The earliest origin of Hongquan can be traced back to the Zhou and Qin Dynasties. During the Western Zhou Dynasty, "martial dance" and "wrestling" prevailed in Gao Feng. During the Qin Dynasty, "Three Assistants" prevailed (now in Guanzhong area of Shaanxi Province), especially in Chang 'an area, and their skills were improved by practicing routine entertainment (see China Wushu History). According to Records of the Historian Biography of Zhang Yi, "Qin people played the piano and the zither, and beat their arms and legs (till tomorrow)", it was said that the warriors "beat their arms and legs" (dancing) to celebrate at the celebration banquet after the victory of the King of Qin. "Boxing with the arm" embodies the boldness and boldness of the Qin people, and not only develops the "power of fighting with the arm" but also the "method of supporting and splitting", which is the essence of Red Boxing. In the Tang Dynasty, Red Boxing was called "Tang Hand" and "Jiao Di", and Li Bai, a famous poet in the Tang Dynasty, called himself "the fifteen good swordsmanship". Both Xue and Tang Dynasty were great names in Shaanxi.

Hongquan is recognized as the mainstream school of Shaanxi local boxing. In Shaanxi, Tongguan and Dasanguan are also divided into three branches: Kanto Red Boxing, Guanzhong Red Boxing and Kansai Red Boxing. It is said that many kinds of boxing in Shaanxi evolved on the basis of "Guanzhong Red Boxing". Guanzhong Red Boxing is centered on Xiaohong Boxing, Dahongquan, Erlu Red Boxing, Taizu Red Boxing, Fenquan, Liuhui, Liuli, Cannon Hammer and Siba Hammer, and it is practiced most widely. Xiaohong Boxing is a genre of Hongquan.