The meaning of Tai Chi Chuan
Tai Chi Chuan translates into English to mean Supreme Ultimate Boxing. This grandiose name must be understood in relation to Tai Chi’s philosophical context - that of Chinese Taoism.
In Taoism all worldly elements are divided into two opposites known as Yin and Yang. This is embodied in the famous circular Yin Yang symbol where black and white halves overlap and contain each other. In daily life, Yin and Yang represent opposites such as dark and light, male and female, soft and hard. Harmony in all things is achieved when Yin and Yang are in balance and Tai Chi strives for this in each practitioner. As Tai Chi training focuses on both hard training (strengthening the body, improving posture, skill etc.) and soft training (mental focus, moving meditation, breathing exercises and internal energy) it is called 'Supreme Ultimate' as it encompasses both sides of two great extremes. Chuan means 'Boxing' and refers to its martial applications and so we have Supreme Ultimate Boxing.
Through the application of Yin and Yang, Tai Chi can enable its practitioners to overcome stronger opponents. For example, a hard attack is met with a soft response, to embrace, overcome and redirect it without harm to the Tai Chi practitioner. However, should a hard attack be met with the same force, then it is likely that both opponents will be injured.
Tai Chi is both practised and performed by doing lengthy solo forms. These forms (known as kata in Japanese martial arts) are made up of individual postures, attacks and defences that gracefully flow into each other. Most of the time, forms are done slowly to promote the flux of chi energy around the body. However, forms can also be practised quickly as a martial exercise for use in combat situations. Many of the flowing movements in Tai Chi disguise clever escapes and surprising counter-attacks that can leave an attacker floored.