Luohan Quan, literally means "Arhat boxing". When referring to it, people will relate it with the famous Shaolin Temple, which can be regarded as the representative of Chinese martial arts. Why it is so popular?

 

Luohan Quan or the Arhat Boxing originated from the Shaolin-style boxing. It has been called the 18-hand tricks of Arhat, which consisted of 18 combating skills and techniques. The traditional story of its creation states that it was created by monks in the Shaolin Temple, by observing and imitating the forms and expressions of each Arhat Statue in the temple. Through practice, they created a form called "eighteen hand movements of Arhat", which consisted of eighteen combat skills and techniques. Through this, 24 new movements were then created for advancing and retreating during combat.

 

The original Luohan Quan was called the 18-form Arhat boxing which was improved and developed through years of practice. It later became the 27-form small Arhat boxing, the 54-form big Arhat boxing and the 108-form Arhat boxing. While practicing, Arhat boxers can be as soft as willow twigs, as agile as a smart monkey jumping over a mountain gully, as mighty as a lion, and as powerful as a dragon stirring the sea According to the practice proverbs of the Arhat boxing, the head of the Arhat boxer is like a wave; hands are like meteorites; the body like a willow twig; footwork is like that of a drunkard; blows are triggered by the mind and power is generated throughout the body. It should be difficult to tell whether one is playing with hardness or suppleness and whether the hits are substantial or empty. Free application of the Arhat boxing skills can be achieved through years of practice and exercise.

 

The features of the Arhat boxing are plain and simple. It combines simplicity with the beauty of the expressions of the Arhats. It hides its combative skills and blows in the Arhat-like actions. Movements are smoothly comfortable and fully spread out with clearcut rhythms and the cooperation and coordination of attack and defence are rational. After practising for a long time, the Arhat boxing can strengthen the physique, tone up the body, give one self-defence skills and cure diseases.