It is very difficult to determine the exact place and time of the origin of Kung Fu. The arrival of the Indian Buddhist Bodhidharma (who was also known as Da Mo) to Shao-lin Temple in 520 is often mentioned as an important moment in the development of Kung Fu. (Shao-lin is the name of the Monastery in Henan province in China. Many consider it to be a cradle of Kung Fu. Translated Shao-lin means Young Forest.)
When Bodhidharma came to the Temple, he found that monks, although spiritually strong, were physically exhausted by endless meditations. In order to help them to improve their physical condition, he devised an exercise system called 18 hands of Lo Han ("18 Movements of the Lohan Hands") (practice consisting of 18 moves). Many people consider that this exercise system that also contained some defence techniques is the first step towards what we today call Chinese martial arts.
The exercise that Bodhidharma showed to the monks served as the base for many styles among which is one of the first styles called The style of five animals (tiger, leopard, snake, crane and dragon). Many famous Kung Fu styles from so called Shao-lin school came from this style.
One of characteristics which makes Chinese martial arts famous and recognizable is imitation of movements of different animals while performing certain techniques.
The position of the Temple, the fact that it was often exposed to the attacks from the outside, while at the same time providing shelter to many people forced its inhabitants to perfect martial arts with and without weapons in order to protect themselves. The Temple was destroyed several times, and the result of it was that many monks left it. Scattered all over China, they spread their knowledge of martial arts.
Although Bodhidharmas and Shao-lin monks efforts are undoubtedly important, large number of Kung Fu styles originated independently from it. A lot of people never heard of the existence of so called "Southern Shaolin", (a monastery in the Fujian province) which was also one of the places where martial arts originated and developed.
There are hundreds of different Kung Fu styles, varying from those that are mutually very similar to those that are mutually very different.
