Hung Gar Kuen is a system that comes from the south Shaolin Monastery and it is one of the five major south systems. The remaining four are Liu Gar (Lau Gar), Li Gar (Lei Gar), Mo Gar (Mok Gar) and Choi Gar (Choy Gar). As one of the few systems it has survived until the present time in an almost unchanged form. Of course, it did evolve as any other system, but this evolution took place and is taking place by enriching the system and not as the case is with some other systems - by replacing one technique by another. The bases of the system are five animal techniques, five element techniques and Ching Kung system of practise.

Performing techniques based on the animal moves is not about placing hands in a specific way, but rather the way the strength used is important and the way one moves, which is characteristic of each specific technique.

While performing techniques of a tiger one should concentrate strength first of all on striving to destroy the enemy, for defence not only hard blocks are used but also covers performed while moving forward. These techniques are usually performed against fast and tiny opponents. These are the techniques characteristic of "long arm" forms. Another feature which can be observed is the way of moving while performing the techniques of a tiger, attack and defence run in the same line. The most famous technique of a tiger, which Hung Gar is famous for, is fu jow (tiger claws), which has so many versions only in this system.

Attacks in the techniques of a crane performed over the curve bypassing the defence of the opponent are connected with the "short sphere" forms, getting out to the side uses the power of the body rotation in order to increase the effectiveness and power of the strike and is characteristic of the "long sphere". Techniques of a crane put the stress on defence and counter attack into vital points of the opponent. The usage of the wrist power to block is characteristic here. Other movements symbolise elasticity and submissiveness.

Techniques of a dragon are first of all rotating and circle movements, based on the tail movements of the mythical dragon. Techniques of a dragon are characterised by constant changes in the direction of attack and getting out of the way, and the lack of visible aggression - never attacks first, which demonstrates calmness. It is a symbol of spirituality and longevity identified with the inner power Chi. Dragon characteristics is included in every technique by using Chi irrespective of the fact to which techniques it is counted.

Techniques of a snake are characterised by such a way of deriving a technique, which does not allow for guessing its final form. Fingers symbolise the tongue, hand the head and the body arm of a snake, attacks are performed over the curve with the constant very fast changes of direction. A person performing the techniques of a snake uses the speed of movements against the overwhelming physical power of the opponent.

Techniques of a leopard are the attacks over small curves and straight ones using different positions of hands, moving in soft positions, using a specific way of breathing. The power and the effectiveness of these techniques depends mostly on the speed and determination.

Summing up we can say that practicing the techniques of a tiger we influence the development of the physical power and our body muscles. Techniques of a crane increase the mobility of joints and elasticity of sinews. The dragon techniques strengthen the mind and the spirit of the practicing person - as a result we get a strong motivation in life for proper and just behaviour. The snake techniques influence the improvement of health and vitality - by stimulating the flow of Chi in the organism. The leopard techniques influence the improvement of speed and coordination of movements.

Another aspect of the Hung Gar system is the rule of five transformations (five elements). We can speak about two basic transformation cycles: destructive cycle also called the death star) and productive cycle (called life circle). generally speaking, the five elements techniques can be presented in the following forms:

Metal - some of the characteristic techniques are the strikes with the turned hand and the hammer fist,
Wood - is manifested in the simultaneous attacking and blocking techniques
Water - attacks in these techniques are as the waves of the ocean coming one after another, usually these techniques are far reaching,
Fire - is characterised by fast and straight strikes
Earth - first of all strong, stable positions, strikes directed at vital points of the opponent.

Sequences of the techniques based on the rule of five elements are contained, among others, in the form Sap Yin Kuen (10 animals). The training basing on the five elements techniques is most suitable for short persons since these techniques are directed towards strength and infighting.

Another aspect of Hung Gar is the rule of five emotions (anger, merriness, anxiety, sadness, fear), which is inseparably connected with the Chi Kung practice and the rule of five elements - in the effect both creative and destructive relations between given emotions are created.

Writing about Hung Gar it is necessary to mention Chi which is contained in all the moves, which is connected with a specific way of breathing, different than in other fighting techniques. That is why the system is difficult and mastering some techniques may take many years, but the effect which we can gain this way will greatly exceed our expectations.

In each Hung Gar form there are some elements of Chi Kung, their number depends on the level of advancement of the form. The most advanced form of the system is Tid Shin Kuen (the form of an Iron Rope) which was created as a Hard Chi Kung - it contains a full system of Chi Kung practice (i.e. it stimulates and controls the flow of Chi in all meridians). In the result of this Hung Gar system is calculated to inner systems what very few people know. However, people who observe only the work of muscles not going into the aims of a given practice, may claim wrongly that this is an outer system.

Two sphere rule character means to in first (short) sphere be near the opponent, in order not to let him use all his strength. Second (long) sphere means to be out of the opponent's reach, in order to sense the moment when his strength expires.

It is also worth to mention the Chin Na lever system which are comprised in the Hung Gar system. Their presence in the system is the result of the broad application of the system in the town combats, where a key role was played by the infighting, with the use of short sphere.

Summing up this short characteristics of the system it can be stated that: five animals, five elements and emotions, full Chi Kung practice system, the rule of two spheres - a short one and a long one, together with Chin Na technique make Hung Gar one of the most complete Kung Fu systems. As one of the few systems it develops both the physical and the spiritual part of the human being.