What does the closed fist covered by open hand signify?

Question

This motion shows up in some styles of Karate (opening movement of several Shotokan kata - Bassai Dai, Jiin, Jion, Jitte) and some Kung-Fu styles. What does it represent?

Answer 1

This ritual is called Bao Quan (抱拳), literally meaning "Fist Wrapping", and is a common etiquette derived from (but not exclusive to) Chinese Martial Arts. It is not necessarily a bow, but rather a salute. Traditionally, this is practiced by:

• Standing upright, the body straight.
• Clenching the right fist.
• Straighten your left palm to have your four fingers in a plane.
• Wrap the left four fingers together around the right fist.
• Place the two hands in front of your chest, without bringing the elbows up. [Edit: I come to understand that the elbows may or may not be "up" dependent upon the situation, locality, or perhaps personal preference.]

There are two traditional explanations.

1. The left palm with its 4 fingers represent the 4 nurturing elements: Virtue, Wisdom, Health, and Art. These symbolize the spirit of martial arts. The left thumb is slightly bent to imply one should never be arrogant or self-centered. The right fist symbolizes rigorous practice. Since the right hand is clenched in a fist, it symbolizes attack, while the left, being virtuous and disciplined, stops the attack, symbolizing self-discipline and restraint.

2. The left hand symbolizes the 5 (major) lakes of China, the fist representing the 4 seas surrounding China. The two hands together show the unity of martial artists. This is exemplified in the saying 五湖四海皆兄弟 (I believe wu hu si hai joe xiongdi, but I don't know much Chinese), which means "The people of the 5 lakes and 4 seas are all brothers." This, I'm lead to understand, is commonly taught as a meaning to Bak Mei practitioners. This also has ties to the Hung Society, but this trends off-topic.

Edit: I have also heard numerous other explanations from various instructors in different styles of Kempo and Wushu, ranging from the "Right is war, left is peace" to the meeting of Taoist (right) and Buddhist (left) cultures in unity. The two I list as traditional (above) come from sources who've been very helpful in researching things in the past. These edit-included excuses tend to be perpetuated down less reputable lines.

Answer 2

In the system that I teach in, the left hand symbolizes the mind, the right symbolizes the body. We have three bows as you progress through training:

1. For beginners, the hands are at the side in a fist to symbolize your mind and body are far apart.
2. Roughly half way to Black Belt, hands together similar to the picture, however left hand fingers are straight out, symbolizes your mind and body are coming closer together.
3. From 1st Degree and up, as in the picture above to symbolize your mind and body have come together.

Answer 3

There are many reasons for this action. It is, by the way, not the opening movement of a form, but a salute, a ritualistic motion. Here are a few reasons:

• Closed hand is aggression, fight & open hand is peace. Cover aggression with peace to indicate that there is such a power within you but you choose not to use it.
• Closed hand is yang, open hand is yin. Join yin and yang.
• Connect the meridians from the specific point in the open left hand to the specific point in the knuckle of the right hand to close an energetic loop in the body