By the time of the Ming Dynasty, the concept of an integrated style of Kung Fu was born within the 5 Animal Style. Not just a style for emulating animals as in the theatrical depictions of Animal style but a true system and personality based style that allowed both specialization and adaptation to the need, ability and aptitude of the practitioner. Although everyone learned every aspect of the 5 Animals, when they were deemed to be sufficiently proficient and broad based, the specialization or customization of the style to the practitioner began.

Tiger was well suited to Strong, Big and Powerful practitioners who sought and were able to bring a quick end to conflict. Their key was simplicity, directness and an explosion of enormous power coupled with a very low threshold of pain. Leopards/Panthers were like small tigers; generally aggressive and dominant but not using physical force and power but mental cunning and strategies. These were the intelligent and manipulating martial art stylists. Crane Style was for small, non-aggressive persons who did not wish to fight or attack. This was not a style of winning but a style which created the environment for an attacker to loose. These practitioners needed to be agile, flexible, agile and exact. Snakes were the people who turned their attackers into knots, using pressure points to disable and control their attackers. Snakes were technicians of human physiology and creating pain without damage. Dragons were those who mastered all and were able to avoid fighting without loosing. it was the Ultimate in Shaolin principles almost not achievable; thus the symbol of the Dragon was chosen.