What is Ox Tongue?

[ParryPerson]

I see old transcripts and such calling a basic flat palm, with thumb to the side and bent (not like a piercing palm) an ox tongue palm, but I see others calling a, palm flat, thumb up about 90 degrees if palm facing up, pointer finger stretched, an ox tongue palm....

which is it?

[Jake]

Jerry,

An ox-tounge palm is fairly flat with the thumb folded over and reaching to the last (where the joint and the palm meet) knuckle of the little finger. He Jin Bao would say the palm should look like a tile on a roof.

[D_Glenn]

Also as HJB has said "the hand and arm are like a cow's tounge (as felt in a butcher's shop)- extremely hard, like a rock, yet still pliable and flexible."

.

[ParryPerson]

Ok, thats something more like I was taught.

I wonder why some pictures show a piercing palm or regular palm just flat as "ox tongue"?

[Chris Fleming]

[Doc Stier]

Oh, yeah....these are considered a culinary delicacy, especially in certain Teutonic circles, along with beef hearts, calf livers, head cheese, pig's feet, and other asundry animal body parts.

Oops, sorry. That's not what we were talking about here. Getting back on topic, I think it was this:


Ox Tongue Palm

Doc

[Darthwing Teorist]

Head cheese?

[mixjourneyman]

Head cheese?

Think Jelly with meat in it.

[Darthwing Teorist]

Mmm... All of these are fine choices. Too bad we don't get them in restaurants over here. Seriously. Yummy! Fried brain is especially delicious.

[ParryPerson]

Oh, yeah....these are considered a culinary delicacy, especially in certain Teutonic circles, along with beef hearts, calf livers, head cheese, pig's feet, and other asundry animal body parts.

Oops, sorry. That's not what we were talking about here. Getting back on topic, I think it was this:


Ox Tongue Palm

Doc

Ok now I'm really confused. Unless I'm just mishearing a different palm shape. The one I'm doing has the thumb stretched OUT and then it's "lifted" (if the palm is facing upwards) up about 90degrees and the thumb and pointer finger "stretch" away from each other making the palm hollow.

Zoinks.

[Chris Fleming]

Back when I was learning yin style, there were different positions to place the thumb according to different uses in application. There are variations in yin style anyway, so just do what your teacher shows you. Look for similarities rather than differences.

[H2O_Dragon]

Oops, sorry. That's not what we were talking about here. Getting back on topic, I think it was this:


Ox Tongue Palm

Doc

I gotta ask the obvious question; what is it used for?

[Doc Stier]

I gotta ask the obvious question; what is it used for?

Yo, Dragon:

Forward thrusting techniques, finger jabs, and other similar applications are among the possible uses of the 'Ox Tongue Palm'. In each instance, these are techniques which risk potential injury to the thumb, if it is allowed to remain in it's normal, open position relative to the hand and fingers.

This palm shape is also commonly seen in use by Law Enforcement Officers directing traffic and by theater ushers showing patrons to their seats. Practical gung-fu is everywhere!

Doc

[Doc Stier]

Head cheese?

Think Jelly with meat in it.

Doc

[cdobe]

Head cheese?

Think Jelly with meat in it.

Doc

Yummy