I am of the understanding that the Hung Gar (I’ll shorten it to HG) practiced by many people these days is the Canton version of the Wong Fei Hung branch. They share similar curricula and forms (altho there are some differences bewteen the sub-branches of the more proliferate WFH’s students like Lam Sai Wing and Tang Fung, etc), but you can still see that they are similar enuf. I also understandt that there are other versions of HG, Village styles and such. And then there are the non-Hong Kong versions, like ones from South East Asia or Taiwan. So if one were to go to a HG school, and they teach HG not of the Canton branch, what charactersitics should we be looking for to see that it is HG and not something else? This is not a question of which version is better, but one of what qualities in the forms and techniques and training one should look for. I understand that as different as they may be, the various different branches and sub-branches should still share common principles, but what does this mean? Are there similar techniques to look out for? Similar training regimens, stepping methodologies, etc? What would make it diferent from each other yet distintinctly a version of HG, but not someother Southern art that is somewhat related, like Jow Ga or CLF or Fu Jow? Could anyone give a couple of concrete examples? Thanks.
Good question I would like to know some answers for this.
Hung Gar contains Gung Gee Fook Fu as it’s foundation set.
Other pillar sets include, fu/hok (tiger/crane), ng ying kuen (5 animals), sap ying kuen(5 elements) and tid sen kuen(iron wire).
In some lineages all these sets are there as well as others that have been adopted depending on the lineage. eg: lau gar, mok gar, etc, etc.
The one thing I find in common with village Hung styles, Large lineage styles (lam sai wing-related) is that they have shaolin tiger style and shaolin fundamentals at the core of the style.
P.S nik Lo, is this wrong? 
peace
I am not an hung gar expert…
But I do believe that some of the pillars mentioned are still only related to the Wong Fei Hung lineage.
Except of Gung gee Fook Fu tit seen kuen is definitely added by Wong Fei Hung and same goes for Fu Hok (I believe) and there is something about that only Wong Fei Hung lineage have ng ying or sup ying kuen?
I believe you should check out www.wle.com I forgot the master’s name temporarily (I think it’s Wing Lam) but he is apparently mastered many different lineages of Hung gar (e.g. Ha Say Fu)
I also wanted to add that he wrote an article in a magazine before comparing the characteristic differences in the many lineages.
I hope this helps!
Hung Gar has it’s own expression of power that separates it from other arts. There’s a shaking tension that is shown in the forms, but not a really tense tension.
If you have seen YC Wong move in the last 10 years, then you’d see the expresssion of power that Hung should have.
Tid Kiu Sarm brought the Iron Wire set into Hung Gar, Wong Fei Hung brought Tiger/Crane.
Taming the Tiger (Gung Gee Fook Fu) is the thread that binds the patchwork together.
peace
Hung-Ga is also known for variety of faht-ging-power issuing. There is inch power(inch punch, inch hip,wrist,shoulder, etc)listening/sticking power, whipping power, squeezing power, shaking power,spiraling power,sinking, long power, etc. Also known for “the whole body is the fist”-meaning, one-the whole body generates power, and two, every part of the body can be used for striking.
Since Hung-Ga is reputed to be the complete system that left the Siu-Lum temple intact, it is considered to be the original southern Siu-Lum Five Animal form. This means that although many other systems were derived from Siu-Lum 5 animal, they are specializations; Hung-Ga encompasses them all.
Poor misguided Kungy, it amazes me how much you spout off on hung gar and yet know absolutely nothing outside of easily found internet crap and wing lam video fu. So now, lets clarify some things shall we? I have a feeling you should start calling me sihing (or daddy, depending on my mood) with all the corrections i have to do for you.
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Ng Ying is not a pillar form, although the Tang Fungers have Ng Ying and the Lam’s have Sup Ying, they are both derivatives of each other. If you knew how the Ng Ying of LSW lineage came into play, you would not have said such a stupid statement (as usual). Go and check out one of your many internet sites that you reference and you’ll see what i say is true. Dont check one of your many videos cuz it wont be on there bra.
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I’m glad that you see the importance of gung gee, but if its the thread that binds the patchwork between fu hok and tid sin, why is it the foundation, (So where does Sup Ying come into play?)
Why dont you actually suprise me with something worth reading for a change and not just the usual verbal diarrhea.
I eagerly await your reply my dumb cannuck novice.
Nick
P.S. It must suck having a sigung that is really a VCR. Is that the NTSC or PAL lineage?
Well Nik, I was waiting with baited breath for yet another of your ascerbic responses.
You have not failed me in spouting forth your usual hateful tones and other bile.
Please re-read what I have said. You have again misinterpreted my words (as usual).
It is unusual that from day one you have taken this stance with me. Too much Yang in you.
If you are ever in “canuck” land, please look me up, i would be happy to share tea with you.
As for my teacher and his teacher(s)… I think I can safely say that someone as impetuous as yourself would last about a hot 10 seconds with either of them. In other words, keep your kiddy pokes aimed at me, and otherwise hold your tongue in regards to what my teacher has so generously imparted to me. You know little or nothing of any of us. It seems you know little or nothing of anything.
Well, that’s about as provocative a response as you will get from me. Are you satisfied?
peace
Why all the animosity?
I have no business here, but clicked on a thread that looked interesting. I found to my utter amazement, severe hostility directed at Kung.
Since he’s too polite to say it, I will:
You’re a jerk, Nick Lo. A complete Knee-biter.
May your scabrous rump be poxed and may an army of flies sally forth and infest the pustules with their issue.
Cheers,
James Valentine.
So uhhhhhhh…How bout you answer the questions Kungy?
So uhhh why don’t you stay on topic and save your childish behavior for the schoolyard, some of us are actually martial artists, interested in the free exchange of ideas.
TenTigers- you should be the last person to talk. Aren’t you the idiot that gets his iron wire knowledge from Goju? Talk about not having a clue bra.
Hey when you guys meet up to have tea together…is t hat going to be urban tea?? 
Hmmm you must certainly be an authority on gung-fu, however, there is a world of difference between Tiet Sien Kuen of Hung-Ga and Sam Jien Kuen of Ngor Mei P’ai-two separate forms, separate ideology-although both might have common roots.
Hey Nick, If I get out to the islands again, or you come stateside we should get together and cross hands. In a friendly way of course.
Nick Lo
It all depend on the branch whether or not Ng Ying is a pillar form. Most LSW branches have both Ng Ying and Sup Ying, Where’s TF have Sup Ying only. So which one would be your so-called pillar set?
Peace
Je Lei Sifu
Traditionally, Tang Fung has Ng Ying Kuen, however, it is Five Animals, Five Elements, it just doesn’t have the 30 or so element punches that LSW Sup Ying Kuen has. Also, the Dragon section is different-more technique-oriented,less tiet sien kuen. Some schools, (like mine)also teach Sup Ying Kuen to give a good overall view on Hung Kuen. I like Sup Ying Kuen because the snake, dragon, tiger and leopard sections differ from our Ng Ying Kuen. The crane is very similar, however, different rooting…at least in the version we do. In many LSW schools, the difference between Sup Ying Kuen and Ng Ying Kuen are the additional elemnet punches tagged on at the end. Is this the same in other LSW schools, or are they completely different forms?