What Is Tradition?

What Is Tradition?

Tradition is a defining feature of human culture, linking one generation to the next through the preservation of practices, values, and knowledge. Some traditions remain largely unchanged, while others evolve with new circumstances or eventually fade. At the most familiar level, traditions manifest in everyday customs such as a handshake and bowing, which convey respect and social engagement. Beyond conventions lie more specialized systems of knowledge and practice, such as the healing traditions of Chinese medicine and acupuncture, which have been honed over centuries of refinement. At even deeper levels, philosophical traditions like Confucianism provide enduring frameworks for ethical conduct, wisdom, and self-cultivation, dating back over 2,500 years. Finally, there are profound religious traditions like Daoism and Buddhism, which encompass spiritual discipline, metaphysical belief, and moral guidance. Within this broad spectrum, martial traditions—such as Seven Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu—occupy a distinct place. This martial tradition unites practical, ethical, cultural, and spiritual practices, forming a living inheritance that integrates self-preservation, self-vitalization, and self-realization.

Tradition, as defined by Shils, includes the practices, beliefs, customs, rituals, objects, and shared memories that bind a community across time. (1) It serves as both a cultural inheritance and a living connection to the past, enabling the transmission of knowledge and values across generations while allowing for adaptation. While traditions may evolve through the introduction of new variants, their continuity depends on the preservation of core elements that remain stable and recognizable. For a tradition to endure, these elements must be perceived as authentic—either by faithfully reflecting their origins or convincingly embodying their spirit—so that they are embraced by successive generations.

Expanding on this, Soares frames tradition as a “reservoir for the living,” sustained by a distinct social group with a shared identity. (2) Living traditions require that these collective memories be tangibly embodied in the material environment—through artifacts, spaces, or practices—and be animated by a “spirit of continuity.” This emphasizes tradition’s adaptive value, showing that the past is not merely preserved but actively mobilized to address contemporary challenges.

Both Shils and Soares underscore the critical role of custodians—those who inherit, embody, and transmit the tradition. Custodians are responsible for safeguarding its present integrity and future vitality, serving as active stewards who ensure that the tradition remains faithful to its origins while adapting to the changing needs of society. (1,2)

It is important to distinguish between a living tradition and what might be called fossilized traditionalism. A living tradition is defined by its ability to maintain internal coherence while adapting to new conditions. It is a way of life, a value-laden practice that sustains both skill and meaning over time. Fossilized tradition, by contrast, only preserves surface-level forms—rituals, symbols, or aesthetics—while the inner logic and moral orientation have been lost or forgotten.

This article is a short excerpt from our flagship research publication, Reflections on Tradition and Return to Meaning in Martial Tradition. Download link here.

Endnotes
1. Soares, J. A. 1997. A reformulation of the concept of tradition. International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy. 17(6): 6-21.
2. Shils, E.C. 1981. Tradition. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
3. Nathan Wright, September 2025, The World as It Is and the Realities of Violence,” Northern Sage Kung Fu, https://northernsagekungfu.com/the-world-as-it-is-and-the-realities-of-violence/

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About The Author

Nathan A. Wright
Nathan is the Managing Director and Chief Instructor at Northern Sage Kung Fu Academy, and Chief Representative of Luo Guang Yu Seven Star Praying Mantis in Canada and China. With over 25 years of experience living in China, he is deeply committed to passing on traditional martial arts in its most sincere form. As part of his passion Nathan regularly writes on related topics of self-defense, combat, health, philosophy, ethics, personal cultivation, and leadership. Email Nathan if you have questions on this article, or if you have interest in learning more about studying traditional Seven Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu.

 

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