The meaning of the word "Wuxia"
This is a quote that I got from
www.heroic-cinema.com
I do not have knowledge about Chinese language so I think that this explanation would be helpful.

[quote]"A Definition of Wuxia and Xia
He is honest in words, effective in action, faithful in keeping promises, fearless in offering his own life to free the righteous from bondage.
-- Sima Qian

The word wuxia is composed of two characters. The first character, wu is used to describe things having to do with martial arts, war, or the military. The second character, xia refers to the type of protagonist found in wuxia fiction, and is also a synonym for chivalry. Thus, wuxia fiction is translated as martial-chivalric fiction. The simplest way to describe this genre to those who are not familiar with it is to define it as Chinese swords and sorcery. Most gamers become familiar with wuxia, through films such as A Chinese Ghost Story, Swordsman and Zu.

The word xia in its context of describing a type of person, is more difficult to define. A variety of translations have been used for the word. They include hero, swordsman, adventurer, soldier of fortune, warrior, or knight [-errant]. In some respects, the xia is all of these things, yet these definitions neither fully nor accurately describe the xia.

The most frequently used definitions for xia, are knight and knight-errant. Like the knight, skill in combat was the stock and trade of xia. However, xia were soldiers only on rare occasion. They excelled in personal combat, and were more akin to the renaissance duelist than the medieval knight. In addition, unlike the European knight who was exclusively a member of the aristocracy, xia could come from both humble or aristocratic backgrounds. The xia were often wanderers seeking adventure, but greed and self-interest was not always their motivation. As hired swords, xia resolved conflict through use of force, but their actions were tempered by a personal sense of justice and honor. Thus, what set xia apart from other men with fighting skills had to do with their ideology and code of conduct. As a force for good, xia have been extolled by Sima Qian. Later historians elaborated, making the distinction between xia, and other types of outlaw who used force without scruple for personal gain. Others saw little difference between xia and their less principled brethren. Han Feizi listed the xia among the five vermin of society for being subversive vigilante, while Xun Yue took a moral stance against xia for their rejection of Confucian values.

The traditional xia of fiction is a non-conformist who fights for justice. He is honorable to a fault, his word is inviolable, and his reputation is more important than life itself. Moreover, he is a master of the martial arts who does not hesitate to use his skills in the defense of his beliefs. This type of xia is the idealized version of the heroic xia, and is primarily encountered in modern fiction and cinema. A less romanticized description of xia can be drawn from history and more traditional fiction. This xia is also a swordsman, but one who is more dogmatic than altruistic. He is a champion for any cause to which he has pledged his loyalty, be it benevolent or otherwise. This definition takes into account the sometimes dubious nature of actions performed by xia. Along these lines, in Once Upon a Time in China all swordsmen who adhere to the principles of loyalty, reciprocity, and duty are xia. No distinction is made between xia who are altruistic, and those whose motives are of questionable merit."[/quote]

Martial art in Wuxia novels
As I have stated before, Wuxia novels involve in martial art and fantasy. So Martial art in Wuxia novels are fantasy martial art with the root on real component and philosophy.

For example:

The philosophy of Chi exists in real martial art principle. Wuxia martial art add the fantasy element to it that the heroes can used their Chi to destroy the opponent internal organs from distance, destroy the brisk wall, jump very high in the air.

The concept of jumping very high in the air and run through the air (or sometime on the surface of water) is called "The art of lightness" in Wuxia novels.
In Wuxia novels anyone who master The art of lightness can do these type of movement. The better martial artist you are, the master of the technique you get, like you see in Wuxia movies. (for example Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon)

While maintaining the name of the actual martial art forms like Tai Chi, grabbing hand and no shadow kick, wuxia novels add the fantasy to those movement.
Some techniques in wuxia novels are absolutely invented for the novels like Chi sword.
The most fascinating thing about this gengre is these technique are refered to over and over again in every novels as if they were real.
So there you have the fantasy martial art world with some elements of realism. The world that have never really existed but had its own history written for hundreds of years.

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