Zhuge Liang (CE 181-234) was Chancellor of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He is often recognised as the greatest and most accomplished strategist of his era. Often depicted wearing a robe and holding a fan made of crane feathers; Zhuge was not only an important military strategist and statesman; he was also an accomplished scholar and inventor.

His reputation as an intelligent and learned scholar grew even while he was living in relative seclusion; earning him the nickname Wolong (literally Crouching Dragon). Zhuge is an uncommon two-character compound family name. His name - even his surname alone - has become synonymous with intelligence and tactics in Chinese culture. Pictures From History