Kinlai and the Kung Fu salute

The greeting, also called Kinlai, is common in Kung Fu and Tai Chi Chuan academies, made between students and masters and also addressed to the central altar and the photos of the masters. It is a “variation of the Buddhist greeting used in the monastery where the style developed”.
The greeting is linked to Taoism, where while the closed hand indicates physical strength, the active principle of yang energy and the animal character (tiger), the open hand represents the predominance of the internal faculties, the passive principle of yin energy, the spiritual character (dragon) of the human being.

This greeting was done, in some cases, to prevent the other person, an expert in Chin Na (Qin Na), from having the opportunity to strike him if the hands were held as they are here in the West.

It is known that the fact that it is like the figure 1one on top of the other, it’s a friendlier greeting. I greet you with my hand wide open, as in main figure of this article it means more respect for those in front of you, like a teacher for example.

There are two different ways to do this greeting, but the most correct way is with the right hand closed and the left hand open. In the past the opposite was done and it was modified for two reasons:

1. The soldiers, since in most cases they were right-handed, held their weapons with their right hand and in order not to let it go, they saluted them several times holding it as in figure 3, which forced the change to the current way.
2. The closed left hand salute was used before the Zhou dynasty and still used by the Han, but the rebels in favor of the transition to the Ming dynasty, during the Qing dynasty, did the opposite to remember two ideograms, Sun 日 and Moon 月, which combined formed the Ming symbol. Since the Shao Lin monks were on the side of the rebels, all of them and their descendants began to use this greeting.

The reverse greeting is nowadays also considered a sign of mourning and also attracts bad luck.

The way to greet with both hands open is for religious people to demonstrate that they come peacefully and unarmed, as is evident in this position.

Opening of lessons
Professor: Dà jiā hăo Hello everyone (olá turma)
Students: Lăo shī hăo 老師好 (hello teacher)

End of the lesson
Professor: Dà jiā zài jiàn Goodbye everyone (até logo turma)
Alunos: Lăo shī zài jiàn Goodbye, teacher (até professor logo)

Conclusion

The Kinlai greeting in Kung Fu and Tai Chi Chuan embodies far more than a simple gesture; it is a symbolic expression of respect, balance, and philosophical depth. Practiced between students and masters, as well as toward the central altar and portraits of previous masters, this greeting reflects centuries of martial and spiritual tradition. Rooted in Buddhist customs and enriched by Taoist symbolism, it serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of physical skill, inner development, and ethical conduct within martial arts practice.

In the Kinlai, the closed hand represents physical strength, yang energy, and the dynamic qualities of the external world, often associated with the tiger’s fierce power. In contrast, the open hand embodies internal awareness, yin energy, and the contemplative, spiritual qualities represented by the dragon. By bringing the two together, the practitioner acknowledges the harmony between body and mind, action and reflection, strength and restraint. This union is at the core of martial arts philosophy, teaching that true mastery is achieved through balance rather than dominance.

Beyond its symbolic meaning, the greeting also reinforces discipline, mindfulness, and mutual respect within the dojo. Performing it consistently instills a sense of humility, awareness, and connection with the lineage of the art, reminding students that they are part of a long-standing tradition that transcends individual achievement.

Ultimately, the Kinlai greeting exemplifies how martial arts integrate physical practice with ethical and spiritual cultivation. It encourages practitioners to approach training with reverence, awareness, and balance, cultivating both external skill and internal wisdom. Through this simple yet profound gesture, students are reminded that the essence of martial arts lies not only in technique but in the harmonious development of body, mind, and spirit.