The Spirit of Tiger & Crane

Learn the Deadly Combination of Strategy and AttitudeChinese animal styles are noted for their flamboyant forms and colorful origins but are Black Tiger or White Crane masters expected to growl and flap their arms? Or is there some other reason so many martial arts styles are based on animals?The five elements and their associated heraldic animals represent an ancient knowledge of how heavenly forces could be manipulated to affect earthly destinies. The central ritual of Taoist magic consists in the ability to call up the forces of these
�Spirit-Generals and indicates that the heraldic Animals are indeed the essence of supernatural powers.The Chinese PauKua, Ong Hean-TattPopular opinion holds that combat systems named after either real or mythical animals are patterned on the movements of the patron animal. The tiger style would copy the tiger's raking claws, the crane style would imitate the bird's pecking and poking actions, the snake would embody coiling and striking techniques, and so on. While some techniques do resemble the patron animal, most do not. So why name the style after an animal to begin with? One theory is that each style embodies the animal's behavior characteristics, or personality. Like a Shaman who Dances the Spirit of his guardian animal, each style has a distinct personality that is imitated to add energy to the fighting movements. The Tiger is strong and fearless hence the fighting style emphasizes confidence and strong powerful movements. The Crane is somber and elusive, hence the style uses a detached attitude and quick deceptive movements. In addition, each animal embodies a specific combat strategy, the Tiger is direct, the Crane is evasive. Combining a pre-rehearsed strategy, with a conditioned emotional response, provides the best tool for survival - a plan.In any emergency, it is essential to have a plan. Not having a plan makes panic more likely and panic makes all else useless. The shock of a violent attack has made even seasoned black belts forget their training. By embodying the attitude and strategy of your patron animal, you know what you're going to do, and exactly how you're going to do it.The Spirit of Tiger & Crane

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