The exact year Wing Chun (詠春) was created is not definitively known, as the origins of the martial art are steeped in legend and historical uncertainty. However, it is generally believed to have been developed during the mid-17th century, around the 1640s to 1700s.

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The most widely accepted historical origin of Wing Chun is that it was created by Ng Mui, a Buddhist nun and one of the Five Elders of Shaolin, who escaped the destruction of the Shaolin Temple in the late 1600s. According to legend, Ng Mui developed the system after observing the movements of a snake and a crane, combining their techniques into a practical, efficient martial art. She is said to have passed on the system to Yim Wing Chun, a young woman who used it to defeat an abusive suitor, thus giving the martial art its name.

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Although the precise year is not documented, most sources agree that Wing Chun began to take form in the mid-1600s, with the system later being passed down through generations, including notable practitioners such as Leung Jan in the 19th century and Ip Man in the 20th century, who helped popularize the style worldwide.

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Another noteworthy thing to point out is the meanings of the characters composing the name Wing Chun, sometimes translated together as "Eternal Spring". This interpretation draws on the meanings of the individual characters 詠 (Wing) and 春 (Chun). 詠 (Wing), meaning "to chant" or "to praise," suggests an ongoing, continuous expression, while 春 (Chun), meaning "spring," symbolizes renewal, growth, and vitality. Together, they convey the idea of the Wing Chun practitioner as an ever-evolving martial artist, like an eternal spring that brings constant renewal. ​

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Legends aside, Wing Chun is a concept-based martial art that emphasizes efficiency, directness, and adaptability. Rather than focusing on rigid techniques, it teaches practitioners to understand and apply core principles in order to develop specific qualities that become inherent in every movement. Key concepts include maintaining a relaxed structure supporting natural movement, using economy of motion to minimize effort while maximizing effect, controlling the centreline for simultaneous attack and defence, and developing sensitivity to opponents intentions through Chi Sau, or "Sticky Hands". By creating a strong supportive structure and integrating tactics of attack and defence, Wing Chun enables practitioners to react swiftly and intelligently in dynamic situations, making it a versatile and intuitive system for self-defence and combat.

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Wing Chun is structured around a series of forms that teach fundamental principles, techniques, and strategies. These forms are essential to developing a deep understanding of Wing Chun’s martial philosophy and combat techniques. The forms of Wing Chun are as follows: