Salute – actually is not a form, the name means introduction, greeting; it identifies our system. Formally, the entire Salute should be performed prior to the execution of any of the main forms (like small cross, butterfly, combination, blackbird, and palm). Essentially, Ng Ga Kuen only has 5 family forms. All other forms, like the 5-animals, have their own salute incorporated into its own form.
Small Cross – actually, “cross” refers to the Chinese number ten 十, which looks like a cross, because the movement of the form is transitions into all 4 directions with short sequences, hence the name “Small Cross“.
Butterfly – has its name because of those “windmills” action in the form, and appears to mimic a butterfly flapping its wings and flying.
Combination, the form has moves from 5 families, and with tiger and dragon moves, that’s why it’s named Combination.
Blackbird, the bird is a fledgling “swallow bird”, it has black feathers, the moves mimics it learning to fly and falling, like us going down on the knee stance then getting up, finally it learned how to fly, like the more complicated moves at end of the form.
Palm, the full name of the form is Goddess (觀音-kun yum) palm, She is a merciful and powerful god, she oversees and listens to mortal’s prayers, also does eradication to evil ones. She usually does that with flicking a small bamboo leaf branch from her vase, our form depicts that move, like those backhands when kicking, of course other moves were added.
Shaolin Kung Fu - 少林五家拳 