Do you that the word ‘martial’ comes from the Roman God of War, Mars? Put together, the term ‘Martial Arts’ literally means arts of war.

Introduced in the 15th Century by the Europeans who are already referring to their own fighting arts that are today known as Historical European martial arts. In most cultures, the term “Martial Arts” often specifically refers to the combat systems that originated in East Asian cultures.

However, the term actually refers to any sort of codified combat systems, regardless of origin. Europe is home to many extensive systems of martial arts, both living traditions (e.g. stick and sword fencing and Savate, a French kicking style developed by sailors and street fighters) and older systems collectively referred to as Historical European martial arts.

In America, Native Americans have a tradition of open-handed martial arts, which includes wrestling, and Hawaiians have historically practiced arts featuring small and large joint manipulation. A mix of origins occur in the athletic movements of Capoeira, a practice that was created in Brazil by slaves and was based on skills brought with them from Africa.