The art of Tai Chi Chuan is based on the
philosophy presented in the Tai Chi Symbol. In order for one to make better and
more fruitful progress in Tai Chi Chuan training, one must spend time to
research the meaning hidden in this simple symbol. This symbol is also known as
the "Yin/Yang" symbol. It is a circle divided into two equal portions by a
wave-like line with one portion shaded (Yin) and the second unshaded (Yang). The
shaded portion has the white dot in the center and the unshaded portion has the
black dot in the center.
There are many ways to draw this ancient symbol, based on the location of the
shaded and unshaded portions, and the spiral clockwise and counter clockwise
motion directions. The Tai Chi Symbol can also be divided into a pre-heaven and
post-heaven symbol. The pre-heaven Tai Chi Symbol is used to predict the future.
The post-heaven Tai Chi Symbol is considered a reflection of nature. Following
are a few of the ways the Tai Chi symbol may be represented:
It does not matter which variation we draw, but when it is based on the
Post Pa Kua Diagram, which people often used to interpret everything happened in
life, it is most proper when the shaded portion (Yin) at the bottom and the
white portion (Yang) at the top to correlate with the Pa Kua trigram.
- Counter Clockwise Direction
- The shaded portion is on the top with the head on top and tail on the
bottom and pointing to the left. The unshaded portion is on the bottom with
the head on the bottom and the tail on the top pointing to the right.
- The shaded portion is on the bottom with the head on the bottom and
the tail on the top iand pointing to the left. The unshaded portion is on
the top with the head on the top and the tail on the bottom pointing to the
- The shaded portion on the left with the head on the left and the tail on
the right, pointing down. The unshaded portion is on the right with
the head on the right and the tail on the left, pointing up.
- Clockwise Direction
- The shaded portion is on the right with the head on the right and the tail
on the left, pointing down. The unshaded portion is on the left with the
head on the left and the tail on the right, pointing up.
- The shaded portion is on the top with the head on the top and the tail
pointing to the right. The unshaded portion is on the bottom with the head
on the bottom and the tail is pointing to the left.
- The shaded portion is on the top with the head on the bottom and the tail on
the top and pointing to the left. The unshaded portion is on the bottom
with the head on the top and the tail on the bottom and pointing to the
To study the Tai Chi Symbol, one must begin by clarifying the four most
important components of the symbol: 1)the outer circle, 2)the yin/yang fishes,
3) the fishes eyes and 4)the waveline which divides the circle into two fishes.
1. The outer Circle
When one looks at the Tai Chi Symbol, the first
thing that comes to the eyes is the outer circle. The ancient Chinese often used
the circle to represent heaven for its characteristic of continual
transformation and the square was used to represent earth and its characteristic
stability. Therefore, the circle in the Tai chi Symbol represents heaven and the
From a philosophical perspective, people often use the tangible such as the
drawing of a circle which everyone can witness, to represent the intangible and
imaginary such as circulation, transformation and progression in life. Here are
a few ways that we can look at the circle:
- The circle represents everything that exist in a circular shape. In
life, we see the cycle of birth, maturity and death. Earth is constantly
orbiting the sun and all stars in the solar system as well. Nobody can stop
- The circle represents everything that exists primarily in a round body
shape. All life forms on earth mainly exist in round bodies as do all the
planets in our solar system.
- Circles are closely related to spiral movements. This represents activity.
Activity is the basic characteristic of the universe. Since the circle
represents the universe and it is active, therefore, everything that exist
in this universe should be spiral and active. This is the secret meaning of
Tai Chi Chuan practitioners understood the secret meaning behind the
circle. Therefore, all the Tai Chi Chuan's solo form movements are circular,
square and yin/yang are distinguished in every movement so that all the
movements are soft, continuous, even and connected with the others with balance.
The Tai Chi Chuan Classics said "All the movements flow like ocean waves' one
2. The Yin and Yang Fishes
In the pre-heaven Tai Chi Symbol the
circle is divided into two equal portions that look like two fishes. The shaded
portion is called Yin Fish. It represents inactivity. The unshaded portion is
called Yang Fish. It represents activity. The fishes are the same size and the
heads are connected to the tail of the other fish. This drawing represents an
active yet stable body.
- Yin/Yang Oppositon
In this interpretation, everything exists in two components and they
are opposite from each other as with Yin and Yang. They do not exist equally
with each other in one unit. Rather, they are constantly struggling to
overtake each other in the same unit. It is this constant struggle that puts
everything in motion.
- Yin/Yang Complementing Each Other
In this interpretation, the two components coexist together in one
unit and they depend on each other to survive. Neither Yin nor Yang can
survive by itself. e.g. left and right. If there is no right, then cannot be
a left. Therefore, the Yang component relies on the Yin component to survive
and the Yin component relies on the Yang component to survive. Each
component needs its opposite to exist. If this Yin and Yang harmony
disrupted, the Yang component by itself will not survive and the Yin
component by itself will not be able to survive either.
- Yin/Yang Balance
In this interpretation, Yin and Yang are not equally divided. Each is
constantly struggling to overtake the other. Sometime there is more Yang
than Yin and other times, there is more Yin than Yang. In this constant
state of struggle, they are able to live together. An example can be shown
with the four seasons. In the Summer, there is more Yang than Yin, while in
the Winter, there is more Yin than Yang. At the end of the year, the Yin
component and the Yang component remain equal to each other. Although the
Yin and Yang are complementary to each other, one should not neglect the
importance and significent of balance. Everything must exist in a balanced
state in order to grow and prosper.
- Yin/Yang Interaction
In this interpretation, Yin and Yang are constantly in opposition and
struggling to overtake each other and grow . Therefore, at certain times,
Yin becomes Yang and Yang becomes Yin in a constant interchangeable state
as they evolve and reproduce. This interaction begins when Yin and Yang
reach their maturity.
The Tai Chi Chuan Classics say that Tai Chi came from Wu Chi. When Wu
Chi takes an active form, it divides into two parts. When it is in an inactive
form, it comes together into one. From the symbol's division into its Yin and
Yang components, grew Tai Chi Chuan's physical movements, following the
philosophy connected to the symbol and its active form. Therefore, one should
expect to see that Yin and Yang components exist everywhere in the Tai Chi
Chuan's solo form. In Tai Chi Chuan practice, one can interpret the Yin and Yang
components as hard and soft interactions, fast and slow movements, extension and
contraction of the muscles, coordination of top and bottom, the harmony of
inside and outside, opening and closing motions, empty and full stances,
advancing and retreating steps, left and right movements of the eyes, and active
and inactive states of the mind.
3. Yang Fish is Heaven; Yin Fish is Earth
In the Tai Chi Symbol,
the Yin and Yang components are commonly referred to as Yin and Yang fishes. The
symbol is commonly drawn vertically with the Yang Fish at top representing
heaven and the Yin Fish at the bottom representing earth. In Yin/Yang Theory,
the universe is composed of Yin and Yang substances. When substances are bright,
above, active, hard,etc. they are considered as Yang substances. When substances
are dark, below, inactive, soft, etc. they are considered as Yin substances.
Therefore, everything that exists in nature can be classified as either Yang or
Yin. It is said that Yin and Yang are the principle of heaven and earth, the
foundation of all things, the originator of life and death. If one does not
understand basic Yin and Yang Theory, any action or inaction is already a
In Tai Chi Chuan practice, the instructor often repeats himself over and over
to stress the importance of this Yin and Yang Theory. At the sametime, he
emphasizes the importance of having a soft and relaxed body; with firm and solid
feet. The soft and relaxed body is the reflection of the characteristic of
heaven's openness and emptiness to act as a canvas for many things to happen and
take place such as turning and twisting the body, fast, slow, hard or soft
movements, etc. The firm and solid feet are a reflection of the characteristics
of the earth's solidity and thickness to support and capable to execute mobility
with ease and all the kicking movements.
When one is able to understand Yin and Yang Theory and incorporate it in Tai
Chi Chuan practices, one is able to move quickly with balance. Otherwise, one's
movements are clumsy as often demonstrated by beginning students.
4. The Fish Eyes
In the Tai Chi Chuan Symbol, there is a black dot
inside the Yang fish, and there is a white dot inside the Yin fish. Although in
our discussion of the Yin and Yang Fishes we explained that Yin and Yang can be
complementary, in oppositon, balanced and interaction, and exist in everything,
the nucleus of this transformation is located in the "fish eyes". There are
several meanings behind these fish eyes.
- The fish eyes explain that everything in existence is composed of many
levels. The fish eyes represent that everything is made up of many levels.
- The fish eyes explain that the original source of transformation come
from within the same object.
- The fish eyes explain that everything has a logical progression. Things
generally begin as infant and progress to adulthood and move from
weak to strong. None can stop or disrupt this progression.
- The fish eyes explain that the body of everything has its own source
of power. Therefore, everything has elements of oppositon and complementry
components within itself.
- The fish eyes represent the imbalance or balance condition within a larger
body. e.g. When a body is healthy, all the organs' function normally with
order, coordination and stability. The Yin/Yang fishes explain the body's
healthy conditon. The fish eyes explain the balance and imbalance among
the individual internal organs and systems.
- The fish eyes explain the relationship of people with the environment. It
explains how one should be in harmony with and utilize the environment.
In martial arts technique, if there is all Yang without any Yin, the
technqiue is rigid and without variations. It is not a good technique. If the
technique is all Yin without any Yang, the technique is too soft and does not
have any fighting power. One that is totally yin will end up on the defense the
whole time. If the Yang technique has Yin, the technique has visible power. If
the Yin technique has Yang, the technique has hidden power. It is a good
technique when one combines the two together into a powerful strike.
Today, many people that practice Tai Chi Chuan over-emphasize softness and
relaxation. They demonstrate overly soft movements that look like soft
spaghetti. Obviously, this interpretation of Tai Chi is not correct. It does not
have any yang characteristics in a movement. A martial arts technique must have
both Yin and Yang characteristics in order to be powerful enough to cause
5. The Spiral Motion
Earth takes one year to complete an orbit of
the sun. People observe the sun orbiting from the West to the East on earth.
Simultaneously, the moon takes one month to complete its orbit of the earth from
West to East as well. Because people often observed the sky while facing South,
people concluded that the universe was turning to the left or it turned from the
right to the left.
In the Tai Chi Symbol, the Yang fish is in the upper left corner. The Yin
fish is in the right lower corner. This makes the spiral motion inside the
symbol move towards the left. This explains that the universe is turning to the
left. We can see this representation in Tai Chi Chuan practice in three
- It always asks the practitioner to orient oneself to face south at the
- The solo form always begins on the right side, moves to the left side and
ends on the right side.
- To do it correctly, a practitioner must rotate the waist in every movement.
6. The Incomplete in Heaven and Earth
One can divided the
symbol into four portions correlate to four seasons and another division into
eight portions to correlate with eight directions.
In the Tai Chi Symbol, the Yang fish's tail ends in the lower right corner.
It is the Northwest direction. The Yin fish's tail ends in the upper left
corner. It is the Southeast direction. This means two things. On earth, it is
not complete in the Southeast. In heaven, it is not complete in the Northwest.
When something is balanced, it has the same proportion of Yin and Yang
substances. When one takes a closer look at the map of China, Northwestern China
in the provinces of Xinjiang and Qinghai has many high mountains and dry
deserts, there is not enough water for people to live there, and the temperature
is very cold in the Winter. In Southeastern China in the provinces of Guangxi
and Guangdon there is a lot of rain, not many high mountains, a lot of dry land
and the temperature is very hot in the Summer. This demonstrated that ancient
Chinese had a precised and sharp observation when they proposed this symbol.
7. Outside Inactive; Inside Active
- The outter circle of the Tai Chi symbol is a complete circle and represents
quiet inactivity. The Yin and Yang fishes inside the circle are active by
constantly struggling to overtake each other. Therefore, the Tai Chi Symbol
is quiet on the outside and active on the inside.
- Another meaning behind this symbol is that it is composed of three items.
The complete circle outside, the active Yin/Yang fishes and the waveline
dividing them. Therefore, the symbol means that the universe is composed
of three things: Heaven, Earth and People.
The Tai Chi Chuan Classics already pointed this out clearly when it said that
one should apply the intent, not physical power in practice. This clearly
demonstrated that it is not what one can see that is important. What is
important and essential is the substances inside and hidden. Although one can
not see any activity from the intangible intent, it fuel all the tangible body's
movements. We often hear from experienced practitioners that Tai Chi Chuan
training involved three levels: the physical, the mental and the qi. The
physical is equivalent to earth, it is solid and thick to support all functions.
The mind is similiar to heaven, it is not restricted by space and time. The qi
is the most important ingredient among people. It determines life and death.
In the Pa Kua diagram, there are pre-heaven and post
heaven diagrams. They are differences in the arrangment of the trigrams. In the
pre-heaven diagram, the trigram portrays both opposition and balance, such as
heaven vs. earth, thunder vs. wind, mountain vs. swamp, fire vs water. It
emphasizes what is exists in nature and the objective is to reveal what is in
nature. In the post-heaven diagram, the trigram is arranged as complementry. It
emphasizes application and variations, the objective is to reveal to the public
the ability of all things to change. People generally use the post heaven
diagram to determine things in daily life. The Yin/Yang in Tai Chi Symbol is
based on this post heaven Pa Kua Diagram as well. One orients oneself to observe
nature from the center of this diagram outward. Therefore, everything begins
with oneself as the center or point of origin.
In Tai Chi Chuan practice, the concept of equilibrium is very important. It
symbolizes the center of the universe and the origin of all of Tai Chi Chuan's
movements. When the body is centered, it is supported from all direction, has
mobility and balance.
9. Scientific Observation
The Tai Chi Symbol is a circle divided by
the waveline into two equal proportions. When one views any phyiscal object
under the microscope, it is composed of particles and waves. Therefore, this
simple ancient symbol appropriately supports quantum theory which revealed the
many levels of particles and waves in all physical objects in their microscopic
The Tai Chi Symbol is one piece of Chinese culture heritage. It was the
result of ancient Chinese philosophrs' precise observations. Although this is a
simple symbol, it summarizes all natural phenomenon, transformations and
coordination from Yin and Yang Theory. It reveals secret informations such as
relationships, transformation and growth exit in nature. These hidden
information are brilliant. It has constructive creativity, precise observations,
clear insights and inspiration. Tai Chi Chuan is an art of physical movement
created by ancient taoist practitioners to interpret this philosophy. Therefore,
many questions related to Tai Chi Chuan practice can be answered by studying
this Tai Chi Symbol.