詠春拳以實際的拳術戰鬥理論為主，以身體結構、關節活動及流體力學開始研究改進。詠春拳講求反應敏捷，注重技巧而非力量取勝。由淺入深。拳法只有小念頭、尋橋及標指3個套路，另有其他武技及基本功。詠春拳由河南嵩山少林寺出身的五枚師太所創，後來授藝予年僅十五歲的嚴詠春用於擊敗前來逼婚的土霸。詠春拳拳亦以她的名字命名。詠春婚後將武藝傳予夫婿梁博儔，其後梁博儔再傳予梁桂蘭，梁桂蘭再傳予黃華寶。黃華寶為棲身「紅船」之粵劇演員，與曾獲另一少林寺武僧至善禪師教授六點半棍的同袍梁二娣為伍。二人互相切磋武藝，彼此盡得所學，技法亦互相融合。其後梁二娣將技法傳予佛山名醫梁贊,梁贊後將其畢生所學重新整理，於贊生堂內收徒授拳，將其所學傳技於長子梁贊,陳華順及吳仲素等第子。及後傳至葉問再經他整理優化後傳至梁相，鄭北，黃淳梁及後來成為國際巨星的李小龍手中，詠春拳亦從此聞名。以下是詠春拳特點之逐項陳述：

Wing Chun is an efficient form of martial art which is effective, streamlined and highly simplified, with only 3 unarmed and 2 weapon forms within the style. The style was developed by the Shaolin nun Ng Mui. Ng Mui taught a new Kung Fu style which combined the best techniques from the broad array of traditional Shaolin kung fu, into simple, master style to a young lady named Yim Wing Chun, so she could defeat a warlord who wanted to force her into marriage with little effort, using his energy against him. The style was subsequently named Wing Chun. Wing Chun Style was then passed on through the years, until more recently when Ip Man learned the style and taught it to many people, including Bruce Lee who introduced Wing Chun Kung Fu to the western world.

勁無虛發   
Use Energy Wisely

“寸勁”乃詠春拳用作攻防之勁力，亦稱“彈勁”或“短勁”：這是一種短暫而有爆發性和能於短距離內發出殺傷力擊敵之勁力。勁力只在最後一刻爆發出來，減少氣力消耗量。

Use of energy is a very important aspect of Wing Chun. Use energy only when you need it. The opponent only feels it at the moment of impact so strength should only be used just before impact.

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放鬆  
Relaxation

詠春之所以為女性所創，正是因為人體早已與生俱來一種潛在力量，能令得學習者不需運用肌肉努力就能擊出極重的拳勁。放鬆是詠春拳快速反應的前提，越放鬆知覺敏感度越高反應越直接。

If you are tense you are using your strength to create muscle tension which slow and tire you down. In Wing Chun you must learn how to use less energy to counter greater energy.

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簡單直接  
Economy of motion

詠春拳動作少、殺傷力大，所有攻防動作都簡單直接，以最短距離完成，使用起來相當靈活省力。

All strikes and block go through the most direct route, the shortest distance in the quickest amount of time. Wing Chun moves are not big movements like other martial arts. It’s efficient and also helps conserve energy.

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中線理論  
Centre line theory

中線者由人體頭頂至尾閭（尾龍骨）之線。人身大部份要害皆集中於中線。若將敵我中線之攻防把握得好，在打鬥中是絕對有利的。

Your centre line runs down the middle of your body, from the top of head, down through your chest to your groin which are the most vulnerable parts of your body. You must protect the centre line at all times with your defence and strikes. Everything in Wing Chun revolves around this theory.