The Wudang Sect, sometimes also referred to as the Wu-tang Sect or Wu-Tang Clan, is a fictional martial arts sect mentioned in several works of ''
wuxia
( ), which literally means "martial heroes", is a genre of Chinese fiction concerning the adventures of martial artists in ancient China. Although is traditionally a form of historical fiction, its popularity has caused it to be adapted f ...
'' fiction. It is commonly featured as one of the leading orthodox sects in the ''
wulin'' (martial artists' community). It is named after the place it is based, the
Wudang Mountains
The Wudang Mountains () consist of a mountain range in the northwestern part of Hubei, China, just south of Shiyan. They are home to a famous complex of Taoist temples and monasteries associated with the Lord of the North, Xuantian Shangdi. The ...
.
The Wudang Sect is featured most prominently in
Jin Yong
Louis Cha Leung-yung (; 10 March 1924 – 30 October 2018), better known by his pen name Jin Yong (), pronounced "Gum Yoong" in Cantonese, was a Chinese wuxia (" martial arts and chivalry") novelist and essayist who co-founded the Hong Kong d ...
's novels ''
The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber
''The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber'' (), also translated as ''The Sword and the Knife'', is a wuxia novel by Jin Yong (Louis Cha). It is the third and final installment in the ''Condor Trilogy'', preceded by ''The Legend of the Condor Heroes ...
'' and ''
The Smiling, Proud Wanderer
''The Smiling, Proud Wanderer'' is a wuxia novel by Jin Yong (Louis Cha). It was first serialised in Hong Kong in the newspaper ''Ming Pao'' from 20 April 1967 to 12 October 1969. The Chinese title of the novel, ''Xiao Ao Jiang Hu'', literally ...
'' as a major power in the ''wulin'', usually alongside
Shaolin.
Liang Yusheng
Chen Wentong (5 April 1924 – 22 January 2009), better known by his pen name Liang Yusheng, was a Chinese writer. Credited as the pioneer of the "New School" (新派) of the ''wuxia'' genre in the 20th century, Chen was one of the best known ...
's works also depict Wudang as the leader of all orthodox sects in the ''wulin''. Most of its members are priests who follow Taoist customs and practices in addition to training in martial arts. However, unlike Shaolin's Buddhist monks, Wudang members are allowed to marry and start families. In some ''wuxia'' stories, Wudang has female members as well.
History
The sect was founded in the early
Yuan dynasty
The Yuan dynasty (), officially the Great Yuan (; xng, , , literally "Great Yuan State"), was a Mongol-led imperial dynasty of China and a successor state to the Mongol Empire after its division. It was established by Kublai, the fifth ...
by
Zhang Sanfeng
Zhang Sanfeng (also spelled Zhang San Feng, Chang San-Feng) refers to a legendary Chinese Taoist who many believe invented T'ai chi ch'üan. However, other sources point to early versions of Tai Chi predating Sanfeng. He was purported to hav ...
.
[Cha, Louis. ''The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber'' (倚天屠龍記). ''Ming Pao'', 1961.] Zhang Sanfeng's original given name was "Junbao", and he was an apprentice of Jueyuan, a
Shaolin monk.
[Cha, Louis. ''The Return of the Condor Heroes'' (神雕俠侶). ''Ming Pao'', 1959.] Zhang Sanfeng accepted seven youths as his apprentices, who later became known as the "Seven Heroes of Wudang". The seven are responsible for spreading Wudang's name through their prowess in martial arts, exemplary conduct, and deeds of gallantry.
In ''
The Smiling, Proud Wanderer
''The Smiling, Proud Wanderer'' is a wuxia novel by Jin Yong (Louis Cha). It was first serialised in Hong Kong in the newspaper ''Ming Pao'' from 20 April 1967 to 12 October 1969. The Chinese title of the novel, ''Xiao Ao Jiang Hu'', literally ...
'', believed to be set in the
Ming dynasty
The Ming dynasty (), officially the Great Ming, was an Dynasties in Chinese history, imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1368 to 1644 following the collapse of the Mongol Empire, Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming dynasty was the last ort ...
, Wudang has become one of the two major powers in the ''
wulin'' (martial artists' community) alongside
Shaolin, and both sects play significant roles in upholding justice and maintaining peace in the community.
[Cha, Louis. ''The Smiling, Proud Wanderer'' (笑傲江湖). ''Ming Pao'', 1967.] In the novel, Wudang is led by
Taoist Chongxu.
In ''
Baifa Monü Zhuan
''Baifa Monü Zhuan'' is a wuxia novel by Liang Yusheng. It was serialised between 5 August 1957 and 10 December 1958 in the Hong Kong newspaper ''Sin Wun Pao''. It is closely related to ''Qijian Xia Tianshan'' and '' Saiwai Qixia Zhuan''. The no ...
'', set towards the end of the Ming dynasty, the sect is led by
Taoist Ziyang and another four elders.
[Liang, Yusheng. ''Baifa Monü Zhuan'' (白髮魔女傳). 1957.]
Martial arts
Wudang's martial arts have their origins in the
Shaolin Sect
The Shaolin Sect is a fictional martial arts sect mentioned in several works of ''wuxia'' fiction. It is one of the largest and best known orthodox sects in the '' wulin'' (martial artists' community). Its base is in Shaolin Monastery, Henan, Chi ...
, although they are based on Taoism rather than Buddhism. Its martial arts revolve around the concept of ''
taiji
Tai chi (), short for Tai chi ch'üan ( zh, s=太极拳, t=太極拳, first=t, p=Tàijíquán, labels=no), sometimes called " shadowboxing", is an internal Chinese martial art practiced for defense training, health benefits and meditation. T ...
'', as evident from the skills named after the concept, such as "
taijiquan
Tai chi (), short for Tai chi ch'üan ( zh, s=太极拳, t=太極拳, first=t, p=Tàijíquán, labels=no), sometimes called "shadowboxing", is an internal Chinese martial art practiced for defense training, health benefits and meditation. Ta ...
" and "
taijijian
Taijijian () is a straight two-edged sword used in the training of the Chinese martial art Taijiquan. The straight sword, sometimes with a tassel and sometimes not, is used for upper body conditioning and martial training in traditional Taijiquan s ...
". They also focus on the use of "soft and gentle" techniques to overcome opponents who rely on brute strength and force.
List of skills and martial arts
: ''Note: Although the skills listed here are entirely fictional, some are based on or named after actual martial arts.''
* Foundation skills:
** Ten Rolls of Silk ()
** Thirty-two Styles of
Long Fist
Chángquán () refers to a family of external (as opposed to internal) martial arts (kung fu) styles from northern China.
The forms of the Long Fist style emphasize fully extended kicks and striking techniques, and by appearance would be cons ...
()
** Wudang Long Fist ()
** Wudang Heart Sutra ()
** Eight Trigrams Soaring Dragon Palm ()
* Armed combat styles:
** Divine Gate Thirteen Swords ()
** Heaven Relying Dragon Slaying Skill ()
** Mystical Saber Style ()
** Heaven and Earth as One ()
** Soft Snow Swordplay ()
** Turning Finger Soft Swordplay ()
**
Taiji Swordplay ()
* Battle formations:
**
Black Tortoise
The Black Tortoise () is one of the Four Symbols of the Chinese constellations. Despite its English name, it is usually depicted as a tortoise entwined together with a snake. The name used in East Asian languages does not mention either anima ...
Seven Sections Formation ()
** Black Tortoise Sword Formation ()
* Unarmed combat styles:
** Infinite Mystical Skill Fist ()
**
Dianxue Hand ()
** Heaven Shaking Iron Palm ()
**
Taiji Fist ()
** Returning Wind Palm ()
** Great Tablet Smashing Hand ()
** Silky Palm ()
** Tiger Claw Ending Hand ()
** Tiger Claw Hand ()
** Stained Clothes Eighteen Falls ()
* ''
Qinggong
Qinggong is a training technique for jumping off vertical surfaces from the Chinese martial art Baguazhang. The practitioner runs up a plank supported against a wall. The gradient of the plank is increased gradually over time as the training progr ...
'':
** Cloud-Ascending Ladder ()
* Inner energy skills:
** Wudang Nine Yang Skill ()
** Pure Yang Infinite Skill ()
See also
*
Purple Cloud Temple
The Zixiao Palace () or Purple Cloud Temple, standing on Zhanqi Peak, is a Taoist temple of the Wudang Mountains Taoist complex in the northwestern part of Hubei, China.
History
After being built in 1119–26, it was rebuilt in 1413 and extended ...
*
Temple of the Five Immortals
*
Wudang Mountains
The Wudang Mountains () consist of a mountain range in the northwestern part of Hubei, China, just south of Shiyan. They are home to a famous complex of Taoist temples and monasteries associated with the Lord of the North, Xuantian Shangdi. The ...
*
Wudangquan
Wudang quan () is a class of Chinese martial arts. In contemporary China, Chinese martial arts styles are generally classified into two major groups: Wudang (Wutang), named after the Wudang Mountains; and Shaolin, named after the Shaolin Monaster ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wudang Sect
Organizations in Wuxia fiction