Editing Wing Chun (section)

== Origins ==
{{For|Wing Chun branches, their history and features|Branches of Wing Chun}}

The definitive origin of Wing Chun remains unknown and is attributed to the development of [[Nanquan (martial art)|Southern Chinese martial arts]].<ref name=" Benjamin N. Judkins & Jon Nielson 2015">{{cite book|author=Benjamin N. Judkins & Jon Nielson|title=The Creation of Wing Chun: A Social History of the Southern Chinese Martial Arts|year=2015|publisher=SUNY Press|isbn=978-1-4384-5695-9|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H7s0CgAAQBAJ}}</ref> Complications in the history and documentation of Wing Chun are attributed to the art being passed from teacher to student orally, rather than in writing. Another reason is the secrecy of its development, due to its connections to Anti-Qing rebellious movements.<ref>Chu 2015, pg. 1-2, 106-108</ref>

There are at least eight different distinct lineages of Wing Chun, each having its own history of origin. Additionally, there are competing genealogies within the same branch or about the same individual teacher. The eight distinct lineages of Wing Chun which have been identified are:
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* [[Ip Man]]<ref name=Chu2 />
* [[Yuen Kay-shan]]<ref name=Chu3 /><ref>Leung Ting, pg.238</ref>
* Gu Lao Village<ref name=Chu4 /><ref>Leung Ting, page 289 & 290</ref>
* Nanyang / Cao Dean<ref name=Chu8 />
* [[Pan Nam]]<ref name=Chu5 />
* Pao Fa Lien<ref name=Chu6 />
* Hung Suen / Hung Gu Biu<ref name=Chu7 />
* [[Jee Shim]]<ref name=Chu9 /> / [[Weng Chun]]<ref>Leung, Ting (2000). Roots and Branches of Wing Tsun, Second edition (January 1, 2000). Leung Ting Co ,Hong Kong. ISBN 9627284238, pg. 53, 90-99</ref>
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Regardless of the origins espoused by various Wing Chun branches and lineages, there is much third-party controversy and [[Speculative reason|speculative]] theorizing regarding the true origins of Wing Chun. In the West, Wing Chun's history has become a mix of fact and fiction due to the impacts of early secrecy and modern marketing.<ref name=Chu1 />