Within the Yang Style Tradition of Tai Chi Chuan it is said, that during the 1300s there lived in the Wu-Tang-Mountain in China a Monk by the name of Chang-San-Feng. He it is said, through deep meditation and observation of the natural world arround him, perceived and formulated the principles of movement, we know today as Tai Chi Chuan. Legend has it, that the monk on seeing a fight between a snake and a crane was inspired by the distinctive qualities of both animals:

The qualities of the snake where those related to speed, awareness and flexibility. The qualities he observed in the crane where those of a unique sense of balance, gracefullness of movement and its strength through softness.