Histoire
Tai chi (taijiquan) comes from Chen Village in Henan province, where tradition credits Chen Wangting with creating it in the 17th century. In the 19th century Yang Luchan learned it there and taught it in Beijing, where it became famous.
Five main family styles grew from it: Chen, Yang, Wu (Hao), Wu and Sun. In 1956 a short 24-movement form was created in Beijing so millions could learn it, and in 2020 UNESCO listed taijiquan as intangible cultural heritage.
Le saviez-vous ?
- Tai chi is a martial art, but most people practise it slowly for health, balance and calm.
- Push hands (tuishou) is the partner exercise that trains the fighting side.
- World Tai Chi and Qigong Day is celebrated on the last Saturday of April.
- The name refers to "taiji", the supreme ultimate of Chinese philosophy, shown in the yin-yang symbol.
Glossaire des techniques
- Peng
- ward off
- Lü
- roll back
- Ji
- press
- An
- push
- Single Whip
- classic posture
- Cloud Hands
- circling hands while stepping sideways
- Grasp the Bird's Tail
- sequence of the four energies
- Tuishou
- push hands with a partner
Formes
24-step simplified formYang 108-step long formChen Laojia Yilu42-step competition form
Armes et équipement
- Jian
- tai chi straight sword
- Dao
- sabre
- Shan
- fan
⚔ In the Arsenal
Jian
☯ Philosophy and quotes
“Nothing in the world is softer than water, yet nothing is better at overcoming the hard.”— Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, ch. 78 (c. 4th century BC)
“Who conquers others is strong; who conquers himself is mighty.”— Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, ch. 33 (c. 4th century BC)
Ki / QiWu deYin e yangDantian / tandenSee all →
Figures clés
- Chen Wangting (17th century) — traditionally credited with creating tai chi
- Yang Luchan (1799–1872) — founder of the Yang style
- Sun Lutang (1860–1933) — founder of the Sun style
- Yang Chengfu (1883–1936) — standardised the Yang long form
- Cheng Man-ching (1902–1975) — took tai chi to the United States
Sources: UNESCO — Taijiquan · International Wushu Federation