The Kung Fu Master, 3D Illustration Stock Image

Kung Fu is the origin of several Chinese martial arts `Chinese Martial Arts, Martial Arts` which were developed about 1500 years ago by the monks of the Shaolin Monastery, who are known in the West today mostly as modern Wushu - modern Asian martial arts. The five elements play a major role in kung fu and are particularly recognized in combat. A stick symbolizes the wood, a spear the fire, the fist the earth, a saber the metal and a sword symbolizes the water. Kung Fu does not only refer to a special martial art. The Chinese name means something like `hard work`. It takes time, effort and strength to learn the skills of Kung Fu.