Xingyiquan ( Hsing I Ch'uan)
The Horse is the fourth of the 12 Animals. The fists "gallop" forward like the hooves of a horse, and rise and fall like both of the splitting (Metal) and drilling (Water) fists of the basic Five Fists. Uniquely, these two fist methods are joined together in a tight-knit circle, giving it a distinct "in-fighting" combination of an upper cut, a short range cross, and the semblance of a short range hook.
The bodily movements are stoic and tall, yet centered, and, like the footwork of both Metal and Water, straight forward. The shape of the movement of the main form emulates the written character in the Chinese calligraphy for Horse.
This Hebei style of Hsing-I Ch'uan (Xing Yi Quan) is organized using 12 Animals that group and teach the martial characteristics of particular actions.
Sample Applications from the 12 Animals:
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