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The semi-mythical ‘founder’ (this is still hotly contested by many) of what is known in the West as tai chi chuan, or the ‘supreme ultimate fist’.

Establishing any concrete facts about Mr Chang San-Feng is nigh-on impossible. For example, the date

of his birth is variously estimated to have been between 600 AD and the sixteenth century. Rumours also abound that he achieved immortality (though where he is now is anyone’s guess), was over seven foot tall, could cover more than 300 miles in a single day (on foot), and that for whatever reason he wore on his head a large cymbal instead of a hat, which only the ‘privileged’ (whoever they might have been) were permitted to sound.

However, Chang San-Feng may have been a Shaolin monk, active sometime towards the end of the twelfth century, who for over a decade engaged in strenuous kung-fu training. But whilst out walking one day, he was captivated by a fight between a snake and a bird.

The bird was larger and seemed more powerful—there was little doubt that it would be able to kill and devour the snake—and yet, by suddenly feigning weakness, the snake caused the bird to become overconfident. Carelessly it soared down upon its seemingly stricken prey, only to be grabbed in the snake’s jaws and killed.

Chang San-Feng was dumbfounded. Here, provided by nature itself, was the answer to all the questions and doubts he’d privately had concerning his martial arts’ training.

Shrewdly, he copied the snake’s example of cunning and speed over superior strength, combining this with his own ideas concerning ‘chi’ or a person’s own inner power (for example, what sometimes—incredibly— allows a mother to lift a burning car to free her trapped child) and adding a more ‘spiritual’ dimension to the martial arts than had existed previously.