Three Emperors’ Cannon Fist is also known as Cannon Fist. It is a fist form of the Three Emperors’ Style.

It is so called because the fist is formed like the hammer and it is forceful as the cannon.

Three Emperors Cannon Fist is built on the harmonizing effects of yin and yang, the complementary action of force and flexibility and the combined use of feints, attacks, advance and retreat. Qi (energy) is its core and power is at the forefront. The cross-hand hammer is its basis and the circular stance is its root. The Book of Fists states, “This particular fist form has qi at its heart and power at its forefront. Qi is the master, power is the servant. Where the master and servant work in harmony, one can expect to overcome the opponent.” The fist form requires the functional coordination of the hand, eye, body and footwork with the mind, focus and strength. The integration of the mind, breathing and movement is of vital importance.

Cannon Fist has a foundation of softness, but its application calls for vigour, as witnessed in the saying, “the hard fist is trained in softness.” The techniques are plain and without fanciful moves. The focus is on practicability. Vigour is its main feature, but it is used in combination with softness. The main features include approaches to the centre, the use of long and short fists, the use of the sliding step to move forward, and there are relatively few high kicks. It is a fist form that is versatile and agile, steady, strong and forceful as the cannon. In training, it is important to keep the mind calm and focused. The move to generate power is like opening a bow and the force is then released like an arrow. Advance and retreat are regarded as one, so that advance is retreat and vice versa, and both are dictated by the transformative actions of yin and yang. The health benefits of training in the Cannon Fist include balancing the mind and spirit, improved circulation, as well as strengthening the bones and tendons