Many times the histories of martial arts are shrouded in mythology and secrecy. Often their founding is attributed to masters who taught their secret techniques to only a select worthy few throughout the generations until now (and for the right price) or to famous mythological figures. This over-mystification of the martial arts is usually due to ignorance or an over compensation for a lack of substance of what is being taught. Numerous schools attribute the founding of Tai Chi to Chang San-feng (Zhang San-feng) although there is little historical evidence to back up this claim. Chang San-feng was a legendary Chinese folk hero who is often credited with the development of the internal school (nei jia) of martial arts, particularly Tai Chi. He is purported to have learned Tai Chi in a dream or developed the idea while watching a snake and crane fight.

     In all likelihood the founder of Tai Chi is unknown. The name Chang San-feng is not mentioned in the Chen, Wu, Li, or Hao family Tai Chi manuscripts and did not appear in relation to Tai Chi until the late 19th century. Most scholars agree that Tai Chi was either brought to or had its origins in the Chen village and was later transmitted to Yang Lu-chan (founder of Yang style). To try and trace it back further than this is very difficult, if not impossible, as many of the earliest documents are often contradictory 

                                                                        Chang San-feng,  legendary founder of Tai Chi