Martial Arts Atlas 武林地圖
Where can you learn from the source? Shifus, lineage holders, Shaolin and Daoist temples, cultural centers and historic head schools around the world. Click a marker or a name to see what they teach and how to reach them.
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A word you'll meet everywhere
What is a shifu? 師父
Shifu (Cantonese sifu) is the Chinese title for a skilled teacher. It is a form of address, not a rank like a black belt, much as sensei is in Japan. Two characters are pronounced almost the same:
- 師傅 (shīfù), meaning "master-mentor", used respectfully for skilled tradespeople, craftsmen and technicians.
- 師父 (shīfu), meaning "master-father", used for teachers of self-cultivation: martial artists, monks, Daoist priests and teachers of the arts.
A traditional school works like a family. A student who formally becomes a disciple in a bai shi (拜師) ceremony gains a place in the lineage, and fellow students become older and younger brothers and sisters.
The martial family 武林家族
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 師父 shifu | Teacher / master ("teacher-father") |
| 師母 shimu | Wife of one's shifu |
| 師公 shigong | Your shifu's teacher |
| 師伯 / 師叔 shibo / shishu | Senior / junior classmates of your shifu ("uncles") |
| 師兄 / 師姐 shixiong / shijie | Senior brother / sister in the school |
| 師弟 / 師妹 shidi / shimei | Junior brother / sister |
| 徒弟 tudi | Disciple / student |
Shaolin monks also carry a generation name: Shi Yan Ming is 34th generation, Shi Heng Chao and Shi Heng Yi are 35th. Read more ↗
Information gathered from public sources (October 2026). ✔ = website confirmed during research; for other entries use the search link and confirm details directly with the school. Teaching locations change – always contact a school before visiting. Know a lineage holder or school that should be here? Tell us.