Wudang Temple
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Appearances: Return of the Fearsome Fangs!
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According to legend, Zhang Sanfeng is the originator of Wudangquan. He was said to be inspired by a fight he witnessed between a white crane and a cobra. Wudangquan advocates the cultivation of morality and balancing nature with physical training. Wudang is often associated with the jian (sword) as much as Shaolin martial arts are commonly associated with the staff. Wudang are based around internal and soft techniques, avoiding direct contact with the opponent, and relying on speed and borrowing the opponent's power.
The Wudang Mountains (also known as Wu Tang Shan) are a small mountain range in the Hubei province of China. Historically, the mountains of Wudang were known for Taoist monasteries that excelled in academics (research, teaching, and practice of meditation), Chinese martial arts, traditional Chinese medicine, and Taoist agriculture. Wudang attracted the Emperor's attention during the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220AD). During the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the first site of worship, the Five Dragon Temple, was constructed. The palaces and temples in Wudang, which was built as an organized complex during the Ming Dynasty (14th to 17th centuries), contains Taoist buildings from as early as the 7th century. It represents the highest standards of Chinese art and architecture over a period of nearly 1,000 years. The most famous temples include the Golden Hall, Nanyan Temple, and the Purple Cloud Temple. In 1417, Ming Dynasty Emperor Zhudi decreed Wudang to be the "Grand Mountain" and ordered the construction of the Hall of Yuzhen in honor of Wudang's founder. The Hall of Yuzhen is the cradle of Wudang kung fu.
The monasteries were on the verge of destruction during and after the Cultural Revolution of 1966 to 1976, but the Wudang mountains have lately become increasingly popular with tourists from elsewhere in China and abroad due to their scenic location and historical interest. Part of the temple remained as training grounds for worthy students who would later become superheroes and supervillains, such as Batman, Bronze Tiger, and the Terrible Trio. It is also still home to the Wudang Totem, an object of great power.