第一章 武术运动概述 Chapter 1 Introduction of Wushu

第一节 武术的概念 Section 1 Concept of Wushu

一、武术的历史与文化 The History and Culture of Wushu

中国武术有着悠久的历史，它是中华民族的先民在与自然、社会环境进行斗争的过程中萌生出的一种本能的个体技击能力。中国功夫即中国武术，是当前世界对中国武术的通俗称谓。中国武术与中国传统文化一脉相承，尤其是它博大精深的包容性更增添了人们对它的神秘感。它外取神态，内表心灵，彰显了民族性格，堪称世界民族传统体育的瑰宝。

Chinese Wushu (martial arts) has a long colorful history.Originally an individual combat skill, Wushu was developed by Chinese ancestors in their struggle against natural and social environments to survive.Kungfu is a colloquial term used around the world for it.Since the day it was born, Chinese Wushu has been closely connected with traditional Chinese culture.Its great inclusiveness helps to add a space of mystery and intrigue to it.Chinese Wushu has become a token of Chinese national character, revealing significant aspects of the Chinese people.With a grace that “combines the external body movements and the internal heart and soul”, it has established a reputation as a valuable asset among traditional sports in the world.

时至今日，中国武术已自成体系，它把踢、打、摔、拿、跌、击、劈、刺等动作，按照一定规律组成徒手和器械的各种攻防格斗功夫、套路和单势练习，不仅具有强身健体的作用，还有防身自卫的功能及其特有的审美价值，深受人们的喜爱。

Today Chinese Wushu has established a system of its own, combining the actions of kicking, striking, thrusting etc. in a unique way to form, under standardized rules, a variety of attack and defense techniques, Taolu (a series of attack and tricks in Wushu) and forms.It is now not only very popular as an exercise for body fitness and self defense, but also highly regarded for its distinctive aesthetic value.

武术是一种文化现象，它的形成与物质文明、精神文明的发展紧密相关，是人们在劳动和军事生活中逐渐形成的对社会观念、信仰的反映。所有不同历史时期的文化特征会在武术中得以遗存，以相对稳定的形式流传下来，并在社会的许多方面发挥其特有的功能。

Wushu is a culture phenomenon.It evolves alongside the development of material and spiritual civilizations and mirrors social concepts and beliefs as they are gradually formed in people's work and military life.The cultures of different periods have left their marks in Wushu and thus these culture traits were preserved and passed down from generation to generation in a relative stable form.Throughout history Chinese Wushu has been functioning in various distinctive ways in the society.

作为一个整体意义上的文化形态，中国武术根植于中国传统文化之中，它不仅蕴含着中国哲学思想之精华，又摄养生之精髓，并集技击之大成，而且还融传统美学之理，由此形成内涵广博的武术文化。今天，中国武术已经成为沟通中国和世界的桥梁和传递友谊的纽带，成为世界其他国家和民族了解中国的一个窗口。尤其是近三十年来，中国武术已经发生了质的变化，它不仅完成了体育化、竞技化和国际化的改革，而且向着规范化、科学化发展，武术的科学研究和理论建设也在不断加强。

As a cultural form, Chinese Wushu has rooted in the traditional Chinese culture.It distills the essence of Chinese philosophy, traditional regiment, combat skills and traditional aesthetic, all of those which contribute to the diversity and richness of Wushu culture.Today Chinese Wushu has become a bridge of friendship.It links the Chinese people and other countries' people and serves as a window through which the world may gain a better understanding of China.Radical changes have occurred to Chinese Wushu, especially in the last three decades with significant progress made to transform it into a competitive sport and to popularize it on an international level.