶犬，自此扬名香江。又一年，香港一恶棍强占水坑口大笪地小贩彭玉的摊档，并将彭玉打伤，黄飞鸿路见不平，挺身相助，却被数十人持械围攻，最后仍能全身败敌。

　　1882年，黄飞鸿开始在军中任职，当时被广州水师聘为武术教练，后来还考取广州将军衙门“靖汛大旗手”一职。3年后，记名提督吴全美聘他为军中技击教练，此前在回澜桥开办的武馆停业。然而在30岁那一年，父亲黄麒英辞世，不久吴全美也过身，黄飞鸿心生退意，遂辞去了军中的技击教练职务，在广州仁安街开设了一个跌打医馆“宝芝林”，门前悬有一副对联：“宝剑出鞘，芝草成林”。

　　两年后即1888年，黄飞鸿治愈了黑旗军首领刘永福的脚疾，刘永福向他赠送了一块写有“医艺精通”字样的木匾，并聘请他作黑旗军的军医官，同时担任福字军技击总教练。1894年，刘永福率领军队赴台湾抗击日本侵略军，黄飞鸿随刘永福率九营福字军抵台，驻守台南。1895年6月，刘永福护台失利，遭受了重大打击的黄飞鸿开始离台返粤，自此只行医，不授武，并在“宝芝林”门前张榜说，“武艺功夫，难以传授；千金不传，求师莫问”。

　　1911年，已届55岁的黄飞鸿再应刘永福的邀聘，出任广东民团总教练。第二年，广州一鱼栏伙记马如灿（卖鱼灿）遭歹徒勒索被殴，黄飞鸿出手严惩歹徒，“义救卖鱼灿”一事在羊城广为传颂。1919年，广东省精武会成立，在广州海珠戏院举行的大会上，63岁的黄飞鸿表演了飞砣入埕（圆口陶罐）的绝技。

　　黄飞鸿的婚姻生活并不如意，他在24岁时才娶妻生子，共育有四个儿子，但前三任妻子都先后病亡，1915年续娶了时年19岁的莫桂兰为妾。1919年，精通武术的次子黄汉森在往广西梧州渡任“护勇”时被妒忌其武技的“鬼眼梁”暗算惨死，对黄飞鸿打击很大，自此不再向儿子传授武功。1924年10月，广州国民政府镇压商团暴乱，西关一带房屋被毁，仁安街“宝芝林”也受累被焚，所有资财付于一炬，长子又告失业，黄飞鸿忧郁成疾。

　　1925年4月17日，黄飞鸿病逝于广州城西方便医院，终年69岁。然而那时候家徒四壁的后人甚至无力殡葬，多亏了女弟子邓秀琼出资相助，才得以埋葬到白云山麓。

　　与电影里看到的相比，现实人生里的黄飞鸿的一生并不顺利，其家人除了二儿子早逝之外，其余三子分别从事肉行生意、行医以及经营杂货。在他去世后，得到其武艺真传的妻子莫桂兰先是在广州“义勇堂”

　　教拳，抗战胜利后去到了香港，并且在高士道挂起“黄飞鸿授妻莫桂兰精医跌打”的招牌，不久后组织起了“黄飞鸿国术社”，并于1982年去世。


　　无法逃脱的历史命运

　　考黄飞鸿的一生，恰恰是中国历史，开始由封建专制转向民主共和的年代，内容博大精深，却又最为动荡不安。
那时候，西方国家已经通过坚船利炮，用装满鸦片的趸船敲开了中国坚闭千年的国门，大量雪花花的银两不断地从那些被迫开放的口岸向外流淌。为了在虎门抗击英国舰队，当年林则徐甚至专门到佛山来铸造大炮。

　　然而长梦未醒的山河还是处处受人践踏，这当中，黄飞鸿就经历了1895年4月17日《马关条约》之后的一段历史：当时他追随刘永福来到台湾，在刘永福所依重的福建省臬台（即巡抚）唐景崧麾下任职。1895年6月，唐景崧自立为“台湾民主国总统”，黄飞鸿则被任命为殿前大将军。那个年代该有着多少荒诞不经的梦啊，不久，李鸿章率淮军前来围剿，唐景崧事败，黄飞鸿也随唐景崧一起逃回了广州。从此黄飞鸿就过上了隐居的生活，关于他的史料记载就愈发少见。

　　在崇尚勇力的冷兵器时代，有着高超武艺的黄飞鸿仍然要为生计奔波劳碌，他早年在珠三角的流浪，16岁以后迁居广州，正是中国国力积贫积弱到了顶点的时候，内忧外患，产业衰败，人们难以维持生计。于是向外流徙成了自发的行为。黄飞鸿在佛山、广州、顺德以及香港辗转的时候，更多的珠江三角洲地区的人民开始向更渺远的海外流出，香港成了当然的第一选择，也有的人以香港为跳板，跑到东南亚以及欧美等国家和地区。甚至在黄去世之后，妻子莫桂兰也只好离开家乡，来到了香港。

　　都说“年深外境犹吾境，日久他乡即故乡”，可是没有品尝过个中滋味的现代人，又怎能体会那在一百几十年前背井离乡的人们的心情。

　　去到异国他乡，面对着一个完全陌生的世界，迥异的人群，语言、风俗不同，民情也不一样，赤手空拳的人们就好比是只身进入了漫无边际的荒野，又好似徒手攀援的探险，担惊受怕就成了必然的事情。于是，握紧拳头就成了下意识，外出的人们往往都会修习武功，健身功能成了其次，自卫防身才是第一。凡是有广府人所到之处，就必定有习武之人，有的人甚至在当地开办武馆，将招收弟子教授武术作为谋生的主要手段。这其中，作为南派武术中心的佛山，就成了中国最主要的武术流出地之一。

　　以黄飞鸿为例，他在广州宝芝林里传授过的弟子，有凌云阶、梁宽、卖鱼灿、陈锦泉、帅老郁、帅老彦、陆正刚、林世荣等。其中以梁宽的武艺为最好，然而天妒英才，他又是众弟子中最早辞世的一个。成就最大的是随黄飞鸿习武20年的林世荣，这位早年卖猪肉为生的弟子人称“猪肉荣”，曾获清末在广州东较场举办的首届广东武术比赛第一名，后来因为热心公益而获得过孙中山的银牌嘉奖，他就曾经在广州开办过三家武馆，一生授徒万余人，其亲侄林祖继承衣钵后授徒五十余年，弟子更是遍布美加、欧洲还有东南亚。

　　除了为“抗日保台”到过台湾之外，就现在的记载而言，黄飞鸿再远的也就是到过香港，并且留下的大多是为国人雪耻以及除暴安良的事迹。为他在华人世界里带去更多真实影响的还是他的妻子莫桂兰，以及弟子林世荣。尤其是后者，在晚年因为受牵连只身逃往香港后，在徒弟朱愚斋、张士镳还有李世辉的协助下，开始打破门派的界限，著书立说，约于1930年左右出版了《伏虎拳》、《铁线拳》、《虎鹤双形拳》等拳谱，开创了广东近代武术套路写作的先河，使得黄飞鸿流传下来的洪拳远播港澳、东南亚、欧美和南非等地，经久不衰。

　　在流徙成了必然的时代背景下，终黄飞鸿的一生，他除了不断地在困厄中奔忙以外，别无他法。作为一个职业武师，在战火与危难遍布的年代，还能够在后20多年中躲在市井的一角默默地为人推关把脉，或者闲来授徒，虽然没有见着“成林芝草”，并且是抑郁而终，黄飞鸿的命运也属不错的了。

　　记者黄端

It would be nice if you could provide a translation, for those of us who can't read Chinese...
Or, if you can't, it's probably a better idea to ask another member fluent in Chinese to help translate.

English Translate Please....

I think we should just have a "martial arts heroes" day, like how America has "President's Day"

a day to celebrate martial arts heroes, and offer car discounts.

http://www.kungfucinema.com/articles/2001-04-08-01.htm

Wong Fei Hung: The Man & the Legend

by Mark Pollard

Wong Fei-hung, also known as Huang Fei-hong is one of the most revered folk heroes in Southern Chinese culture. This figure has been immortalized in serialized novels and in over 100 feature films. While little is known about the personal life of Fei-hung, this celebrated kung fu expert, healer, philosopher, and champion of justice has left an indelible mark on Hong Kong cinema and the martial arts world.

History

Fei-hung's father, Wong Kai-ying was known as one of the "Ten Tigers of Canton." According to Bey Logan in his book, Hong Kong Action Cinema, these men were a band of heroes who lived by a code of honor. Kai-ying studied Hung Kuen or Hung Gar kung fu from master Luk Ah-choy. Hung Kuen, which included training in Chinese medicine and internal martial arts is often considered the most direct descendant of traditional Shaolin kung fu.

In Chinese kung fu, one's martial arts lineage is of nearly equal importance to one's family lineage. The handing down of kung fu techniques from sifu (teacher) to student is of grave importance as many of the forms and techniques widely used today can often be traced back to a single figure. Such is the case for the "Southern Fist" technique which would become the basis for Fei-hung's Hung Kuen style.

Avid kung fu film fans have likely seen at least one movie dealing with the destruction of Shaolin Temple. While the actual facts of this event remain shrouded in legend, it is known that the reigning Qing (Ching) Dynasty began to look at the monks of Shaolin as a threat to their sovereignty. Through years of rigorous and highly disciplined training, these monks had become skilled in unarmed and armed combat. They were even recruited by the government to fight the Japanese in Taiwan. In addition, they had for years trained emperors and generals in their fighting arts. But in the mid-1700s, the Qing government sacked the Shaolin Temple and the surviving monks and lay students scattered throughout Southern China. One such lay student of notable skill was Hung Hei-kwun who settled near the city of Guangzhou (Canton) and began teaching martial arts. His most successful student was Luk Ah-choy. Ah-choy, himself a monk handed down his skills to Wong Tai. Wong Tai handed down his knowledge to his son, Wong Kai-ying. Kai -yng, of course was Fei-hung's father and in due time passed on what had become the family martial arts to his son, although who actually taught Fei-hung is disputed.

Fei-hung was born in the village of Xiqiao within the Canton province in 1847. According to one account, his father would not teach his son martial arts for his concern that it might endanger his life. Still desiring to learn, Fei Hung took lessons from his father's master, Ah Choy. The young Fei Hung was known to perform kung fu in the streets for money. As a young adult, he took the responsibility of becoming a martial arts instructor to the 5th Regiment of the Cantonese army as well as the Guangzhou Civilian Militia. He became quite involved with the local government after having trained two generals and becoming the assistant to the governor of the Fujian province.

Much of the political turmoil surrounding Fei Hung as fictionally depicted in Once Upon a Time in China centered around a popular uprising where the people of Fujian demanded that the governor, Tang Jinsong be appointed head of a new democratic state while Fei Hung would become the commander-in-chief. This riot was suppressed by thousands of government troops led by Li Hongzhang. Needless to say, it put an end to Fei Hung's political career as he and Tang fled to Canton. There, Fei Hung opened a drug store named "Bo Chi Lam" and kept a low profile.

At this time, little else is known about his life. He was married several times and endured several deaths within his own family due to illness. His last wife, Mok Kwei Lan was only a teenager when she married the elderly Fei Hung. He lived to the age of 77 where he died in 1924.

As a martial artist, Fei Hung was famed for his skill in Hung Kuen. He had mastered the Iron Wire Fist, Five Forms Fist, Vanquishing Fist, and the Shadowless Kick. Not stopping there, Fei Hung also excelled at the traditional Southern Chinese art of Lion Dancing. Within Canton he was known as the "King of the Lions."

The Legend Begins

After Fei Hung's death a series of novels appeared in several newspapers authored by Woshi Shanren. The topic of these fictional accounts propelled the story of Wong Fei Hung to mythic proportions with heroic tales embellished with the author's imagination. It wasn't long before these popular stories were tapped by Peking Opera alumni for a ambitious series of feature length films. The series ran from 1949 to 1970 and included 99 films in all starring the prolific actor, Kwan Tak Hing. These series of films were the first to feature "real" kung fu according to Tak Hing, unlike many wuxia inspired films featuring superhuman feats.

The influence of these Fei Hung films on the kung fu movies of the 1970's and beyond cannot be understated. Many of the celebrities in the original series were parents or mentors of future kung fu legends such as Bruce Lee, Yuen Wo Ping, and Lar Kar Leung. Many would pass the torch by appearing in some of the early classics with the next generation of stars. Kwan Tak Hing reprised his role as Fei Hung in Dreadnought, starring Yuen Biao and directed by Yuen Wo Ping.

One of Jackie Chan's breakout roles appeared in Drunken Master (1978), playing Fei Hung from a new perspective. Unlike previous portrayals of Fei Hung, Jackie and director Yuen Wo Ping realized that rather than focusing on the noble deeds of Fei Hung's later life, it would be more interesting to see how he might have developed into the legend. Having created a unique formula in his previous project, Snake in the Eagle's Shadow, Jackie brought his physical slapstick humor to the film. Creating a story of a mischievous adolescent Fei Hung who must overcome his own faults proved a huge success and made Jackie in his own words, a star.

Several subsequent films featured Fei Hung's character in the early eighties. Yet not until a decade later did an energetic new wave filmmaker with tremendous ambition seek to commit the quintessential story of Wong Fei Hung to the screen that would make the his legend spread internationally and in the process, kindle a renaissance of period martial arts films.

Once Upon a Time in Hong Kong

Tsui Hark has enjoyed a rare level of commercial and artistic success in Hong Kong as a director, producer and occasional actor. He first established himself as what is termed a "new wave" director with his directorial debut, The Butterfly Murders (1979). Taking his experience in studying American film, his limitless imagination, and his tireless devotion to the craft, Hark began a career of redefining genres within the Hong Kong film industry. Zu: Warriors From the Magic Mountain (1983) brought Hollywood special effects to Hong Kong and A Better Tomorrow (1986) created the heroic gunplay craze. With success in just about every other film genre it was only a matter of time before Hark turned to kung fu.

After the success of The Swordsman (1990) which brought wuxia tales into the '90's Hark began work on an epic reworking of the Wong Fei Hung legend. This time, Fei Hung would be portrayed not as an aging Tak Hing who uses martial arts only as a last resort or a comically naive Jackie Chan but as a composed and intense man in his prime. Jet Li, a mainland Chinese actor was chosen over local talent to become the latest incarnation of Fei Hung. Li, with his boyish looks and bristling martial arts abilities was a wushu champion from Beijing who had starred in several mainland produced kung fu films promoting the Shaolin Temple. Once Upon a Time in China premiered in 1991 and was a huge success. In fact, Jet Li went on to play Fei Hung in three sequels. Vincent Zhao played Fei Hung in the fourth installment.

The commercial success of the film franchise guaranteed that kung fu films would rule the box office for at least the first half of the decade as numerous period martial arts films appeared shortly after. Director and choreographer, Yuen Woo Ping who had created the comic Fei Hung with Jackie in "Drunken Master" returned to the legend in 1993 with Iron Monkey. Woo Ping went even further back to create a fictional account of the adolescent Fei Hung. The young Fei Hung was portrayed by Tsang Sze-man, a talented young girl who gives a convincing performance. Visually, the film is a departure from the authentic martial arts seen in the original film series. Woo Ping's trademark wirework was on full display and creates a fun if unrealistic representation of Fei Hung's childhood.

One of the most recent noteworthy films to feature Fei Hung was conceived by Jackie Chan as an answer to the unrealistic kung fu seen in the films of Tsui Hark and Wo Ping in the early '90's. Drunken Master II (1994) reprised Jackie's breakthrough role in 1978 as a bungling drunkard who must rise above his faults to defeat the villain. While considered past his physical prime, Jackie gave arguably his best performance in this film which featured more authentic kung fu without the use of wirework to give the martial arts a superhuman quality. Like Jackie's previous film, Drunken Master II uses Fei Hung's name but makes little effort to accurately recreate the man or what is known of his life.

Will the Real Wong Fei Hung Please Stand Up?

Wong Fei Hung is remembered as a Chinese patriot, a healer, a philosopher, and a martial artist who stood for the rights of the oppressed within a country long plagued with corrupt leadership. Yet the more we see Fei Hung portrayed in film, the less we really know of the man. While still hugely popular in China, little serious effort has been made in film or fiction to chronicle an accurate version of Fei Hung's life, particularly in the West. Played as a budding martial artist, an immature young adult, an austere patriot, or as a wizened elder, the real Fei Hung continues to elude us. Perhaps this is not so important. Like all heroes of myth and history, the legend of Wong Fei Hung will no doubt continue to inspire and entertain people around the world for years to come.

See also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wong_Fei_Hung :


I'm not sure how accurate any of this is, though.

Master Wong Fei Hong is a canotnese.
he is 1 of the 10 tigers of canton back then.

i don really know who all the 10 tigers of canotn are , but to my knowledge they are as follows:
1) Wong Fei Hong
2) Fang Shi Yu
3) Su Qi Er (Begger Su)
4) ?
5) ?
6) ?
7) ?
8) ?
9) ?
10) ?

no idea who are the remainning 7. if you know do fill them up for me.

Wong fei hong is believed to the one most highly skilled among all the tigers of canton.
he is both a fictional character as well as a historical person who really existed in china

The Ten Tigers of Canton "Guangdong Sahp Fu" (Chinese: 廣東十虎) were a group of ten of the top Chinese martial arts masters in Guangdong (Canton) towards the end of the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912).

Wong Yan-Lam (Chinese: 王隱林; pinyin: Wáng Yǐnlín; Yale Cantonese: Wong4 Yan2 Lam4)
Wong Ching Ho (Chinese: 黃澄可; pinyin: Huang Cheng Ke)
Sue Haak Fu (Chinese: 蘇黑虎; pinyin: Su Hei Hu)
Wong Kei-Ying (Chinese: 黃麒英;; pinyin: Huáng Qíyīng; Yale Cantonese: Wong4 Kei4 Ying1)
Lai Yun Chiu (Chinese: 黎仁超; pinyin: Li Ren Chao)
So Chan (Chinese: 蘇燦; pinyin: Sū Càn), better known as So Haak Yee (Chinese: 蘇乞兒; pinyin: Sū Qǐ Er) or Beggar So
Chow Tai (Chinese: 鄒泰; pinyin: Zou Tai)
Tiit Kiu Saam (Chinese: 鐵橋三; pinyin: Tiě Qiáo Sān; Yale Cantonese: Tit3 Kiu4 Saam1)
Tiit Chi Chan (Chinese: 鐵指陳; pinyin: Tie Zhi Chen)
Tam Chai Hok (Chinese: 譚濟鶴; pinyin: Tan Ji He)
Wong Fei-Hung (Chinese: 黃飛鴻), son of Wong Kei-Ying, is sometimes listed as one of the Ten Tigers. However, Wong Fei-Hung was known rather as the "Tiger after Ten."


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Tigers_of_Canton

Weird people still uses wiki these days. But here are a few things they miss out all the time.



Their respective names are actually 梁昆 and 陳鐵志.

There are actually a number of versions of "10 tigers". Some say there are just the 10. In some cases, there are former 10 and later 10, and in other there are former 5 and later 5. The list that have been shown are the ones that were novelized which is why they are the most well know. Kind of like the SGYY effect.

I believe whatever information about WFH exists is within the Hung Gar schools he founded, and even that is being corrupted/exaggerated. I wish someone could question Lam Cho or Mr. Yee about what they remember. It amazes me that so little is really known when the man died less than a century ago.

was martial arts even that great back then? did different styles of fighting from different families even matter? if u look at how people fight in kung fu movies. compare it to fighting in real life. its not even close. so imagine how fighting would of been 200 years ago....the same right? ...i question the limit of kung fu back then. could wong fei hung really beat up 50 people? or 50 skinny kids?...

That's because they didn't want their subjects addicted, read this in a few places.

I have not watched many wong fei hung movies but i can believe that is true.

I actually study Hung Gar which is the style of kung fu Wong Fei Hung was famous for a previous post stated lam and yee are the only lineages of wong fei hung's Hung Gar this is not true, there is also Lau. Lau kar leung who made many famous movies, his father Lau Jamm was a top disciple of Lam Sai Wing.

Wong Fei hung was not so much of a political figure as he was a Hero to the people. He was well known as a practitioner in chinese medicine he inherited his father practice. Wong Fei Hung was also the head instructor of the Kwuntung army and the civilian malitia. We know this is true partly due to the forms now surviving in our lineage including the oxtail sabre and military sabre. I believe his role in this was mostly instructional.

His fighting technique and ability however is not as exagerated as one would think. He not only perfected skills but made completely new ones the "no shadow kick" does exist and we know it was developed by WFH as only schools from his lineage know it also five animal (or five animal 5 elements) is a form created by Wong Fei Hung. Challanges were common in those days so fighting would really happen, in fact challanges are still common today in china but don't result in death.

The referance to Opium may be related to one of his top students, Leung Foo dying because of the drug, and wong fei hungs hate for it really developed from there.

I don't understand people saying we don't have much information on wongfei hung his last wife gave many TV interviews in the 60's and 70's, as well as lineages clearly traced back to him clearly influenced by his work.

He is famous not as a political figure but a hero of the people, a teacher and a true martial artist. I think this bothers people as people feel only political men of that time trully deserve recognition and nowadays only movie stars.
That being said of course much of what you see in movies about WFH is fictitious, it wouldnt be as exiting if it wasn't!