As with most styles of Chinese martial arts the origins of xing yi quan (aka hsing-i chuan, xing-i, or hsing yi) are shrouded in mystery. This ancient martial art has been said to elongate the life expectancy and purify the morality of its practitioners, as well as greatly improving their self-defense capabilities.

Most attribute at least some important role in xing yi's evolution to General Yue Fei , a legendary hero from the Sung Dynasty (circa 1103-1142 ). There are those who suggest that Yue Fei invented xingyi and taught it to his troops. Others say Yue Fei learned xing yi from a wandering daoist monk. Legend has it that Yue Fei's troops were very effective using his martial techniques, winning many battles before Yue Fei was betrayed by a traitor. Some say Yu Fei's martial arts came from the Shaolin tradition and thus credit Da Mo as the original xing yi ancestor.

Some people suggest that Yu Fei combined the aspects of the Shaolin and Baji Chuan styles to create xingyi. Which raises a question as to whether it is properly considered a daoist internal art or is of Buddhist Shaolin descent. Many xingyi practitioners believe that xingyi originated at Wudong Mountain along with taiji.

While there is no way of knowing precisely its origins, most who have studied the history of xing yi attribute a significant role in its development to Chi Lung Feng (aka Chi Chi Kao, Ji-Jih Kee or Long-Feng). One story says that he was given Yu Fei's book about xing yi by a wandering daoist monk at the base of Chand Nan Mountain in Shensi Province. While others attribute the creation of xingyi to him. Whatever his role, Chi Lung Feng's disciples made xingyi quite popular in Shansi, Henan and Hubei provinces, and xingyi's three major styles are named for these provinces.

Just as there are different versions of xingyi origins, there are many versions of the English translation of xingyi. Some say it is best described as mind-body boxing. Others suggest form and will boxing. Shape of mind fist or shape of intention has also been suggested.