KUEN KUITS OR TIPS
What are Kuen Kuits? The term Kuen Kuits originates from Cantonese and translates roughly as "songs of combat," "songs of the style," or "songs of the fist." Since the Shaolin era, Kuen Kuits have been used to describe the attributes or characteristics of a martial arts style and are not limited to Wing Chun.
Kuen Kuits from Wing Chun often resemble those of other styles, such as Tai Chi.
The translation or interpretation of Kuen Kuits as "songs" may be a narrow view, referring to those Kuen Kuits handed down in rhyming form.
Today, the term is more broadly generalized to mean:
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Words of wisdom,
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Short mnemonics,
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Guiding principles,
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Mottos,
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Mnemonics,
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Or simply: hints or tips to follow or contemplate when practicing Wing Chun.
Some Wing Chun schools refer to Kuen Kuits as mottos, such as the Mottos of Siu Nim Tao, which are common in WT organizations in Germany:
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Press your feet into the ground, stretch your head to the sky!
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Straight hips, pull in the stomach!
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Chest inward, back straight!
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Head straight, chin back, horizontal gaze!
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Lower the shoulders, keep the elbows down!
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Two objects cannot occupy the same space!
In 2010, I undertook an extensive effort to compile all available Wing Chun literature (German and international), online resources, and contact teachers who discussed or wrote about Kuen Kuits. The result was a massive collection of over 800 Kuen Kuits, which I categorized into 18 groups, including:
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Kuen Kuits for the Code of Conduct,
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Kuen Kuits on Tactics and Strategy,
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Kuen Kuits related to Siu Nim Tao,
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Kuen Kuits for Butterfly Swords,
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And more.
These Kuen Kuits were meticulously sorted and published on the website www.wingchuntipps.de (not online any longer), but I suspect no one found them! 😂😂 Now, I’ve moved them to my new website for you to access.
After extensive research and discussions with countless other Wing Chun instructors, it remains unclear to me which of the Kuen Kuits are truly traditional and which might have been rhymed together or invented by some imaginative Wing Chun practitioner.
However, in my opinion, this doesn’t matter. The collected Kuen Kuits serve as a fascinating and informative reflection of Wing Chun’s martial arts culture.
I personally prefer to refer to them as Wing Chun Tips or Hints. For this reason, I’ve numbered, categorized, and explained the content of each of the 800+ Kuen Kuits in detail below.
Enjoy this knowledge transfer! Be glad you no longer have to do this work yourself.
Cord Elsner
01
WHAT ARE KUEN KUITS?
I briefly explained what Kuen Kuits are above. In this article, I go into more detail, discussing their origin stories in a historical context (e.g., the Qing Dynasty). I also highlight examples to demonstrate the interpretive nature of Kuen Kuits.
Not every guiding principle is immediately understandable. Some Kuen Kuits require interpretation or explanation. Read more here.
02
KUEN KUITS FOR THE CODE OF CONDUCT
Similar to Bushido, the code of conduct for the Samurai, Wing Chun has its own ethical code, referred to by Yip Man as the "Code of Conduct."
Martial arts are not purely about combat with an opponent but also about self-reflection and one’s role in society. In other words, it’s about inner growth, dignity, self-image, and perception by others.
The Kuen Kuits for the Code of Conduct capture these ideas beautifully. Read more here.
03
KUEN KUITS FOR TERMINOLOGY
Is it Tan Sao, Taan Sao, Tarn Sao, or Tahn Sao? And what does it mean? These are questions that arise when trying to translate Chinese terms into Western languages.
The resulting mix of spellings can be chaotic. The Kuen Kuits in this section standardize the terminology I use consistently in all my articles and training sessions. Please register and log into your account to read this article for free.
04
KUEN KUITS ON TACTICS AND STRATEGY
Many Kuen Kuits provide insights into how to achieve a given goal. Wing Chun is often referred to as a system for achieving goals.
At the most basic level, this means defeating an opponent or successfully landing a strike. However, goal achievement in Wing Chun extends beyond this and can apply to broader contexts.
This article lists and explains the relevant Kuen Kuits for tactics and strategy. Please register and log into your account to read this article for free.
05
KUEN KUITS ON COMBAT PRINCIPLES
Wing Chun is a martial arts system based on concepts and principles. Rather than learning thousands of techniques, practitioners learn a few core principles and apply them under stress.
The combat principles are central to Wing Chun’s approach and are outlined in this article. Please register and log into your account to read this article for free.
06
KUEN KUITS ON FORCE PRINCIPLES
Force principles explain how a Wing Chun practitioner should move or react during a collision with an opponent.
These principles are foundational to Wing Chun and must (in my opinion) be adhered to during training. Ignoring these principles means you’re not truly practicing Wing Chun—or at least not good Wing Chun.
Learn more in this article. Please register and log into your account to read this article for free.
07
KUEN KUITS ON CENTRAL LINE THEORY
The concept of the central line is another core element of Wing Chun. It plays a vital role in everything from alignment to attack strategies and controlling an opponent.
This article explores the Kuen Kuits related to central line theory. Please register and log into your account to read this article for free.
08
KUEN KUITS ON TECHNIQUE EXECUTION
Wing Chun movements follow concepts and principles, aligning with the goal of striking the opponent effectively.
When combined with the contextual idea that Wing Chun was developed "by a woman for a woman," specific execution guidelines naturally emerge. This article compiles a list of Kuen Kuits related to technique execution.
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KUEN KUITS ON TRAINING PRINCIPLES
How should one train? What mindset is necessary? Many believe that simply signing a membership contract is enough to achieve Wing Chun excellence—or that watching videos while sitting on the couch counts as training.
Training principles provide practical advice on how to train effectively. Please register and log into your account to read this article for free.
10
KUEN KUITS ON SPARRING
Sparring? Yes, sparring. However, it’s important not to confuse sparring in boxing, kickboxing, or Muay Thai with sparring in Wing Chun.
Sparring is a training method in which one tests their skills in a free scenario with minimal rules. There are specific tips and guidelines for Wing Chun sparring that should be observed.
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11
KUEN KUITS FOR SIU NIM TAO
Naturally, there are Kuen Kuits for the Wing Chun forms—it only makes sense. Siu Nim Tao, as the first form, has a multitude of Kuen Kuits addressing stance, movement execution, the value of the form, breathing, and other topics.
Since the Siu Nim Tao contains simplified movements, their purpose may not be immediately apparent to beginners. The same applies to its Kuen Kuits, which often require explanation and interpretation.
Please register and log into your account to read the full article for free.
12
KUEN KUITS FOR CHAM KIU
Cham Kiu, the second form in the Wing Chun system, incorporates hand techniques, footwork, and kicking techniques, with an emphasis on bridging concepts.
What are the key points to consider during turning movements? The Kuen Kuits for Cham Kiu summarize these succinctly, but like the Siu Nim Tao Kuen Kuits, they also require interpretation.
Please register and log into your account to read the Kuen Kuits for Cham Kiu.
13
KUEN KUITS FOR BIU TZE
Biu Tze is the third form in most Wing Chun systems worldwide. Often referred to as the "emergency form," it teaches emergency concepts.
Techniques include attacks with point-focused weapons, diagonal coverage of the body (protection of the diagonals), power generation from core rotation, and more—all of which are reflected in the Kuen Kuits for Biu Tze.
Please register and log into your account to access these Kuen Kuits.
14
KUEN KUITS FOR MOK YAN CHONG FAT (THE WOODEN DUMMY)
No training tool is more closely associated with Wing Chun than the wooden dummy (Mok Yan Chong). In my opinion, it’s a stronger symbol of Wing Chun than the long pole or butterfly knives, which are not as universally recognized.
The wooden dummy conveys countless core concepts and principles of the system, including three-level control, flanking strategies, plum blossom footwork, functional strength, eight shadowless kicks, and much more.
The Kuen Kuits beautifully encapsulate these aspects. Please register and log into your account to access these Kuen Kuits.
15
KUEN KUITS FOR SAAM SIN CHONG FAT (THE TRIPODAL DUMMY)
The Saam Sin Chong (tripodal dummy) is used to train specific Wing Chun footwork, especially the close-range footwork essential for infighting.
The tripodal dummy complements the wooden dummy, which, being static, imposes limitations on certain movements. The principles and concepts of the tripodal dummy are distilled into these Kuen Kuits.
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16
KUEN KUITS FOR LOOK DIM POON KWAN (LONG POLE)
"The long pole sings only once" is just one example of the many Kuen Kuits associated with the first weapon of Wing Chun.
Guiding principles for tactics and strategies, such as the Heaven-Man-Earth concept, are condensed into short phrases related to the long pole.
Please register and log into your account to access these Kuen Kuits.
17
KUEN KUITS FOR BART CHAM DAO (BUTTERFLY KNIVES)
The butterfly knives, as the second weapon form in Wing Chun and the final of the system’s seven forms, remain an enigma for many practitioners, as they are typically taught last.
The eight cutting directions, the analogy between armed and unarmed movements, and footwork are all reflected in the Kuen Kuits for Bart Cham Dao.
Please register and log into your account to read these Kuen Kuits.
18
KUEN KUITS FOR CHI SAO
The Kuen Kuits for Chi Sao offer an extensive collection of tips and guiding principles to help practitioners refine their Chi Sao movements.
For example: Is your elbow higher than your wrist? What happens with pressure on the wrist? How does spring tension come into play? These Kuen Kuits serve as a checklist for self-evaluation and deeper understanding.
Please register and log into your account to access these Kuen Kuits.
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KUEN KUITS FOR CHI GERK
Chi Gerk, or leg reflex and reaction training, complements Chi Sao, which focuses on the arms. Together, they form a complete training method covering all levels of the body.
The Kuen Kuits for Chi Gerk provide guidance and serve as reference points for understanding and refining movements.
Please register and log into your account to access these Kuen Kuits.
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KUEN KUITS – FACTS
The final category of Kuen Kuits is titled "Facts." These are statements about the Wing Chun system that describe its essence.
For example, Wing Chun isn’t about elegant or aesthetically pleasing movements—it’s about effectiveness and achieving your goal as quickly as possible. Wing Chun is, essentially, a tool to eliminate your opponent. It doesn’t need to look pretty; it just needs to work.
Please register to view this final category of Kuen Kuits.
