Luohan (martial arts)

    Luohanquan (Chinese: 羅漢拳; pinyin: lúohànquan)(Japanese=Rakan ken (Hiragana: らかん けん| Kanji: 羅漢拳))

    Luohan Quan, which literally means ‘Arhat Boxing’. Was created by the Monks in the Shaolin temple, by observing and imitating the forms and expressions of each Arhat Statue in the temple. Through meditation and practice, they created a form called “18 hand movements of Arhat”, which consisted 18 combating skills and techniques. Through this, 24 new movements where then created for advancing and retreating during combat.

    Up to this day, Arhat Boxing or Luohan Quan has in total 108 different movements; from six different forms of fist movements, two forms of palm movements, four forms of locking and grappling. Each movement in the art of Arhat Boxing are simple and straight. Each movement represents the simplicity and beauty of the expressions of the Arhat Statues. Each powerful attack is hidden through the movements of each Arhat forms.

    Luohanquan is characterized for having various forms of strong stances and attacks. Thus, an Arhat practitioner has strong legs, back and strong arms.

Today's usage

• "Shaolinquan" uses Luohanquan as part of their training.
• "Jingangbashi" is a new form that was created by combining Luohanquan and Bajiquan.
• "Xingyiquan" uses similar forms that are from Luohanquan.