The Snake Fist (She Quan), also known as “She Xing Quan” (Snake-running Fist), is a fist fighting technique that combines the imitation of various snake movements and attack techniques. Snake Fist was already included in Shaolin Quan and Southern Fist during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). In the Qing Dynasty, both Xing Yi Quan and Ba Gua Zhang also had the snake styles. Snake Fist is primarily practiced in Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, Sichuan, Hong Kong, Taiwan and so on.

The hand styles of the Snake Fist are based upon the snake-shaped palms, such as Chuan (pierce), Cha (plug), Zuan (drill), An (press), Pi (split), Bai (wave), Tiao (prick) and others. Its footwork includes the bow steps, horse steps, kneeling steps, and T-shaped steps. Its movements are characterized by the alternating use of toughness and softness, and proper opening and closure. Its strength is primarily based on softness, but toughness is hidden in it. The upper limbs and the torso must be relaxed and soft, while the stance (Zhuang) of the lower limbs should be firm and flexible. The Snake Fist has very high practical values. In actual combat, the body slightly waves, the footwork is nimble, and both hands flicker. Fingers are used to jab the throat and palms are applied to strike the ribs. When power is executed, vocal sound is used to boost the aggressiveness, Qi is exerted to urge the force, and eyes are used for psychological effects.

The drill work (Tao Lu) of the Snake Fist is primarily composed of such moves as the Shen She Lian Yue (Snake God Practicing with the Moon), Jin She Lu Qi (Golden Snake Rising on Land), She Pan Tian Zhen (Snake Coiling Innocence), Bai She Pen Mo (White Snake Spitting Foam), Teng She Zou Wu (Rising Snake Moves in the Mist), and Jiao She Ying Wei (Horned Snake’s Responding Tail) in imitation of the circling, extending, swallowing and tongue-hissing of the snake. The Snake Fist also includes weapon techniques such as the She Xing Dao (Snake-running Blade) and She Xing Jian (Snake-running Sword).