Literally translated, "wu" is military, "shu" is art. Wushu therefore means the art of fighting, or martial arts.

Previously, wushu figured significantly in the simple matter of survival through China's many wars and political upheaval. Today, wushu has been organized and systematized into a formal branch of study in the performance arts by the Chinese. It's emphasis has shifted from combat to performance, and it is practiced for its method of achieving heath, self-defense skills, mental discipline, recreational pursuit and competition.

Every movement in Wushu must exhibit sensible combat application and aestheticism. The wealth of wushu's content, the beauty of wushu movements, the difficulty factor, and the scientific training methods set wushu apart from martial arts. Routines are performed solo, paired or in groups, either barehanded or armed with traditional Chinese weaponry.