There are a few stories as to how Wing Chun came into being. The one i think sounds best (^^) goes as follows.
The Shaolin Monks developed many effective fighting systems, and practiced them in monastaries fastidiously. At the time Wing
Chun was created, China was under rule by the Manchu Government of Manchuria. The Manchu government saw the Shaolin as a dangerous
threat, and tried to wipe them out. Although largely more effective fighters, the Shaolin were out numbered, and it took far
too long to train new rebel recruits (it takes 18 years to become a Wushu master).
It was decided that the Masters of each fighting form would meet, and submit their most deadly techniques,
from which a new system would be created. This new system would concentrate more on ending the fight than anything else, and
would be much easier and faster to learn.
It would contain fewer forms, and just generally be used as a way to win. However, news of the meeting reached
the government, who payed insiders to set light to the temple while soldiers attacked from outside.
The survivors scattered.
Buddhist Abbess Ng Mui escaped to the White
Crane Temple on Mt. Tai Leung. There she met a fifteen year old girl called Wing Chun. Wing Chun was beautiful, and this fact
had attracted the attention of a bully who tried to force Wing Chun to marry him. Ng Mui taught Wing Chun how to defend herself
using the new system developed on the night of the meeting. Wing Chun prooved an able student, and beat the bully in a fight.
It was after her that the system was called: Wing Chun, meaning 'Praise Spring.'
For a long time, Wing chun was kept secret, until in 1952, grand Master
Yip Man opened the first public school of Wing chun.
