The Eagle Claw Fist is a martial arts technique which drew its components from the eagle’s Xing (form), Yi (intent), and fighting method. Created in the Qing Dynasty by Liu Shijun from Xiong county in Hebei Province, the Eagle Claw Fist imitated the snatching and wing-turning movements of the eagle, and gradually became a large sect after continuous developments and integrations by later generations through the ages. The Eagle Claw Fist was popular in Hebei, Beijing, Hunan, Hubei, Guangxi, Guangdong, Sichuan and elsewhere. It is also practiced in Southeast Asia, Europe, Latin America and so forth.

The Eagle Claw Fist features rich claw techniques in various acts of seizing, locking, catching and grabbing, delivered in upward or downward turns at fast and continuous speed. It keeps vigorous body postures, maintains skillful hand-and-eye coordination, executes swift body movements and generates a powerful burst of force. A song of martial arts described it as thus: “Hands are turning up and down like the eagle’s claws; arms are expanding left and right like the eagle’s wings. It’s as fast as a golden eagle’s dive to snatch little chicks, as slow as the eagle’s laborious soar through the high skies, as swift as geese chased asunder by sparrows and hawks, and as alert as an eagle’s highland scout…” The practice of Eagle Claw Fist emphasizes swift changes by alternated slow and fast moves. The hands should sync with sight and power with intent.