Hierarchy in the Chinese Martial Arts School (Wushu Guan)

Chinese martial arts are steeped in culture and tradition. Honorific titles have profound significance, and they convey politeness, respect, and deference toward seniors and the elderly.

Traditionally, in the Wushu Guan, or Kung Fu Kwoon, there are many honorific titles that indicate the hierarchy from the master to the lowest-ranking student. Some of the most widely used terms follow. They are rendered here in Pinyin (Chinese Mandarin}.

Titles used within the immediate Guan:

Shifu (師父)- Literally, Teacher-Father. This is the term used within the Martial Arts Training Hall. This title is equivalent to Sensei in the Okinawan and Japanese martial arts, but it does not have the same philosophical meaning or significance.

Shimu (師母): This honorific title is reserved for Shifu’s wife. 

Shixiong (師兄): Older training brother

Shijie (師姐): Older training sister

Shidi (師弟): Younger training brother

Shimei (師妹): Younger training sister

Honorific titles used outside of the immediate Guan but relate to the Shifu:  

Shigong (師公): A title used for the Shifu’s teacher.

Shibo (師伯): This title is used for an elder training brother of the Shihong. 

Titles in Mainland China

With the advent of the Communist takeover of mainland China, many honorific titles were done away with and their use forbidden. The term Lao Shi (老師) (the literal translation is Old Teacher but implies Teacher) is widely used in all fields that involve teaching an art or a skill. When Di Guoyong and Li Deyin visit our school, Lao Shi is the honorific title we use.

My personal view on honorific titles

Within my school, while I adhere to discipline and respect, I don’t hold to, nor do I require my students to use terms such Shixiong (Older Training Brother), or Shije (Older Training Sister). Senior students are responsible for being an example to their younger classmates. This responsibility is not borne through titles but through a sense of duty and by example.