Taiji 13 Postures (太極十三勢)
Introduction
The Taiji 13 Postures (Tài Jí Shí Sān Shì, 太極十三勢) form the foundational structure of Taijiquan. These movements are a synthesis of five stepping positions and eight techniques, reflecting Daoist principles of balance, energy flow, and martial strategy. Each posture is deeply connected to classical Chinese philosophy, integrating the concepts of the Five Elements (五行) and the Eight Trigrams (八卦) to create a dynamic yet harmonious practice.
The 13 postures embody the essence of Taiji, balancing softness and hardness, internal and external forces, and movement and stillness. This practice is not only fundamental for martial applications but also serves as a profound method for cultivating internal energy (neigong, 內功).
The Structure of Taiji 13 Postures
The 13 postures are categorized into:
- The Five Stepping Positions (五步) – Representing movement and directional control.
- The Eight Techniques (八法) – Fundamental energies used in Taiji combat and internal cultivation.
The Five Stepping Positions (五步)
The five stepping positions represent directional movement and footwork, each associated with one of the Five Elements (五行):
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning | Direction | Element |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 前進 | Qián Jìn | Forward | North | Water (水) |
| 後退 | Hòu Tuì | Backward | South | Fire (火) |
| 左顧 | Zuǒ Gù | Left | West | Metal (金) |
| 右盼 | Yòu Pàn | Right | East | Wood (木) |
| 中定 | Zhōng Dìng | Fix in Center | Middle | Earth (土) |
These stepping methods provide the foundation of movement within Taijiquan, ensuring balance, adaptability, and the ability to redirect force.
The Eight Techniques (八法)
The eight techniques, also called the “Eight Gates” (八門), correspond to the Eight Trigrams (八卦) and represent different expressions of energy and martial intent in Taijiquan.
| Trigram (八卦) | Image (圖像) | Element (相應) | Technique (勁法) | Meaning | Direction (方位) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 坎 (Kǎn) | ☵ | Water (水) | 掤 (Péng) | Ward Off | North |
| 離 (Lí) | ☲ | Fire (火) | 捋 (Lǚ) | Roll Back | South |
| 震 (Zhèn) | ☳ | Thunder (雷) | 擠 (Jǐ) | Press | East |
| 兌 (Duì) | ☱ | Marsh (澤) | 按 (Àn) | Push | West |
| 乾 (Qián) | ☰ | Heaven (天) | 采 (Cǎi) | Grab/Pluck | Northwest |
| 坤 (Kūn) | ☷ | Earth (地) | 挒 (Liè) | Split | Southwest |
| 艮 (Gèn) | ☶ | Mountain (山) | 肘 (Zhǒu) | Elbow Strike | Northeast |
| 巽 (Xùn) | ☴ | Wind (風) | 靠 (Kào) | Shoulder/Bump | Southeast |
These techniques define the core energies of Taiji practice, allowing practitioners to control, neutralize, and issue force effectively.
The Thirteen Postures in Motion
Each of the 13 postures integrates the above principles, creating a dynamic interplay between footwork and technique. Below is a traditional sequence:
- 起式 (Qǐ Shì) – Starting Movement
- 抱球式 (Bào Qiú Shì) – Holding the Ball
- 單推式 (Dān Tuī Shì) – Single Push
- 探式 (Tàn Shì) – Reaching (Probing)
- 托式 (Tuō Shì) – Lifting
- 撲式 (Pū Shì) – Pouncing
- 擔式 (Dān Shì) – Carrying
- 分式 (Fēn Shì) – Splitting
- 雲式 (Yún Shì) – Clouding
- 化式 (Huà Shì) – Dissolving
- 雙推式 (Shuāng Tuī Shì) – Double Push
- 下式 (Xià Shì) – Sinking
- 收勢 (Shōu Shì) – Finishing Movement
Each movement is cyclical, fluid, and continuous, reflecting the Daoist principles of non-resistance and adaptability.
Taiji 13 Postures in Practice
1. Internal Energy Cultivation
Practitioners focus on breath control, intention (yi, 意), and the cultivation of internal energy (qi, 氣). The postures help refine these elements by promoting relaxation, rootedness, and a heightened sense of body awareness.
2. Martial Applications
Each movement in the Taiji 13 Postures has combat applications, whether for defense, redirection, or counterattacks. By mastering the eight energies and five stepping methods, practitioners develop the ability to neutralize incoming force while maintaining balance.
3. Philosophical Significance
The integration of Daoist cosmology into the movements makes Taiji 13 a spiritual as well as a martial practice. The Five Elements and Eight Trigrams form a universal pattern of change, helping practitioners align with natural rhythms and forces.
The Taiji 13 Postures serve as the foundation of Taijiquan, combining essential stepping methods and energetic techniques. This form is a microcosm of Taiji principles, encapsulating the harmony of yin and yang, the flow of energy, and the adaptability of movement.
For practitioners, the study of these thirteen essential movements is not only a martial discipline but also a lifelong practice in internal cultivation, balance, and the art of effortless power (wu wei, 無為).
“Tài Jí Quán Name Explanation” by Wáng Zōng Yuè [1]:
Taijiquan, also known as Changquan (long fist), is sometimes referred to as the Thirteen Postures. The term long fist evokes the endless flow of the Long River and the vastness of the great sea. The 13 postures are classified as follows:
- Ward Off: Péng (掤)
- Roll Back: Lǚ (捋)
- Press: Jǐ (擠)
- Push: An (按)
- Grab: Cǎi (採)
- Split: Liè (挒)
- Elbow: Zhǒu (肘)
- Bump: Kào (靠)
- Forward: Jìn (進)
- Backward: Tuì (退)
- Left: Gù (顧)
- Right: Pàn (盼)
- Fix: Dìng (定)
These movements correspond to the eight trigrams and five elements:
-
The Four Cardinal Directions (坎, 离, 震, 兌):
- Ward Off (Péng), Roll Back (Lǚ), Press (Jǐ), Push (An)
-
The Four Diagonal Corners (乾, 坤, 艮, 巽):
- Grab (Cǎi), Split (Liè), Elbow (Zhǒu), Bump (Kào)
-
The Five Elements (金, 木, 水, 火, 土):
- Forward (Jìn), Backward (Tuì), Left (Gù), Right (Pàn), Fix (Dìng)
Together, these form the 13 postures.[2]
Wáng Zōng Yuè was a key historical figure in the development of Taijiquan, known particularly for his written treatise that describes Taijiquan as “Changquan” (long fist) and illuminates the systematic grouping of techniques into the Thirteen Postures. He famously connected these movements—eight primary techniques and five stepping methods—to the Daoist concepts of the eight trigrams and five elements, highlighting the art’s flowing, continuous nature comparable to a mighty river continuously moving toward the sea. ↩︎
Original Text: 王宗岳《太極拳釋名》曰: 太極拳 一名長拳 又名十三勢 長拳者 如長江大海 滔滔不絕也 十三勢者 分掤 捋 擠 按 采 挒 肘 靠 進 退 顧 盼 定也 掤 捋 擠 按 即坎 離 震 兌 四正方也 采 挒 肘 靠 即乾 坤 艮 巽 四斜角也 此八卦也 進步 退步 左顧 右盼 中定 即金 木 水 火 土也 此五行也 合而言之 曰十三勢 ↩︎