The complete list of all the martial arts

All the martial arts and combat systems, ancient and modern

With this guide, we aim to:

• Create (and update) a, as much as possible, complete list of martial arts
• Gradually reveal the relation that 6 Dragons Kung Fu has with many of them

Note – This article has been asked by one of our Core Course practitioners on Patreon (see how to attend our home study classes here Learn Kung Fu online: a beginner-to-expert course).

Important: for now the list is far from being complete, we are working to fulfill and deepen it. When it will start to become quite substantial, we will start to add more details.

The full list of martial arts

#

• 6 Dragons Kung Fu – It is a style of life that includes a modern combat and training system; its methods derive partially from new conceptions and partially from a deep study of many others (read 6DKF: what does it teach?)

A

• Adimurai – A South Indian martial art
• Adithada – See Adimurai
• Aikido – It is a Japanese martial art that focuses on using an opponent’s energy and movements to neutralize attacks and achieve control without causing harm; it emphasizes circular and flowing techniques, including throws and joint locks, making it a highly defensive and non-aggressive martial art; Aikido is often practiced as a means of personal development and spiritual growth, promoting harmony and balance in both physical and mental aspects
• Arnis – See Kali

B

• Baguazhang – Often referred to as Bagua, is a Chinese martial art known for its circular and fluid movements; practitioners of Baguazhang perform specific walking patterns while executing a wide range of martial techniques, including strikes, joint locks, and throws; this martial art emphasizes adaptability, internal energy cultivation (Qi), and the ability to change techniques seamlessly in response to the opponent’s movements; it offers both self-defense applications and potential health benefits, making it a well-rounded practice that blends martial prowess with holistic well-being; it draws inspiration from Daoist philosophy and symbolism, particularly the eight trigrams of the I Ching, enriching its martial and philosophical dimensions
• Battojutsu – An old term for Iaijutsu
• Boxing – A combat sport practiced in many countries where normally are used the arms

C

• Capoeira – It is a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics, and music; it is known for its fluid and rhythmic movements; it is often practiced as a form of cultural expression and physical fitness but at its highest levels finds a real combat application; in terms of practice, Capoeira practitioners, known as “capoeiristas” engage in a dynamic and playful style of combat within a circle called “roda”
• Choy Li Fut – A Chinese martial art known for its powerful strikes, elaborate footwork, and versatile techniques

D

• Dambe – African martial art
• Drunken Fist – See Zui Quan

E

• Engolo – African ritual martial art
• Escrima – See Kali
• Eskrima – See Kali

F

• Fencing – It is a combat sport that involves using bladed weapons, such as foils, epees, and sabres, to score points by making contact with an opponent in a controlled and rule-bound manner; it is known for its precision, agility, and strategy

G

• Greco-Roman Wrestling – It is a form of wrestling that focuses on clinch and ground grappling techniques, with a strong emphasis on using holds and throws to control and pin the opponent

H

• Hapkido – It is a Korean martial art that focuses on self-defense techniques, incorporating strikes, joint locks, throws, and grappling maneuvers; it emphasizes fluid and adaptable movements to neutralize an opponent’s attacks and is known for its practical and versatile approach to real scenarios
• HEMA – “HEMA” stands for “Historical European Martial Arts”; it is a modern term used to describe the practice and study of historical martial arts and combat techniques from Europe (primarily from the medieval and Renaissance periods); HEMA enthusiasts and practitioners research and reconstruct these martial arts based on historical manuals, treatises, and other historical sources; this practice encompasses a wide range of European martial traditions, including swordsmanship, longsword fighting, rapier fencing, dagger combat, polearms, and more; practitioners often engage in sparring, tournaments and drills to bring these historical martial arts back to life and understand how they were practiced in their respective time periods

I

• Iaido – A Japanese martial art that focuses on being aware and capable of quickly drawing the sword and responding to sudden attacks
• Iaijutsu – A Japanese martial art that focuses on quick-draw sword technique
• Istunka – African ritual martial art

J

• Jeet Kune Do – It is a modern liquid combat system created by Bruce Lee (actor and philosopher); based on simplicity and directedness, it has created a separation between tradition and modernity (read The core concepts of Jeet Kune Do)
• Jiben Quanfa (or Ji-Ben Quanfa) – Not exactly a martial art, it can be seen as the ensemble of the fundamental punches techniques of Kung Fu
• Judo – A sportive Japanese martial art that focuses on throws (read The 3 phases of a throw)
• Jujutsu (jiu-jitsu or ju-jitsu) – A Japanese martial art that focuses on close combat, ground fighting and throws

K

• Kalaripayattu – It is a traditional Indian martial art form that originated in the southern state of Kerala; it encompasses a wide range of techniques, including strikes, kicks, grappling, weaponry and physical conditioning, making it one of the world’s oldest and most diverse martial arts systems
• Kali (Arnis, Eskrima, Escrima) – It is the national martial art of the Philippines; it focuses on handheld weapons (short sticks, knives, etc., read At the base of each weapon: the short stick) but has also efficient free hands methods
• Karate – It is a Japanese martial art, born from Kung Fu and then evolved in a different direction (read What is the relation between Karate and Kung Fu?); it is characterized by strong and solid moves
• Kendo – A modern Japanese martial art that uses wooden swords and protective armor to practice swordsmanship
• Kenjutsu – The group of the schools of Japanese swordsmanship
• Kickboxing – A sportive martial art that focuses on striking techniques with arms and legs
• Krav Maga – An Israelian military combat system also implemented for self-defense
• Kung Fu (Gong Fu) – Born in China, it is considered the mother of many of the known martial arts, it is divided into styles; 6 Dragons Kung Fu is strictly based on various of its styles
• Kuttu Varisai – An empty-hand combat style from Tamil (India); it includes striking, grappling, throws and locks

L

• Lutte Traditionnelle – African martial art

M

• Malyutham – An Indian wrestling based on grappling (it is also practiced as a combat sport)
• Muay Thai – A Thai martial art and combat sport that focuses on striking (excelling in clinching); it combines fists, elbows, knees and shins
• Moraingy – African martial art

N

• Naginatajutsu – The art that teaches the use of the Naginata
• Nguni stick-fighting – African martial art with weapons
• Nuba fighting – African martial art with weapons

O

• Okinawan Karate – It is a traditional martial art that originated in Okinawa, Japan; it focuses on striking techniques, including punches, kicks, knee strikes and elbow strikes, as well as various forms (katas) and self-defense applications; Okinawan Karate emphasizes discipline, technique, and self-improvement

P

• Pencak Silat – It is an Indonesian martial art that uses the same principles for armed and unarmed combat

Q

• Quanfa – See Jiben Quanfa
• Qwan Ki Do – A Chinese / Vietnamese martial art

R

• Renaissance martial arts – They refer to various martial arts and combat systems that were practiced during the Renaissance period in Europe (primarily from the 14th to the 17th century); they encompass a wide range of weapons and techniques, including swordsmanship, grappling, and unarmed combat; they are often associated with historical European martial arts (HEMA) and include styles such as fencing, longsword, and rapier combat

S

• Senegalese wrestling – African martial art
• Silambam – An Indian martial art originating in Tamil Nadu, South India
• Silat – See Pencak Silat
• Shaolin Quan – Ancient Kung Fu style practiced in the Shaolin temple
• Sumo – Japanese full-contact arm wrestling
• Systema – It is a Russian combat system born from Mikhail Ryabko, an ex-military colonel; it is based on control of breathing and soft movements; 6 Dragons Kung Fu has included some of his breathing methods

T

• Taekwondo – It is a Korean martial art that privileges the use of legs; it is used in fighting competitions and self-defense
• Tahtib – African martial art with weapons
• Tai Chi (Taiji) – Probably the most famous group of styles of Chinese Kung Fu (read What is Tai Chi and what is its purpose?)
• Taijutsu – The free-hand combat system used by the ninja (shinobi)
• Tarung Derajat – Indonesian martial art

U

• Uechi-Ryu – A traditional style of Okinawan Karate; it is characterized by its strong emphasis on conditioning, close-range techniques and circular movements

V

• Varma Kalai – A south Indian martial art based on pressure points
• Vovinam (Viet Vo Dao) – Vietnamese martial art

W

• Wing Chun – A famous Chinese southern style of Kung Fu that put the accent on the upper limbs (excelling in trapping, read Trapping [MINI-GUIDE])

X

• Xing Yi Quan – Often referred to as Xingyi, is a Chinese internal martial art that focuses on cultivating the body’s internal energy, or “Qi,” (read /// Subscribe (it's free!) or Login to see this content ///) while applying explosive and powerful striking techniques; it is known for its straightforward and linear movements and it is part of the larger family of Chinese martial arts, alongside Tai Chi and Baguazhang; Xing Yi Quan practitioners aim to develop a strong connection between the mind and body, emphasizing both combat and health benefits

Y

• Yoseikan Budo – It is a Japanese martial art that was founded by Hiroo Mochizuki in the 1930s; it is a comprehensive martial system that incorporates elements from various traditional Japanese martial arts, including Judo, Aikido, Karate and Kenjutsu, as well as influences from Western boxing and wrestling; Yoseikan Budo places a strong emphasis on practical self-defense techniques, including strikes, joint locks, throws, and weapon techniques; it also incorporates kata (pre-arranged forms) and randori (multiple-attacker scenarios) to develop martial skills and adaptability; this martial art aims to provide a well-rounded and practical approach to self-defense and martial training, making it suitable for both combat purposes and personal development

Z

• Zui Quan – Also known as “Drunken Fist”, is a Chinese martial art that imitates the movements of a drunken person; practitioners intentionally mimic the unsteady and unpredictable motions of someone who is intoxicated, making it challenging for opponents to predict and counter their attacks; Zui Quan incorporates strikes, kicks, evasive maneuvers and it requires a high level of flexibility and coordination; this martial art is known for its entertaining and theatrical style and is often used in traditional Chinese opera and martial arts performances

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Author: Master Kongling

Founder of 6 Dragons Kung Fu.

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