Legend has it that a Shao Lin (Siu Lam) Buddhist Nun named Ng Mui invented a style of Kung Fu that was a fusion of White Crane and Snake techniques. She taught this new style of Kung Fu to a young lady named Yim Wing Chun. Yim Wing Chun later taught this style of Kung Fu to her husband, Leung Bok Chao. In honour of his wife, Leung Bok Chao named the Kung Fu style Wing Chun.

Another version of the origin of Wing Chun is that it was developed by members of the Red Junk Opera Company. Many of the members of the Red Junk Opera Company (including Wong Wah Bo, Leung Yee Tai and Dai Fa Min Kam) settled in or near Foshan (Futshan) and taught Wing Chun Kung Fu. Their students became well-known martial artists and included Dr Leung Jan, Fung Siu Ching and Fok Bo Chuen. They in turn trained the next generation of Wing Chun Masters, which included Chan Wah Shun (Money Changer Wah), Leung Bik, and Yuen Kay Shan.

Hong Kong (Yip Man) Wing Chun

This is by far the most well known form of Wing Chun Kung Fu today. Yip Man, a native of Foshan brought Wing Chun Kung Fu out of the bamboo curtain when he moved to Hong Kong in 1949. He studied Wing Chun under Chan Wah Shun, Leung Bik and Ng Chung So. Yip Man taught many students including his two sons, Yip Chun and Yip Ching. Yip Man's most famous student was Bruce Lee. Yip Man passed away in 1972.

Guang Zhou (Yuen Kay Shan) Wing Chun

Sum Nung studied Wing Chun in Foshan initially under Cheung Bo and then Yuen Kay Shan. Sum Nung later moved to Guang Zhou and taught Wing Chun Kung Fu there. He passed away in 2002.

Foshan (Pan Nam) Wing Chun

Pan Nam (aka Hak Min Nam) studied Wing Chun under Lai Hip Chi. Lai Hip Chi studied Wing Chun under Chan Wah Shun and one of Chan's most senior students, Lui Yiu Chai. Pan Nam taught Wing Chun in Foshan until he passed away in 1995.