The Southern Yangtze region is characterized by its rivers and lakes, and has been called "Southern Yangtze water town" since ancient times. The water canals have inspired the area's colorful martial arts culture. The Boat Fist is one of the local-featured schools in the region. The Southern Yangtze Boat Fist is a niche style with a long history, originating with the Wu-Yue culture in the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 B.C.). Back then, the state of Wu defeated the state of Yue and banned the people of Yue from practicing martial arts. The patriots of Yue secretly practiced it on boats. They were armed with paddles and boat-poles. Later, it was passed on orally among fishermen for generations and gradually became popular.