Kunlun Sect
Encyclopedia
The Kunlun Sect is one of the major orthodox Chinese martial arts sects frequently mentioned in many wuxia
stories. Its home base is in the Kunlun Mountains
in the far western regions of China, near present-day Qinghai
and Xinjiang
. Due to its geographical location, it is seldom heard of in the jianghu
before its rise to prominence.
during the reign of King Wu of Zhou
. According to legend, its founders are Laozi
and Yuanshi Tianzun. Yuanshi Tianzun has 12 disciples who become the 12 Elders of Kunlun. Therefore, Kunlun has its roots in Taoism, but it does not follow Taoist practices strictly.
Kunlun's rise to prominence in the jianghu only comes after pugilists such as He Zudao make their name through their prowess in martial arts and deeds of gallantry. Kunlun's subsequent leaders lead the sect towards greater heights and achieving its glorified status in the jianghu as one of the major orthodox sects. Kunlun is also the greatest and most famous sect in the western regions and worthy of comparison with other famous sects such as Shaolin
and Wudang
from the Central Plains
.
The Kunlun Sect is one of the righteous sects and maintains strict discipline within the sect. Members are forbidden to associate themselves with the unorthodox and "evil" sects or they will be expelled. Their code of conduct is somewhat similar to most of the orthodox sects. Although Kunlun is a Taoist sect like Quanzhen
and Wudang, it does accept members of both sexes as well. Members are allowed to marry and are not bound by any code to maintain vegetarian diets.
Some of the notable traits of Kunlun are that Kunlun has a strong desire to become one of the superpowers in the jianghu and its members are especially ambitious in their plans. In Jin Yong's The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber, He Zudao and He Taichong are depicted as ruthless and ambitious individuals who wish to rule the jianghu. He Taichong, in particular, is depicted as a morally bankrupt villain who resorts to unscrupulous means in his attempt to seize hold of the Dragon-Slaying Saber and use it to dominate the jianghu.
Wuxia
Wuxia is a broad genre of Chinese fiction concerning the adventures of martial artists. Although wuxia is traditionally a form of literature, its popularity has caused it to spread to diverse art forms like Chinese opera, manhua , films, television series, and video games...
stories. Its home base is in the Kunlun Mountains
Kunlun Mountains
The Kunlun Mountains are one of the longest mountain chains in Asia, extending more than 3,000 km. In the broadest sense, it forms the northern edge of the Tibetan Plateau south of the Tarim Basin and the Gansu Corridor and continues east south of the Wei River to end at the North China Plain.The...
in the far western regions of China, near present-day Qinghai
Qinghai
Qinghai ; Oirat Mongolian: ; ; Salar:) is a province of the People's Republic of China, named after Qinghai Lake...
and Xinjiang
Xinjiang
Xinjiang is an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China. It is the largest Chinese administrative division and spans over 1.6 million km2...
. Due to its geographical location, it is seldom heard of in the jianghu
Jianghu
The jianghu is the milieu, environment, or sub-community, often fictional, in which many Chinese wuxia stories are set.In modern Chinese culture, jianghu is commonly accepted as an alternative universe coexisting with the actual historical one in which the context of the wuxia genre was set...
before its rise to prominence.
History
The sect has its origins in the Zhou DynastyZhou Dynasty
The Zhou Dynasty was a Chinese dynasty that followed the Shang Dynasty and preceded the Qin Dynasty. Although the Zhou Dynasty lasted longer than any other dynasty in Chinese history, the actual political and military control of China by the Ji family lasted only until 771 BC, a period known as...
during the reign of King Wu of Zhou
King Wu of Zhou
King Wu of Zhōu or King Wu of Chou was the first sovereign, or ruler of the Chinese Zhou Dynasty. The dates of his reign are 1046-1043 BCE or 1049/45-1043. Various sources quoted that he died at the age of 93, 54 or 43. He was considered a just and able leader. Zhou Gong Dan was one of his...
. According to legend, its founders are Laozi
Laozi
Laozi was a mystic philosopher of ancient China, best known as the author of the Tao Te Ching . His association with the Tao Te Ching has led him to be traditionally considered the founder of Taoism...
and Yuanshi Tianzun. Yuanshi Tianzun has 12 disciples who become the 12 Elders of Kunlun. Therefore, Kunlun has its roots in Taoism, but it does not follow Taoist practices strictly.
Kunlun's rise to prominence in the jianghu only comes after pugilists such as He Zudao make their name through their prowess in martial arts and deeds of gallantry. Kunlun's subsequent leaders lead the sect towards greater heights and achieving its glorified status in the jianghu as one of the major orthodox sects. Kunlun is also the greatest and most famous sect in the western regions and worthy of comparison with other famous sects such as Shaolin
Shaolin Sect
The Shaolin Sect is a fictional Chinese martial arts sect featured in several wuxia works. It is one of the largest, most famous and recognised orthodox and righteous sects in the jianghu. Its home base is at present-day Shaolin Monastery in Henan...
and Wudang
Wudang Sect
The Wudang Sect is a fictional Chinese martial arts sect featured in several works of wuxia fiction. It is one of the most famous and recognised orthodox and righteous sects in the jianghu. Its home base is in the Wudang Mountains...
from the Central Plains
Central Plain (China)
Zhongyuan or the Central Plain of China refers to the area on the lower reaches of the Yellow River which formed the cradle of Chinese civilization. It forms part of the North China Plain....
.
The Kunlun Sect is one of the righteous sects and maintains strict discipline within the sect. Members are forbidden to associate themselves with the unorthodox and "evil" sects or they will be expelled. Their code of conduct is somewhat similar to most of the orthodox sects. Although Kunlun is a Taoist sect like Quanzhen
Quanzhen School
The Quanzhen School of Taoism originated in Northern China. It was founded by the Taoist Wang Chongyang in the 12th century, during the rise of the Jin Dynasty...
and Wudang, it does accept members of both sexes as well. Members are allowed to marry and are not bound by any code to maintain vegetarian diets.
Some of the notable traits of Kunlun are that Kunlun has a strong desire to become one of the superpowers in the jianghu and its members are especially ambitious in their plans. In Jin Yong's The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber, He Zudao and He Taichong are depicted as ruthless and ambitious individuals who wish to rule the jianghu. He Taichong, in particular, is depicted as a morally bankrupt villain who resorts to unscrupulous means in his attempt to seize hold of the Dragon-Slaying Saber and use it to dominate the jianghu.
List of fictional Kunlun Sect martial arts
- Fist styles
- Ascending Dragon Fist (升龍拳)
- Heaven-shaking Fist (震天拳法)
- Thousand Dragons Playing in the Air Fist (千龍嬉空拳)
- Palm styles
- Hidden Dragon Ascending Heaven Palm (潛龍升天掌)
- Crane-releasing Dragon-capturing Hand (縱鶴擒龍手)
- Kunlun Palm (崑崙掌)
- Swan-falling Palm (落雁掌)
- Finger styles
- Crane-releasing Dragon-capturing Finger (縱鶴擒龍指)
- Grabbing styles
- Apparently Sealed Hand (如封似閉手)
- Kunlun Pleasant Hand (崑崙如意手)
- Three Yin Hand (三陰手)
- Sword styles
- Soaring Dragon in the Sky Swordplay (飛龍在天劍法)
- Ten Styles of Life-taking Swift Sword (奪命快劍十式)
- Pleasant Linked Life-taking Sword (如意連環奪命劍)
- Swift Dragon Lightning Sword (迅龍閃電劍)
- Silent Scentless Sword Stroke (無聲無色劍招)
- Kunlun Swordplay (崑崙劍法)
- Swift Lightning Swordplay (迅雷劍法)
- Dual Swordplay (正兩儀劍法)
- Raining Flying Flowers Swordplay (雨打飛花劍法)
- Saber styles
- Wuji Qianyuan Saber (舞極潛淵刀)
- Projectile weapon skills
- Shower of Flowers (漫天花雨)
- Movement skills (Qinggong)
- Three Twists of the Dragon in the Clouds (雲龍三折)
- Dragon Soars in the Nine Heavens (飛龍九天)
- Treading on Snow Without Footprints (踏雪無痕)
- Inner energy skills
- Mystical Heavenly Wuji Skill (玄天無極功)
- Vajra Prajñā Divine Skill (金剛般若神功)
- Nine Dragons Soaring in the Sky Skill (九龍飛天心法)
- Formations
- Icy Plum Sword Formation (寒梅劍陣)
- Murky Sword Formation (混沌劍陣)
External links
Kunlun Sect on Baidu BaikeBaidu Baike
Baidu Encyclopedia is a Chinese language collaborative Web-based encyclopedia provided by the Chinese search engine Baidu. Like Baidu itself, the encyclopedia is heavily self-censored in line with government regulations....