The Shaolin Monks patterned many movements after animals and birds found in nature. Nowhere is this demonstrated, more clearly than in this complex form. The martial artist can visualize the graceful, and deadly bird after which this form is named. Proficiency with the Statue of the Crane is required.
- Assume front position and bow. Right foot steps out into horse stance, bring hands together vertically, double downward blocks, pull fists to elbow position, press arms forward and back with palm side of fists up. N
- Left foot meets right in front position arms circle outward over head and cross left over right in front. N
- Left foot steps back landing in left half moon stance facing SW with left outside block and right front two-knuckle punch high. SW
- Right foot pulls into left in front position facing N arms circle outward over head and cross right over left in front. N
- Right foot steps back landing in right half moon stance facing SE with right outside block and left front two-knuckle punch high. SE
- Right foot meets left in front position facing NE, double outward crane’s wing blocks, hand crane’s beak in back. NE
- Jump forward onto left leg, jump backward onto right leg. NE
- Jump backward onto left landing in crane stance with left upward block and right downward block. NE
- Right foot steps out landing in right half moon stance with right upward block and left spear poke strike high. NE
- Left foot half moons forward with left front two-knuckle punch high, right front two-knuckle punch high, left front two-knuckle punch high. NE
- Jump from right leg turning left landing in left crane stance facing W with left upward block and right downward block. W
- Right foot steps out landing in right half moon stance with right upward block and left spear poke high. W
- Left foot half moons forward with left front two-knuckle punch high, right front two-knuckle punch high, left front two-knuckle punch high. W
- Left hand grabs opponent high, right crescent kick high landing in left leaning stance facing S with right thrust punch low. S
- Left foot pulls back, jump from right leg landing in left crane stance with right upward block and left downward block. S
- Right foot steps forward landing right half moon stance with right upward block and left spear poke high. S
- Left foot half moon forward with left front two-knuckle punch high, right front two-knuckle punch high, left front two-knuckle punch high. S
- Left foot pulls back meeting right in front position with hands in cup and saucer on left side. S
- Right foot steps forward landing in right half moon stance with left u-punch. S
- Right foot pulls back meeting left in front position with hands in cup and saucer on right side. S
- Left foot steps forward landing in left half moon stance with right u-punch. S
- Left foot pulls back meeting right in front position with hands in ready position. S Right foot half moon forward with left u-punch. S
- Both hands grab opponent, look and turn left with left foot pulls into left cat stance facing E, left hand pulls down and right hand pushes down as left leg steps back landing in left half moon stance facing N with kiai. N
- Left foot half moon backward with right upwards block and left spear poke high. N
- Left foot half moon forward with left upward block and right spear poke high. N
- Left foot half moon forward with left upwards block and right spear poke high. N
- Left foot half moon backward landing in horse stance, bring arms together vertically, double downward blocks, pull fists to elbow position, press arms forward and back with palm side of fists up right foot meets left in front position and bow. N