Wushu

The term wushu consists of two Chinese characters. 武 (wǔ), meaning, martial or military, and 術 (shù), which translates into discipline, skill or method. Together these form "wǔshù" meaning 'Art of fighting' but translated as "martial art".
Wushu has over time become a formal branch of study in the performancing arts by the Chinese. It is the most popular national sport in the country of China, and is practised by people of all ages. Modern wushu has shifted it's emphasis from combat to performance, and it is practiced for its method of achieving heath, self-defense skills, mental discipline, recreational pursuit and competition.

Wushu is characterized by it dynamic and fluid motions along with its arial kicks, rolling techniques and weapons.

Wushu is the Chinese word for all the styles of Chinese Martial Arts. These arts can be Tai Chi, Shaolin Boxing, Wing Chun, and many other martial styles.

The main styles of Wushu are:

Barehands: Changquan (Long fist), Nanquan (Southern Fist), Taijiquan (Taiji Quan)
Short Weapons:

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Dao (single-edged sword)
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Jian (double-edged sword)
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Taijijian (Taiji double-edged sword)
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Nandao (Southern single-edged sword)


Long Weapons:

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Gun (Staff)
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Qiang (Spear)
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Nangun (Southern Staff)

When you look at the Chinese characters for wushu, it is actually two characters or words, Wu meaning 'martial' and Shu meaning 'art'. Upon further examination of the Chinese character for Wu, it too is two characters, Zhi meaning ' do not do' and Ge meaning 'Fight'. Thus the characters translate to 'Do not Fight'.Therefore, the word Wushu really means the 'Art of not fighting'.

Five (5) Element of Wushu

1. Water, means live and soft. Because water feeding plants and its own shape that always fit with its place.

2. Wood, means bones and muscles as energy of live which will affect heat forming as a power when its mixed with fire.

3. Fire, means strength and skill. Giving nutrition from result of burning that will make inovation in development.

4. Earth, measn defense. Giving place to several elements to grow up.

5. Metal, means weapon uses. Combined several element to control many important weapon in wushu.

Several elements connection in wushu are;
water cold the fire, water will metal handiwork, metal cut the wood, wood grow from earth, earth control the water. So, all of these elements connected each others.