The Master Level
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The Master Level of the Federation Wing Tsun System again consists of four training Stages, which contain two grades each. These are known as Master Grades and are experience-based grades ascended by an actively teaching & practicing master as the years pass.
Physical Stage
Plum Uniform
This stage comprises Master Grades 5MG & 6MG. Beyond the Metal Stage there are no more formal training programmes as such. At this stage of the journey one fully understands each of the five elements and their relationships, and is capable of applying the Federation System correctly and with a very high degree of practical ability against a wide variety of opponents & diverse situations.
Spiritual Stage
Plum & Gold Uniform
This stage comprises Master Grades 7MG & 8MG. As the years pass, the actively teaching master at the physical stage will gradually become less concerned with the 'nuts & bolts of the art and more involved with the questions & problems surrounding human interaction with the world & each other. The concepts of the art are applied as a matter of course at a level beyond physical conflict.
Philosophical Stage
Gold Uniform
This stage comprises Master Grades 9MG & 10MG. After a lifetime of studying, practicing & teaching the art, a master at the spiritual stage with decades of empirical, rational and logical wisdom will apply themselves to the highest questions of human philosophy. Upon finally retiring from their life's work, such a master may be awarded the Sage Of Fenghuang by those who succeed them.
Sage Of Fenghuang
No Uniform
This stage is Master Grade 11MG. The Fenghuang is the Chinese Firebird or Phoenix. It represents the highest achievement in the Federation System due to its symbolism & the key characteristics it traditionally represents: (1) It is female, like the founder of our art. (2) It symbolises the union of the Yin/Yang duality, and (3) it is associated with loyalty, honesty, duty & mercy. It is said to remain only when the leader of a clan is without darkness or corruption.
There is no 12th Master Level or posthumous titles in the Federation System, signifying that there is more in this world that can be learnt during one persons lifetime.
