The Ming dynasty history describes Chang San-feng as an unconventional figure who always dressed in patched clothes and a coat made of palm leaves, no matter what the weather; who could go for days or even months at a time without eating; who laughed and cursed as though no one were there; and who hung out with his disciples on Wutang Mountain in Hupei province.
明史「方伎傳」上有張三丰事蹟的記載：張三丰，遼東人，不修邊幅，又號張邋遢。他行事、舉止異於常人，無論寒暑，都穿著一件百衲衣和一件蓑衣；有時好幾天才吃一頓飯，有時幾個月不吃；嘻笑怒罵，旁若無人；整天帶著一群徒弟，在湖北武當山裡修道。