- "Hey, why don't you tell me again about how you punched the dragon and got your magic hand?"
"During the final trial of Shou-Lao the Undying, I plunged my fist into his molten heart." - ―Luke Cage and Iron Fist[src]
The Trial of Shou-Lao was a ceremonial challenge organized by Order of the Crane Mother in order to elect an "Iron Fist."
Background[]
- "When I got to the monastery, post-crash. I learned of a certain position. A powerful, important job, and I wanted it."
"Your dad always said to set your goals high." - ―Danny Rand and Joy Meachum[src]
In order to protect K'un-Lun and destroy the Hand, the elders of K'un-Lun trained their warriors to choose the best of them. This one is sent to the Cave of the Dragon to face Shou-Lao the Undying, legendary dragon. If the warrior survives, it became "Iron Fist" and gains the power of Chi.
During Danny Rand's time as a student in K'un-Lun, he learned of the position of the Iron Fist, a title of great power and importance throughout the realm. Rand grew ambitious and set out to make himself worthy of gaining the power of the Iron Fist, competing with several other students to reach his goal. Despite many believing that his being an outsider made him incapable of earning the title, Rand's determination grew further.[2][3]
Trial[]
Shou-Lao in the darkness
- "Come out of the darkness so I can see you."
- ―Danny Rand to Shou-Lao[src]
Many years later, Danny Rand was indeed given the opportunity to gain the power of the Iron Fist. He was sent to battle the enormous fire-breathing serpent called Shou-Lao the Undying which lived in a cave outside K'un-Lun. It ferociously guarded a brazier containing its heart, which had mystically been removed from its body. In their battle, Rand grabbed the serpent's body, which bore a scar that imprinted itself upon Rand's chest. Rand plunged his hands into the now unguarded brazier containing Shou-Lao's molten heart when his hands shone with a quasi-mystical force and he earned the title "Iron Fist," for he could now summon superhuman energy to reinforce the power of blows struck by his hands.[4][5][6]
Aftermath[]
Danny Rand is awoken from his trial
- "You did it, Danny. The trial of Shou-Lao. You survived. You're the Iron Fist."
- ―Davos to Danny Rand[src]
Danny Rand gained his powers and the Mark of Shou-Lao onto his chest, and was left unconscious outside the cave. He was eventually found by Davos who woke him up. When his friend rushed at him, Rand woke up and summoned his Iron Fist. Astonished, Davos told Rand that he succeeded in his trial.[5]
Rand left K'un-Lun to travel back to New York City and reunite with Harold and Joy Meachum and his company.[2] Rand would later learned that the Hand was located in New York and decides to use his power to fight against them.[7]
References[]
- ↑ In the comics, Danny Rand fights Shou-Lao roughly a year before he returns to New York. With the date of him travelling being February 2016, a year prior would be roughly March 2015.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Iron Fist: 1.01: Snow Gives Way
- ↑ Iron Fist: 1.06: Immortal Emerges from Cave
- ↑ Iron Fist: 1.09: The Mistress of All Agonies
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Iron Fist: 1.11: Lead Horse Back to Stable
- ↑ The Defenders: 1.06: Ashes, Ashes
- ↑ Iron Fist: 1.04: Eight Diagram Dragon Palm