What is it?
Martial Arts are various systems of training for combat that are systemized. These systems can be described as Styles.
These styles are used for physically defeating physical opponents and defending oneself against the threats of them.
History of Martial Arts
Ancient civilizations have been using forms of combat for eons. Most people think about Asia when they hear the
term "martial arts."
Reaching as far back as 3400 BC, there has been depictions in Ancient Egyptian fresco and literature about struggles and combat.
In Mesopotamian reliefs and poetry, similar findings were there as well in 3000 BC. In 2879 BCE, Vietnam had drawings and
sketches that depicted and described combat using physical forms of weaponry.
The African Ancient Egyptians showed early signs of organized fighting styles. Soldiers fought with single sticks and spears with
basket-guards in one hand, and protecting the other with a splint strapped to the forearm as a shield. They also fought with
clubs, axes, pole axes, flails, bows, slings and swords.
In later centuries, forms of wrestling, stick fighting and boxing came about in the cultures of Africa.
To the East in China, during the 5th Century BCE, hand-to-hand combat was theorized and described in the story of the Maiden of Yue
in the Spring and Autumn Annals of Wu and Yue.
From Former Han's records, there are stories told of weaponless fighting and wrestling. Wrestling was also documented in records written
by Sima Qian in 100 BCE.
Ban Gu in the first century told about Hand fighting and the "Five Animals" concept that Chinese Martial Art uses.
Later during 618-907 CE in the Tang Dynasty, sword dances came about and were immortalized. Finally the Shaolin came about later.
Europe's Martial Arts dates back to Ancient Greece. In the traditional olympic games combat such as boxing, wrestling and pankration were represented.