This question is for @CLFNole but, others can chime in.
I wanted to get clarification on the term “Poon Kiu”. We in the Southern Gung-Fu arts are all quite familar with “Kiu”. But…POON??
What does that mean? In the Lee Koon Hung (and Tatwong) lineages it seem like we use that word for what looks like an open handed Gwa (in fact I’ve seen some lineages refer to that movement as Gwa).
I also see it used for what looks like it could be a covering palm (aka Kum Jeung).
It’s action is circling. In Wing Chun/Hung Gar/CLF, we all have Huen Sao, ie, Circling Hand.
Is there any relation of Huen to Poon, at all? To me, Huen Kiu would make sense, ie, Circling Bridge.
But I don’t know nothin, which is why I gotta go to the community and get straightened out.
OH. I guess I should have asked AI, first! Here’s what Gemini says:
In Cantonese martial arts terminology, Poon (written as 蟠, Cantonese Yale: pūn, or 盤/盤, pùhn) translates to “coiling,” “circling,” or “winding.”
So Poon Kiu (蟠橋 / 盤橋) literally translates to “Coiling Bridge” or “Winding Arm Bridge.”
Character Meaning & Martial Concept
The Chinese character 蟠 (pūn) carries the specific imagery of something winding tightly or curving around itself—most famously seen in the classical phrase Poon Lung (蟠龍, “coiled dragon”).
In the context of Choy Li Fut:
The Imagery: Rather than a simple, rigid block, the arm acts like a heavy, coiled spring or a winding vine wrapping around an opponent’s arm.
The Application: Instead of meeting force with force head-on, Poon Kiu uses circular, spiraling energy to clear, deflect, or entrap the opponent’s incoming strike (bridge).
The Transition: It neutralizes the opponent’s path while keeping continuous physical contact, setting up immediate counter-rotational strikes (like a Gwa Choy, Sau Choy, or Charp Choy).
In short: Kiu is the bridge (the arm), and Poon is the coiling, winding action that controls it.
Coiling or encircling would be the best definition. For the part you are referring to (example: Chin Lau, open palm, Cum Jeurng, Fu Jow), Poon would technically be incorrect. The open backhand techniquesshould be called Daht Jeurng not Poon Kiu. Since 99% of the people that come through the school never learn any real Cantonese we kept things simple and called the Poon since it’s circular but technically it’s Daht. Poon Kiu would be the opening part in Plum Flower - Hoi Ma, Diew Ma, Chum Kiu, Poon Kiu, Sow Choy. Hope that helps.
Very helpful, thank you! Daht Jeurng it is! What does it mean? Jeurng is palm. And I know we call the mid-level back fist Daht Choy (some call it Been Choy), is it the same “Daht” meaning?
Yes same term it’s slang. The way it was explained to me it’s like when a fish monger takes a fish and smacks/slams it on the board. Think of it like a “dead hand” in English terminology.
We use “bien choy” vs “Daht choy” but they are interchangeable.
There’s an AI Agent that has applied for membership here on the forum. This new forum blocks AI Agents, so it’s in holding, awaiting me to approve or ban it. Right now, I’m just leaving it there because I’m curious what might happen moving forward. It’s first (and only) post isn’t bad actually, better than a lot of members here I daresay. But I just can’t bring myself to approve it yet and unleash it here on the forum.