The Five Animals of Shaolin Kempo Karate
The leopard represents speed and power.
The leopards' focus is on muscle strength, and provides movements that are more precise than the tiger.
The leopard is a limber animal, whose power comes from its loose and relaxed motions, and employs many techniques that have the effect of crushing and delivering strikes using the hands to vital points on the body.
The tiger represents strength and tenacity.
The tiger is physically the strongest of the five animals.
The tiger uses its tenacity and its strength to generate frontal attacks that are powerful and provide the momentum to press forward.
The dragon represents wisdom and fighting spirit.
The dragon provides strategy, planning, and simplicity of motion.
Noted for its flexibility, the dragon uses floating, swinging, twisting and turning movements to overcome opponents, and helps develop inner strength through wisdom.
The snake represents flexibility and accuracy.
The snake is a supple animal, known for its endurance and its accuracy in striking.
The snake can be cunning and deceptive in its fighting methods,
and combines movements that coil, zigzag, and are rapid in their delivery. The snake is known for targeting vital internal areas that are weak in opponents.
The crane represents grace and balance.
The crane displays a calm and quiet nature, preferring movements that are soft and relaxed.
The balance provided by the crane allows for movements that can be delivered up close or at a distance, and can be used to disturb the balance of an opponent.
