A Brief History of Pak Mei

White Eyebrow kung fu, known as Pak Mei (Cantonese) or Bai Mei (Mandarin), stems from Taoist martial arts and traditions. The origins likely beginning at Mount Ngor Mei (E-Mei) near the end of the Ming Dynasty.

There are many legends and stories surrounding the art; as many false as are true. What is known is that the style started sometime between 1650-1700 with the life of a Taoist monk known for his long white eyebrows, known as Pak Mei (literally White Eyebrow). Prior to the 19th century the art had been passed down only to those in the monastic life.

Pak Mei, the monk, has become somewhat of a Chinese folk legend mired in controversy. His famous fighting skill was equally offset by his infamy as antagonist in the story of the 5 Elders/Masters of the Southern Shaolin Temple. This story has largely come from popular fiction and grassroots word-of-mouth urban legends with no recorded historical sources.

Chueng Lai Chuen

The Pak Mei style was formally brought to the secular world by Grand Master (GM) Cheung Lai Chuen (1880 -1964) who came from Guangzhou, southern China. In 1949 following WWII, he moved from Guangzhou to Hong Kong. His cousin and training partner was the equally famous martial artist Lam Yiu Gwai, the Grand Master of Long Ying (Dragon) kung fu.

GM Cheung was the first “outsider” to learn the art of Pak Mei and brought it great fame. He fought many challenges, building a widespread reputation of extraordinary skill. This reputation led to him being invited to teach at the Whampoa Military Academy as a combat instructor.

The popularised Pak Mei style is an amalgamation of GM Cheung’s kung fu theories and techniques.

Leung Siu Hoi

Our stream of Pak Mei was inherited from Sigung Leung Siu Hoi (1918 - 1987). Sigung studied martial arts under GM Cheung, GM Lam Yiu Gwai, and also under the close tuteluge of his kung fu brother, Ha Hon Hung (who later went on to found the Yau Kung Moon style).

Known as “Sai Kwan (西關 / West Gate) Leung Siu Hoi”, Sigung was a well known figure in the Liwan area of Guangzhou. In those turbulent times of China’s modern history, Sigung and a few of his kung fu brothers safeguarded the commercial activity of the dock areas near the West Gate of Guangzhou. It was still a very different time and place compared to modern day Guangzhou.

Real world skills and application were required to hold an occupation such as Sigung’s. His fighting prowess was well known in martial arts circles as he regularly saw off challengers. He was well known for accepting challenges by first drawing a large cross on the ground. He would then tell his opponent, “You choose which quadrant you want me to knock you down into. If I miss, then you win.” Sigung had frightening speed and accuracy.

Leung Yuk Sing

Our Sifu, Leung Yuk Sing (no relation), studied exclusively under Leung Siu Hoi in Guangzhou before moving to Sydney, Australia in the late 80’s. He continues to carry on Sigung’s teachings to the present day.

More information can be found here.