The Shamanic Origins of Tai Chi
continuedThe conditions that induce these (altered) states include such common experiences as isolation, fatigue, hunger, and rhythmic sound and thus are likely to be re-discovered by different generations and cultures. Since these states may be pleasurable, meaningful, and healing, they are likely to be actively sought and methods of inducing them remembered and transmitted across generations.
The Spirit of Shamanism, Roger Walsh
The folktales surrounding the origins of other martial arts styles also follow the same plot. A Tibetan monk by the name of Ordator was wandering alone in the mountains when he encountered a battle between a crane and an ape. Thinking that the spindly and fragile crane would soon succumb to the superior brawn and strength of the ape, he was surprised when the crane defeated the ape. He studied the movements of the crane and learned that evasion, distraction, and attacking the enemy's weak points was the strategy a smaller person could use to overcome a larger opponent. The crane's graceful hopping and turning movements became the basis for the White Crane style, now famous throughout China.
The folklore surrounding Tai Chi's origins also reflect the same pattern. The legendary founder of Tai Chi is said to have been a mountain hermit by the name of Chang San Feng who lived during the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368). He wandered throughout the mountains and learned secret Taoist breathing techniques that made him nearly immortal. (Legend has him living well past 200.) In addition, he learned Shaolin Temple fighting from other wandering monks.
One day, while living on Wu Tang Mountain, Chang heard a hawk screeching and went to see what was happening. What he discovered was a hawk attacking and doing battle with a snake. Although the hawk was stronger, faster, and had superior weapons in the form of a beak and talons, the snake was successful in driving off the hawk's attacks. The snake's soft and circular movements evaded the hawk's attacks. Chang realized that by adopting the gentle and yielding aspects of the snake's defense, the soft could neutralize the hard, the weak defeat the strong, and slow overcome the fast, and thus Tai Chi was born.1
These folktales share a common plot theme with the Vision Quest. Each includes a challenge or test, followed by isolation and hardship, then a revelation in the form of a vision of a wild animal that acts as a catalyst for the transformation of body and mind. Finally each takes on the attributes of the visionary animal.
In the fifth century BC there is described the ritual whereby the "inspector of the region" would dress in a bear's skin and accompanied by twelve other attendants each dressed as a different animal, they would perform the "Bear Dance" which was meant to drive away evil spirits.
Bird Deities in China, Waterbury, F.
According to his book, Shamanism: Archaic Techniques of Ecstasy, Eliade recounts that a Shaman must from time to time perform a ritual known as the Spirit Dance. Well known among native Americans, accounts of this practice also date back 4,000 years in Chinese records. During the Spirit Dance, the Shaman moves in imitation of his animal spirit to call on its powers. It is said that the animal spirit actually takes possession of the Shaman's body and imbues the Shaman with superhuman strength. This principle is also mirrored in the martial arts. Performing the movements of Tai Chi is said to generate a spiritual energy—Chi. Like the Shaman's infusion from his animal spirit, Chi also bestows superhuman strength. Could it be that performing the stylized movements of a Tai Chi form is based on the ancient Shaman's practice of dancing the spirit?
1. Some variations of the account credit a crane as the snake's adversary.
