As we welcome the new year, our team at Zhang Sah recognizes the Lunar New Year ushers in a new period per the Chinese Zodiac. This year will be the year of the snake.
“The Snake represents wisdom, knowledge, intelligence, intuition and creativity. Snakes are also associated with good luck, prosperity, fertility and longevity. In some legends, snakes are considered divine messengers and guardians of sacred places. Snakes are also revered for their ability to shed their skin and renew themselves, symbolizing transformation and rebirth.” – Year of the Wood Snake 2025 Predictions
The snake is also one of the animal styles emulated in Taichi Chuan. In this practice, techniques emulate the snake and the crane. We practice Tai chi Chuan in our Spirit Wind Class at Zhang Sah with Sifu Chik Mason. He teaches the legend of Tai chi Chuan as the following:
The Legend of Tai Chi Chuan
Chang San Feng was in house meditating when he heard a ruckus in
the courtyard. Looking down from his window, Chang saw a snake
with head raised, hissing in challenge to a crane in the tree. The
crane swooped down from the tree, its sword-like beak aimed
straight for the snake. The snake turned its head aside and struck
the crane’s neck with its tail. As the crane raised its right wing to
protect its neck, the snake darted towards the crane’s legs. The
crane raised its leg and lowered its left wing to ward off the attack.
Stabbing again and again, the bird was unable to connect a solid
blow. The twisting and bending snake was always out of reach.
Darting from all angles, neither could the snake make a strike, for
the graceful crane yielded and redirected every blow. After awhile
they both tired of fighting, and the crane flew back to its tree and
the snake slithered into its hole in the tree trunk. They rested in
preparation for the next day’s encounter.
Chang San Feng watched this drama unfold day after day. He
observed and realized the value of yielding in the face of strength.
The great master studied the crane and the snake, other wild
animals, the clouds and the water, and the bamboo bending in the
wind. He merged these naturalistic movements into a system of
exercise, combining them with Shaolin martial movements and the
practice of Taoist meditation.
In honor of the new lunar new year, my team and I will share during classes this history with the students and teach them a few movements associated with the snake.
