Hung Gar in Chinese is called Hongjiaquan.
It originates from Southern China, although its history is yet to
be verified.
The style begins from Southern Shaolin monk Gee Seen Sim See during
a time of turmoil and strife when China was under the rule of Qing
dynasty (Manchu). Gee is said to be from North Shaolin, but fled to
Southern Shaolin when the Qing troops burned down Northern Shaolin
Temple. He fled to Fukien Province and eventually settled down at
Southern Shaolin Temple.
There, he taught many people Shaolin gongfu, including
non-buddists.
A young patriot named Hung Hei Goon also took refuge at Southern
Shaolin Temple. Hung also trained under Gee and was Gee's top
disciple. Hung is widely said to Hung Gar founder.
As the Manchu people suppressed martial arts training, Hung taught
his art secretly. When the suppression ended, he taught the art
openly and named it Hung Gar Kuen (Hung family fist) to conceal the
art's connections with Shaolin.