"Rhinoceros Looks At Moon
In Chinese single-handed Jian techniques, there is one commonly known as "Rhinoceros Looks At Moon". This name actually appeared in Shaolin Gunfa Canzong, written back in 1616, which I've highlighted above in red.
Although the Chinese characters differ, 西牛 (West Cow) and 犀牛 (Rhino), the pronunciation is the same. It stated that this "Rhino Looks At Moon" technique is actually the "Lu Bu Drags Halberd" stance, as highlighted in blue. This stance is meant for walking backwards and away from your enemy, while still pointing your weapon at him, possibly thrusting him in the process of your retreat.
A similar stance was also found in General Qi Jiguang's Fist manual, "Essentials of the Fist", named as "Reverse Ride Dragon". I've put a sword in the stance for you to visualize how it might look like. When you practice this stance, you're familiarizing yourself in the methods of turning around and fighting backwards while walking in the opposite direction, thus stretching the necessary joints and strengthening the necessary muscles in the process.
The basic idea is:
1) You train in General Qi's Fist techniques first to physically prepare yourself.
2) Next, you train in the Shaolin Staff to be proficient with handling a weapon.
3) Finally, upon "graduation", you're now capable of fighting with anything that you can put in your hands, which in this case, could be a Jian.
Jack Chen
Ancient Chinese Martial Arts Manuals
