Cloud Hands
The Gentle Mind-Body Arts of T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Chi Kung

Thirteen Postures of Taijiquan:
Eight Gates and Five Directions
13 T'ai Chi Ch'uan Postures (Movements, Techniques, Energies, Gates, Stances or Powers)
8 Gates and 5 Steps 

Notes     Links     Bibliography     Quotes     Charts     8 Gates     5 Steps

Compiled and Indexed by
Michael P. Garofalo

September, 2005

Cloud Hands - Yun shou

Index to the Thirteen Gates of Taijiquan:
13 T'ai Chi Ch'uan Postures (Gates, Stances, Movements, 
Techniques, Kinetic Movements, Tactics or Powers)

     General Remarks

1.  Ward Off - Peng

2.  Roll Back - Lu

3.  Press - Ji

4.  Push - An

5.  Pull Down - Tsai

6.  Split - Lieh

7.  Elbow - Chou

8.  Shoulder - Kao

9.  Advancing Steps - Jin

10.  Retreating Steps - Tui

11.  Stepping to the Left Side  - Ku

12.  Stepping to the Right Side - Pan

13.  Settling at the Center - Ding

General Remarks

The Thirteeen Postures (8 Gates and 5 Steps) are referred to in various ways by T'ai Chi 
Ch'uan authors.  Some call them the "Thirteen Powers = Shi San Shi."  Others call them 
the Thirteen Postures, the Thirteen Entrances, the Thirteen Movements, or the Thirteen 
Energies.

The most frequent references to the 13 Postures are in the writings and teaching in the  
Yang Style of T'ai Chi Ch'uan.   

The first Eight Gates or Eight Entrances (Ba Gua or Pa Kau) can be divided into the 
Four Primary Hands (Ward Off, Pull Back, Press and Push) and the Four Corner Hands 
(Pull Down, Split, Elbow and Shoulder).  

The first eight (Pua Qua or Ba Gua) of the Thirteen Gates are often associated, for mnenomic 
or esoteric purposes, with  the eight basic trigrams used in the Chinese I Ching: Book of Changes.
In the order of the first Eight Gates (Pa-Men), the eight I Ching trigrams are Heaven, Earth, 
Water, Fire, Wind, Thunder, Lake, and Mountain.  

All thirteen postures, or course, involve some movement of the feet and legs, but the final Five 
Gates involve more extensive movements of the feet and legs.  These are collectively referred 
to as the Wu-hsing - Five Elemental Phases of Change.  The final five gates are associated 
with the 5 elementary processes (Wu-xing) involving:  metal, wood, water, fire, and earth.  

Eight Gates
(Eight Stances, Postures, Energies, Ways)   

1.   Peng - Ward Off

Peng - Ward Off

Peng Ching (Jing) is outward expanding and moving energy.  It is a quality of responding to incoming 
energy by adhering to that energy, maintaing one's own posture, and bouncing the incoming energy 
back like a large inflated rubber ball.  You don't really respond to force with your own muscular force 
to repel, block, or ward off the attack.  Peng is a response of the whole body, the whole posture, 
unified in one's center, grounded, and capable of gathering and then giving back the opponent's 
energy.  

Peng is aften referred to as a kind of "bouncing" energy.  It is also considered the fundamental
way of delivering energy and embodied in some way in each of the other Eight Gates.  

Example of Form movements:  Grasping the Sparrow's Tail (Ward Off)

"When moving, receiving, collecting, and striking, Peng ching is always used.  It is not easy to complete 
consecutive movements and string them together without flexibility.  Pen ching is T'ai Chi boxing's 
essential energy.  The body becomes like a spring; when pressed it recoils immediately."
-  Kuo, Lien-Ying, "The T'ai Chi Boxing Chronicle," p. 44

Tye's Peng Path Analogy

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2.   Roll Back  -  Lu   

Roll Back - Lu

Lu Ching is receiving and collecting energy, or inward receiving energy.  

Form movements:  Grasping the Sparrow's Tail - Rollback

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3.   Press - Ji or C'hi

Press - C'hi, Qi or Ji

Chi or Ji Ching is pressing and receiving energy.
This is an offensive force delivered by following the opponent's energy, by squeezing
of sticking forward.    

Form movements:  Grasping the Sparrow's Tail - palm pressing on forearm.  

"What is the meaning of Pressing Energy?  It functions in two ways: (1) The simplest
is the direct method.  Advance to meet (receive) the opponent, and then adhere and
close in one action, just like in elbowing.  (2) To apply reaction force is the indirect
method.  This is like a ball bouncing off a wall or a coin tossed onto a drumhead,
rebounding off with a ringing sound."
-   Stuart Alve Loson, T'ai Chi According to the I Ching, 2001, p. 73

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4.   Push - An

Push - An or On

An Ching is downward pushing energy.
Pushing power comes from the legs pushing into the earth.  
Form movements:  Grasping the Sparrow's Tail, Fair Lady Works the Loom
Pushing or pressing with both palms in a downward direction, peng energy 
directed downward.  

What is the meaning of An energy?
When applied it is like flowing water.
The substantial is concealed in the insubstantial.
When the flow is swift it is difficult to resist.
Coming to a high place, it swells and fills the place up;
meeting a hollow it dives downward.
The waves rise and fall,
finding a hole they will surely surge in.
-  T'ang Meng-hsien, Song of An

"What is absolutely necessay in the beginning is to follow the imagination.  For instance:
when the two hands form the Push gesture, there is an imagined intent to the front, as 
if an opponent was really there.  At this time, within the plams of the hands there is no
ch'i which can be issued.  The practitioner must then imagine the ch'i rising up from the
tan-tien into the spine, through the arms and into the wrists and palms.  Thus, accordingly,
the ch'i is imagined to have penetrated outwards onto the opponent's body."
Chen Yen-lin, 1932, Cultivating the Ch'i, Translated by Stuart Alve Olson, 1993

"An Examination of T'ai Chi Push Methods."  By Hiu chee Fatt.   T'ai Chi: The 
International Magazine of T'ai Chi Ch'uan.  Vol. 27, No. 2, April 2003, pp. 21-25.   

"Arn: This posture is normally called to push.  However this is also incorrect as it means 
to 'press'.  This is again a yang attacking movement coming from the whole body issuing 
yin and yang Qi into the attacker's vital points on his chest.  Many make the mistake of 
looking after their legs when they hear about not being 'double weighted' but neglect their 
hands.  Never in Taijiquan is there a two-handed strike or attack using the same power 
in each hand at the same time. There is a 'fa-jing' shake of the waist causing one hand 
to strike just before the other. The hands are firstly yin, then yang thus releasing yang 
Qi into the attacker."
-   Earle Montaigue, Tai Chi 13 Postures, 1998

Push Hands:  Links, Bibliography, Quotes, Notes.

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5.   Pull Down - Tsai   

Pull Down - Tsai or Cai

Tsai Ching is grabbing energy.
A force delivered by a quick grab and pull, usually of an opponent's writst, 
both backward and down.
Form movements:  Needle at Sea Bottom.    

"Tsai: Sometimes called 'inch energy'.  Like picking fruit off a tree with a snap of the 
wrist.  Often on hand will be placed right on top of the other wrist to assist in the power 
of this jerking motion.  It is not a pull of his wrist but rather a violent jerking fa-jing movement 
that can knock him out by its violent action upon his head jerking backwards and kinking 
his brain stem.  Again, the power must come from the centre and not only from the arms 
and hands, and a follow up attack is also necessary."
-   Earle Montaigue, Tai Chi 13 Postures, 1998

"Tsoi is where our opponent loses control of his centre of gravity, and we use a technique 
to disrupt his balance to such an extent that he is uprooted completely from his position. It 
is something like a strategically placed lever lifting a heavy rock."
-   Principles of the Thirteen Tactics

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6.   Split - Lieh   

Split - Lie or Lieh

Lieh Ching is striking energy that splits apart an opponent.

Form movements:  
     Parting the Wild Horses Mane
     Slant Flying
     Wild Stork Flashes Its Wings

"Song of Split:
How can we explain the energy of Split?
Revolving like a flywheel,
If something is throw against it,
It will be cast off a great distance.
Whirlpools appear in swift flowing streams,
And the curling waves are like spirals,
If a falling leaf lands on their surface,
In no time will it sink from sight."
-  "Yang Family Manuscripts," Edited by Li Ying-ang
   "T'ai-chi Touchstones: Yang Family Secret Transmissions," 1983, p. 33

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7.   Elbow - Zhou  

Elbow - Zhou or Chou

Chou Ching is elbow striking energy.  
Turn and Chop with Fist

"What is the meaning of Elbowing Energy?  The function is in the Five Activities:
advancing, withdrawing, looking-left, gazing right, and fixed rooting.  The yin and yang
are distinguished according to the upper and lower, just like Pulling.  The substantial
and insubstantial are to be clearly discriminated.  If its motion is connected and unbroken,
nothing can oppose its strength.  The chopping of the fist is extremely fierce.  After 
thoroughly understanding the Six Energies (adhering, sticking, neutralizing, seizing,
enticing, and issuing), the functional use is unlimited."
-   Stuart Alve Loson, T'ai Chi According to the I Ching, 2001, p. 74

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8.   Shoulder - Kao   

Shoulder - Kao

Kao Ching is a full body strinking energy.  The peng energy is mobilized throughout the entire
body, and then the entire body is used as one unit and the force is delivered with the shoulder 
or back.  

Football players are familiar with this use of energy.    

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Five Steps 
(5 Steps, Directions, Footwork Techniques, Movements)  -  Wu Bu

Nimble, responsive, and coordinated footwork is essential to success in all styles of martial arts.  
Taijiquan requires precise footwork and legwork.  The placement and movement of the legs and
feet as they relate to the powerful and coordinated application of energy in Tai Chi stances and 
postures gets extra attention by Taijiquan teachers in form work, drills, and push hands.  

"In Chinese martial arts, Bu is a general term referring to stance and foot/leg work. If we keep in mind 
our general definition for the Shi San Shi or the 13 Powers, an ideal translation for Wu Bu might be 
something like: “powers based on the five stages of footwork” or, “the five implicit behaviors of the 
stance” or even (considering the interactive nature of the Wu Xing), “the five innate powers and 
conditions arising from the natural cycle of stages within the stance”.  It is the inherent behaviors, 
strengths and stages that are the subject in the Wu Bu, not the shape or position of the stance as 
such. The innate conditions for power in stance work. We are also referring to the cyclical way in 
which these powers emerge and dissolve. Also, as importantly, we are speaking of the natural 
constraints inherent in the legwork."
-   Sam Masich, Approaching Core Principles. 

"Wubu are the five footwork skills. Wu means five. Bu means step. In fact it is more about Shenfa - body 
movement skills because footwork and body movement have a very tight relationship.  They should be 
combined together.  It is said "the body follows steps to move and steps follow the body to changed", 
"Body movement and footwork skills cannot be forgotten. If any of these is omitted, one does not need
to waste his time practicing any more." The body movement skills and footwork skills are about how to 
move the body in fighting. Only when the body can move to the right position (distance and angle), can 
the hand skills work well. Thus, it is said Wubu is the foundation of Bafa."
-   Break Step, an Entering Forward Step.  Five Stepping Methods of Taijiquan

The association of various Kicks with the Five Stepping Movements (9th to 13th Gates) is based solely 
upon a kickboxing training regiment that I use while doing walking or running exercises.  The associations 
are my own, and, to my knowledge, have no connection whatsover to traditional stepping theory in internal 
boxing.  Tai Chi Chuan does use front heel kicks, toe kicks, jump kicks, sweeping kicks, and knee strikes.  
The Five Stepping Movements (i.e., forward, backward, to the left, to the right, and staying in place) all 
primarily involve movements of the legs and feet, with little emphasis upon the arms or hands.  When kicking,  
the arms are used to balance the body, facilitate the control, power, or speed of the kicks, and  to have the 
arms in a defensive position.  It seems to me appropriate to associate kicking techniques with the Five 
Stepping Movements.  In Tai Chi Chuan practice, kicking is done slowly, effortlessly, gently, and smoothly; 
and considerable balance and strength are required to extend the legs fully, slowly, and in strict form.  In 
kick boxing practice the kicks are done with much more speed and power.  These are the Yin and Yang 
approaches to kicking; and, both approaches are needed by martial artists.      

9.   Advancing Steps - Jin

Advancing Steps, Stances, and Looking (Jin Bu)

Brush Knee and Twist Step

Generally speaking, when moving forward, step forward with your heel first.  Carefully transfer 
weight to the forward foot, while being prepared to retreat the step as needed.

Walking forward exercise #6.

" This step is one of the main stepping methods of Taijiquan. The front foot is placed down on its heel, then as 
the body moves forward, the toes are placed.  However, the weight does not come any more forward than the 
middle of the foot. The thighs and knees are curved and collecting while the rear thigh is less curved than the 
front.  We never retreat in Taijiquan and we can do this because of this stepping method.  The rear foot controls 
the waist in yielding and throwing away the attacker’s strength.  The waist is controlled during this step by the 
rear foot.  There is an old Taijiquan saying: "To enter is to be born while to retreat is to die". So we never retreat, 
we rely upon the rear leg controlling the waist for our power and evasiveness without moving backward."
-   Break Step, an Entering Forward Step.  Five Stepping Methods of Taijiquan

Consider the advance movements in heel kicks and toe kicks with the right or left leg.  

Forward movement is associated with the Element Metal.

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10.   Retreating Steps - Tui

Retreating Steps, Stances, and Looking Back (Tui Bu)
Step Back and Repulse Monkey

Generally speaking, when moving backward, step backward with your toe first.  Carefully 
transfer weight to the backward moving foot, while being prepared to return the foot
forward as needed.

Walking backward exercise #6

Conside the turning backward set up for a back kick with either the right or left legs.  

Backward movement is assocated with the Element Wood.

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11.   Stepping to the Left Side After Faking Right - Ku   

Left Side Moving Steps, Stances, after Gazing to the Right (You Pan) or faking to the right.
Rolling on one foot

Parting the Wild Horse's Mane
Waving Hands Like Clouds
Strike the Tiger
Deflect, Parry and Punch
Single Whip

Toe kicks with the left leg.
Heel kicks with the left leg.
Sweeping kicks with the left leg.
Jumping kicks with the left leg.
Side kicks with the left leg 
Spinning kicks with the left leg.

Movement to the left and looking to the left is associated with the Element Water.

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12.   Stepping to the Right Side after Faking Left - Pan   

Right Side Moving Steps, Stances, after Looking to the Left (Zou Gu) or faking left.
Rolling on one foot

Parting the Wild Horse's Mane
Strike the Tiger
Brush Knee and Twist Step
Slant Flying

Toe Kicks with the right leg
Heel Kicks with the right leg
Sweeping kicks with the right leg.  
Jumping kicks with the right leg.
Side kicks with the right leg.  
Spinning kicks with the right leg.    

Movement to the right is associated with the Element Fire.

"Song of Look-Right:
Feigning to the left, we attack to the right
     with perfect Steps.
Stricking left and attacking right,
     we follow the opportunities.
We avoid the frontal and advance from the side,
     seizing changing conditions.
Left and right, full and empty,
     our technique must be faultless."
-  "Yang Family Manuscripts," Edited by Li Ying-ang
   "T'ai-chi Touchstones: Yang Family Secret Transmissions," 1983, p. 37

"Gu (or Zuogu - left look around) means to go forward sideways; that really means to close up to the opponent 
indirectly.  Here Zuo (left) means sideway; Gu (look around) means look after or being careful. Usually in martial 
arts this term means defensiveness within attacking skills. So the main idea of Zuogu is how to rotate and advance 
forward from sideway with some defense skills. It is usually called rotate attack. It is wood which means straight 
and grow up continually.  It belongs to Ganjin (Liver Channel). When the key point Jiaji is focused on, the qi will 
automatically urge the body to rotate and advance forward."
-   Zhang Yun, Tai Chi 13 Postures  (This webpage offers some depth of interpretation about the 13 Postures.)

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13.   Settling at the Center - Ding   

Settling at the Center, Rooting Stances, and Holding Still - Zhong Ding

Golden Cock Stands on Right Leg - Left Knee Strike
Golden Cock Stands on Left Leg - Right Knee Strike
Needle at Sea Bottom
Fair Lady Works the Shuttles

Centering, holding to one's center, maintaining equilibrium, settling, moving downward, 
and staying balanced at one's center are associated with the Element Earth.  

Knee strikes with the right or left knee.

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Links and Resources about the Thirteen Gates of T'ai Chi Ch'uan:
12 Taijiquan Postures (Movements, Stances, Techniques, Energies or Powers)

Links and Bibliography

Approaching Core Principles.   By Sam Masich.  13Kb.  

Buddhism and Martial Arts

Chang San-Feng

Chen Style of Taijiquan   "The Old Frame Chen Style of Tai Chi bears a close resemblance 
to the New Frame Chen Style and also to the Zhao Bao and Hu Lei styles. Apparently it is 
not based on the classic '13 postures' which are central to the Yang and Wu Styles of 
Tai Chi."  "Chen Fa Ke had replied that his art was not based on the 13 postures."

Cheng Man-Ch'ing (1901-1975)   

Chinese Philosophy and Tai Chi Chuan.   By Dan Docherty.  

"Clarifying the Meaning of Peng Energy."  By Hiu Chee Fatt.  T'ai Chi, April, 2002, 
Volume 26, No. 2, pp. 44-47.  

Classics of Taijiquan

The Complete Book of Tai Chi Chuan: A Comprehensive Guide to the Principles
and Practice.  By Wong, Kiew Kit.  Shaftesbury, Dorset, Element, 1996.  Index,
bibliography, 316 pages.  ISBN: 1852307927.  The Thirteen Gates are described
and analyzed on pages 40 - 63: Fundamental Hand Movements and Footwork.
Combat sequences and tactics using the Eight Gates are found on pages 100 - 150.  

Eight Gates.   Guang Ping Yang Tai Chi Chuan Japan.  10K.    

Eight Section Brocade Chi Kung   By Michael P. Garofalo.  100K+.

The Essence of T'ai Chi Ch'uan: The Literary Tradition.  Translated and edited by
Benjamin Pang Jeng Lo; Martin Inn, Robert Amacker, and Susan Foe.  Berkeley,
California, North Atlantic Books, 1985.  100 pages.  ISBN: 0913028630.  .  
Includes translations of works on the Thirteen Postures (pp. 41 - 66).  

Expositions of Insights Into the Practice of the Thirteen Postures.  By Wu, Yu-hsiang. 
Paraphrased by Lee N. Scheele.   2K.  

Expositions of Insights Into the Practice of the Thirteen Postures.   By Wu, Yu-hsiang
(Wu Yuxian) 1812-1880.  5Kb.  

Five Elements Theory, Five Elements Tai Chi Chuan School.   By Sifu Bob Marks.   5K.  

Five Stimulations of Taijiquan .   Paul Abdella.  1.  Expand and Contract, 2. Rise and Sink,
3.  Full and Empty,  4.  Turn and Twist, and 5.  Fast and Slow.  16Kb.  

Five Stepping Methods of Taijiquan   

Five Steps: Meditative Sensation Walking.  By Paul Crompton.  Midpoint Trade Books,
1999.   80 pages.  ISBN: 187425060X.

Four Gates in the Shaolin Mural   Analysis by Wong, Kiew Kit of a 15th century mural 
painted on a wall at the Shaolin Temple.  

The Four Skills of Tai Chi Chuan.   By Howard Choy.  20K.

Grasping the Sparrow's Tail

The Intrinsic Energies of T'ai Chi Ch'uan.  Compiled and translated by Stuart Alve Olson.  
Chen Kung Series, Volume Two.   Saint Paul, Minnesota, Dragon Door Publications, 1994.
Index, 194 pages.  ISBN: 093804513X.    

Kent's Tai Chi Center - 13 Postures   Includes a good chart showing the 13 Postures.  

Meditation: Links, Bibliography, Notes, Quotes.

Mental Elucidation of the Thirteen Postures   By Wu Yu Xiang.   5K

Mental Elucidation of the Thirteen Postures   Tai Chi Classics.   31Kb.  

Principles of the Thirteen Tactics

Push Hands (T'ui Shou):  Links, bibliography, quotes, notes.

Rooting: The Secret of Getting Power from the Earth.  By Gaofei Yan and James
Cravens.  61K.  

The Secret Yang Style 13 Kinetic Movements

Silk Reeling (Chan Ssu Jin): Links, bibliography, quotes, notes. 

Shi San Shi: The Thirteen Powers     By Sam Masich.   22Kb.

Song of the Thirteen Postures.   Paraphrased by Lee N. Scheele.  2Kb.

Song of 13 Postures.   By Dennis Watts, Gold Coast Tai Chi Academy.  12Kb.  

Song of the Thirteen Postures   

Song of the Thirteen Postures  


Song of the Thirteen Postures

Song of the Thirteen Postures.   Translated by Benjamin Pang Jeng Lo.  

Song of the Thirteen Postures  4Kb.  Text of classic.  

Sung Style of Taijiquan

Songs of the Eight Postures.    Attributed to T'an, Meng-hsien.  As researched by 
Lee N. Scheele.  6K.   

T'ai Chi According to the I Ching: Embodying the Principles of the Book of Changes.
By Stuart Alve Olson.  Rochester, Vermont, Inner Traditions International Ltd., 2001.  
224 pages.  ISBN:  0892819448.  This book provides a detailed and well researched
analysis of how the I Ching Trigrams are related to various Tai Chi postures/movements,
using the Yang form as the basis for associations.  

The T'ai Chi Boxing Chronicle.   Complied and explained by Kuo, Lien-Ying.  Translated 
by Guttmann.  Berkeley, California, North Atlantic Books, 1994.   141 pages.  
ISBN: 1556431775.  The Eight Gates and Five Steps are explained on pages
43 -60.   

T'ai Chi Chuan: The Martial Side.   By Michael Babin.  Boulder, Colorado, Paladin Press,
1992.  142 pages.   ISBN: 0873646797.   Thirteen postures on pages 83 - 98.  

T'ai Chi Ch'uan Walking

T'ai Chi Classics.  By Waysun Liao.  New translations of three essential texts of T'ai Chi 
Ch'uan with commentary and practical instruction by Waysun Liao.  Illustrated by the author.  
Boston, Shambhala, 1990. 210 pages.  ISBN: 087773531X. 

Tai Chi Energies.   By Eo Omwake.  Videotape, 50 minutes.  

Tai Chi 13 Postures.   By Earle Montaigue.   8Kb.

Tai Chi 13 Postures.   By Zhang Yun.   32Kb.  

Tai Chi Touchstones: Yang Family Secret Transmissions.  Translation, commentary
and editing by Douglas Wile.  Sweet Chi Press, 8th Edition, 1983.  159 pages.
ISBN: 091205901X.

Tai Chi Walking   

Taijiquan Classics   

Taijiquan Links and Bibliography

Taiji Thirteen Postures.   By Zhang Yun.   31K.  

The Tao of T'ai-Chi Ch'uan:  Way to Rejuvenation.   By Jou, Tsung, Hwa.   Edited by Shoshana
Shapiro.  Warwick, New York, Tai Chi Foundation, 1980.  263 pages.  First Edition. 
ISBN: 0804813574.  The Eight Gates are described and explained on pages 226-239.

Taoism and Tai Chi Chuan  By James Leporati.  

Thirteen Animals of Taijiquan   "1.  Dragon: Playing   2. Tiger: Pouncing   3. Snake: Coiling 
4. Horse: Parting   5. Phoenix: Looking   6. Monkey: Stretching   7. Bear: Walking 
8. Toad: Gazing   9. Chicken: Fighting   10. Magpie: Jumping   11. Crane: Dancing   
12. Lion: Turning   13. Lynx: Catching."

Thirteen Entrances, About T'ai Chi Ch'uan and the I Ching.  By Sifu Kent Mark.  
Provides a colorful chart on the Thirteen Gates and their relation to the 
I Ching: Book of Changes trigrams.   

The Thirteen Gates of T'ai Chi Ch'uan: Notes, Bibliography, Links and Quotations.
By Michael P. Garofalo.  40Kb

Thirteen Posture Forms   Zhaobao, Sun, and Wu 13 posture forms.  

Thirteen Postures Yangjia Michuan Taijiquan

13 Postures of Taiji.   By Mike Sigman.   Article in 'Internal Martial Arts": October, 1999.
Note the differences between the Chen and Yang styles for the 5 steps.  The Chen
style: "Teng: Sudden upward-angles strike (Yang: step forward), Shan: Sudden emptying
downward (retreat back); Zhe: Bend/close opponents arm back on him (look left); Kong:
Sudden empytying not quite downward (Gaze Right); and Huo: Overall smooth and 
flowing (central equilibrium)."

Les 13 postures (8+5=13 formes).  Huit mouvements de mains.   Includes photographs and 
descriptions in French.   

Thirteen Postures: Yangjia Michuan Taijiquan    8K

Valley Spirit Tai Chi Chuan Journal.  A daily journal with reflections, notes, suggestions, 
references, questions and answers, links and quotations.  By Michael P. Garofalo.  

Valley Spirit Tai Chi Chuan Club.  Red Bluff, California.  Organizer: Michael P. Garofalo.

Walking and Taijiquan   

"Wang Haijun on Eight Methods of Training Jin," by David Gaffney, T'ai Chi: The International 
Magazine of T'ai Chi Ch'uan: Vol. 29, No. 4, August, 2005, pp. 5-10.  Translation by Davidine 
Diaw-Voon Sim. 

Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan, Training Basics, Part 1.  Includes drills for practicing
the Eight Gates.   Videotape features Master Lu, Gui Rong.   65 minute videotape.

Yang Family Style Tai Chi Chuan Traditional Long Form, 108 Movements.  
By Michael P. Garofalo.  100 KB.  Provides a list of the movements divided into 
five sections for teaching (.html and .pdf versions available).  Includes a bibliography, 
links, notes, and quotations.   Provides a list comparing the Yang Long Form
108 to 85 postures sequence.    

Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Short Form, Peking Version 24 Movements.
By Michael P. Garofalo.   List, notes, bibliography, links, quotations.  30K+.   

Quotations about the Thirteen Gates of T'ai Chi Ch'uan:
13 Taijiquan Postures (Movements, Techniques, Stances, Energies or Powers)

Quotations

"In the Long Form, Ward Off, Rollback, Press, Push, Roll-Pull, Split, Elbow, and Lean Forward 
are called the forms of the Eight Diagram (Pakua), the movement encompassing the eight 
directions.  In stance, moving forward, backward, to the right side, to the left side, and staying 
in the center are called the Five-Style Steps.  Ward Off, Rollback, Press, and Push are called 
the four cardinal directions.  Roll-Pull, Split, Elbow, and Lean Forward forms are called the 
four diagonals.  Forward, backward, to the left side, to the right side, and center are called 
metal, wood, water, fire and earth, respectively.  When combined, these forms are called the 
thirteen original styles of T'ai Chi Ch'uan."
-    Master Chang San-Feng, from a text dated circa 1600 CE, 
    "T'ai Chi Classics," Translated by Waysun Liao, p. 95

"The Shi San Shi or ‘Thirteen Powers’ are universally regarded as the energetic and conceptual 
core of Taijiquan training. They are considered to be the source of all stylistic variations of Tai Chi 
and the universal key which unlocks the secret of all Taijiquan. It is said that without Shi San Shi  
at the root, one’s art cannot be called Taijiquan. The Shi San Shi consist of thirteen specific power 
qualities used in martial arts. These are broken into two main categories, the first of which contains 
eight components associated with the structure and operation arms and hands. These are called 
Peng, Lü, Ji, An and Cai, Lie, Zhou, Kao (Ward-off, Roll-back, Press, Push and Pull-down, Split, 
Elbow, Shoulder).  The second category contains five components which relate to the structure 
and operation of the legs and feet.  These are called Jin Bu, Tui Bu, Zou Gu, You Pan and 
Zhong Ding (Advance Step, Retreat Step, Left-side Gazing, Right-side Looking and Central 
Settling). The theory is not fanciful.  It supports a reasoned and practical methodology for adroitly 
managing the dynamics of interaction within a specific range of hand combat."
-  Sam Masich, Shi San Shi: The Thirteen Powers 

"The taiji form is therefore, a set of postures designed to express the taiji principles.  Indeed, the 
oldest masters of taiji did not practice a "taiji form."  They took basic postures from martial arts 
and health-exercise forms and infused them with specific (taiji) principles.  These basic postures
are known as: the 5 steps and the 8 gates.  Together they are called the core "13 postures of 
taijiquan."  Practiced in an impromptu way, these basic moves were put together in various 
combinations that flowed into one another.  This was the original way of taijiquan."
-   Alpha Holistics, Learning Tai Chi Chuan

"In tai chi practice, each of the five elements is represented by the five lower body directions: 
forward=metal, backward=wood, look left=water, gaze right=fire, and central equilibrium=earth.  
The five elements combine with the eight trigrams to create the 13 postures of t'ai chi chuan.  
The eight trigrams (the eight gates) define the eight energies in t'ai chi: peng, lu, ji, an, tsi, jou, 
kou, lie.  The thirteen postures form the basis for all techniques in tai chi."
-  Sifu Bob Marks, Five Elements Theory, Five Elements Tai Chi Chuan School

"Kuo, Lien-Ying's chronicle on Tai Chi makes clear that no matter what style one practices all 
forms of Tai Chi must conform to the classic qualities of the art as they have been recorded 
throughout history. This means there is only one T'ai Chi Ch'uan. These qualities are referred 
to as the Ba-gua (8) gates and Wu-hsing (Five Elemental Phases of Change) steps. Together 
they constitute Tai Chi's 13 movements."
-  Notes on Yang, Lu Chan

"The Eight Trigrams and Five Elements are a part of man's natural endowment.  We must
first understand the basis of work: conscious movement.  Only after grasping conscious
movement are we abel to interpret energy, and only after interpreting energy can we reach
the level of spiritual insight.  Thus the first stage of our work is understanding conscious
movment, which although it is a natural endowment is extremely difficulat for us to acquire."
-   Yang Ch'eng-fu, Self Defense Applications of T'ai-chi Ch'uan, 1931
    Tai Chi Touchstones: Yang Family Secret Transmissions, p. 133.  

"Taiji Quan is often called Taiji Shi San Shi (Taiji Thirteen Postures) or just Shi San Shi. Thirteen is 
the special number in Taiji Quan.  Behind this number is the complete principle of Taiji Quan. This 
principle is respected and followed by all generations of Taiji groups for more than two hundred 
years. It is the foundation of Taiji Quan.  Thus, to learn this principle is really important for Taiji Quan 
practice. Without understanding it well, one cannot reach high level Taiji Quan skills.
    Shi San Shi - Thirteen Postures does not mean thirteen different postures or movements. Actually
it means thirteen basic skills; and moreover, it means thirteen basic attributes for advance
study. They are the foundation of all Taiji Quan skills. It is said all other skills come from the different 
variation and combination of these skills.
-  Zhang Yun, Taiji Thirteen Postures

    "You must pay attention to the turning transformations of empty and full,
and the chi moving throughout your body without the slightest hindrance.
    In the midst of stillness one comes in contact with movement, moving as 
though remaining still.  According with one's opponent, the transformations 
appear wondrous.
    For each and every posture, concentrate your mind and consider the 
meaning of the applications.  You will not get it without conciously expending 
a great deal of time and effort.
    Moment by moment, keep the mind/heart on the waist.  With the lower 
abdomen completely loosened, the chi will ascend on its own."
-  Song of the Thirteen Postures

"Move the chi as though through a pearl carved with a zigzag path (nine-bend pearl), reaching 
everywhere without a hitch.  Mobilise energy that is like well-tempered steel capable of breaking
through any stronghold.   One's form is lke a hawk seizing a rabbit. One's spirit is like a cat seizing 
a rat.  Be still like a mountain, move like a flowing river. Store energy as though drawing a bow. 
Issue energy (fa jin) as though releasing an arrow.   Seek the straight in the curved.  Store up, then 
issue.   The strength issues from the spine; the steps follow the body' changes. To gather in is in 
fact to release.  To break off is to again connect.  In going to and fro there must be folding; in 
advancing and retreating there must be turning transitions.  Arriving at the extreme of yielding 
softness, one afterward arrives at the extreme of solid hardness."
-   Wu Yu Xiang, Mental Elucidation of the Thirteen Postures

"The apocryphal founder of Tai Chi was a monk of the Wu Tang Monastery, Chang San-feng to whom have 
been ascribed various dates and longevity's. Some scholars doubt his historical existance, viewing him as 
a literary construct on the lines of Lao Tzu. Other research and records from the Ming-shih (the official 
chronicles of the Ming dynasty) seem to indicate that he lived in the period from 1391 to 1459.  

Linking some of the older forms with the notion of yin-yang from Taoism and stressing the 'internal' aspects 
of his exercises, he is credited with creating the fundamental 'Thirteen Postures' of Tai Chi corresponding 
to the eight basic trigrams of the I Ching and the five elements."
-   Christopher Majka, The History of Tai Chi

"The thirteen postures should not be taken lightly;
The source of the postures lies in the waist.
Be mindful of the insubstantial and substantial changes;
The ch'i (breath) spreads throughout without hindrance.
Being still, when attacked by the opponent, be tranquil and move in stillness;
Changes caused by the opponent fill him with wonder.
Study the function of each posture carefully and with deliberation;
To achieve the goal is very easy.   
Pay attention to the waist at all times;
Completely relax the abdomen and the ch'i (breath) rises up.
When the coccyx is straight, the shen (spirit) goes through the headtop.
To make the whole body light and agile suspend the headtop.
Carefully study."
-   The Song of Thirteen Postures.   Translated by Benjamin Pang Jeng Lo,
     Martin Inn, Robert Amacker and Susan Foe, 1985.  

"The principle of Taijiquan is based on Wang Tsungyueh's Taijiquan Treatise ["discovered" in 
1853) using the idea of Taiji in Yi Ching , and the requirements for boxing.  It stresses the 
application of the interaction of two opposites, Yin and Yang, to the strategy of fighting so as
to achieve the utmost advantage over your opponent.  However, this treatise provides a concise 
description without details to methodology.  Still, the Taiji idea can be applied to find the details 
of the basic requirements of Wushu.  When two opponents are in a fight, one must have a 
fighting strategy and tactics to achieve victory.  Strategies means external and internal 
maneuvers while tactics mean actions and postures.  Continuing this method of analysis, a set 
of requirements is obtained for the motion of hand and feet, as well as the body postures and 
state of mind.  Any routine that satisfies these requirements is called Taijiquan. This set of 
requirements were grouped together by the Taijiquan masters, and is called the 13-Postures. 
Of these, six are the names of curvelinear motions, and the rest of 7 postures are named as 
Lean, Elbow, Move Forward and Aft, Observed, Aware, and Calm.  Based on these 13-Postures, 
various stances of Taijiquan are formed."  
-   Mark Tinghei, "A Synopsis of Taijiquan"

"The last five of Taijiquan’s Shi San Shi, or Thirteen Powers (oft. “Postures”) are the Wu Bu, 
usually translated as the five directions, the five steps, the five phases or the five elements. 
Although these are said to be fundamental aspects of Tai Chi training, it is rare to find a Tai 
Chi practitioner with a truly integrated sense of the Wu Bu, and problems abound with regard 
to interpretation and the application of the Wu Bu theory.  To complicate the issue there is very 
little available material exploring this subject.   Most books provide at best a cursory explanation 
or a simple list"
-  Sam Masich, Approaching Core Principles. 

"Taiji Quan, the other name is Chang Quan (Long Fist), also named Shi San Shi (Thirteen Postures). It 
is Chang Quan because it likes a long river and an ocean flowing forever wave by wave. Shi San Shi 
is Peng, Lu, Ji, An, Cai, Lie, Zhou, Kao, Jin, Tui, Gu, Pan, Ding. Peng, Lu, Ji, An, that is Kuan, Li, Zhen, 
Dui, are the four straight directions. Cai, Lie, Zhou, Kuo, that is Qian, Kun, Gen, Xun, are the four 
diagonal directions. This is Bagua (Eight Trigrams). Jinbu, Tuibu, Zuogu, Youpan, Zhongding, that is 
metal, wood, water, fire, earth, is Wuxing (Five Elements). To combine these together is Shi San Shi."
-  Wang Zongyue, Tai Chi Classic, "Explanation of the Name of Taiji Quan."

Sink, relax completely, and aim in one direction!
In the curve seek the straight, store, then release.
Be still as a mountain, move like a great river.
The upright body must be stable and comfortable
To be able to sustain an attack from any of the eight directions.
Walk like a cat.
Remember, when moving, there is no place that does not move.
When still, there is no place that is not still.
First seek extension, then contraction; then it can be fine and subtle.
It is said if the opponent does not move, then I do not move.
At the opponent's slightest move, I move first."
To withdraw is then to release, to release it is necessary to withdraw.
In discontinuity there is still continuity.
In advancing and returning there must be folding.
Going forward and back there must be changes.
The form is like that of a falcon about to seize a rabbit;
The shen is like that of a cat about to catch a rat.
-  Wu Yuxian (1812-1880), "Expositions of Insights Into the Practice of the Thirteen Postures."

"The Eight Trigrams and Five Elements are a part of man's natural endowment.  We must
first understand the basis of work: conscious movement.  Only after grasping conscious
movement are we abel to interpret energy, and only after interpreting energy can we reach
the level of spiritual insight.  Thus the first stage of our work is understanding conscious
movment, which although it is a natural endowment is extremely difficulat for us to acquire."
-   Yang Ch'eng-fu, Self Defense Applications of T'ai-chi Ch'uan, 1931
    Tai Chi Touchstones: Yang Family Secret Transmissions, p. 133.  

"I believe the concept of "center" in Jiulong and the Daoqiquan arts is broader than the concept of "center of gravity" in mathematics/physics.  In addition to your physical center of gravity, the "centeredness" of your mind, your intent, and the
state of your Song are part of the equation as well.  If fear causes you to "rise up" to flee, then fear has raised your center.  And that's not necessarily bad, if your intent is to be light on your feet and run as fast as you can."
-  Stewart Warren, Jiulong Baguazhong # 1360, 31 Jan 2006 

Charts for the Thirteen Gates:
Thirteen Tai Chi Chuan Postures, Movements, Stances, Techniques, and Powers

Charts

Terms and Translations Chart

Pau Kua Chart

Terms and Translations Chart

Ba Fa Chart

These attributions are based on a variety of readings and interpretaions:

Different Associations of Eight Gates to Eight Trigrams:

Yang Ch'eng-Fu, 1931, in Tai Chi Touchstones: Yang Family Secret Transmissions, pp. 130-138

Ward-Off (Peng), South, K'an
Roll-back (Lu), West, Li
Press (Ji), East, Tui
Push (An), North, Chen
Pull-Down (Tsai or Cai), Northwest, Hsun
Split (Lieh), Southeast, Ch'ien
Elbow-Stroke (Chou), Northeast, K'un
Shoulder-Stroke (Kao), Southwest, Ken

Zhang Yun, Taiji Thirteen Postures.

Ward-Off (Peng), North, Kuan, Water
Roll-Back (Lu), South, Li, Fire
Press (Ji), East, Zhen
Push (An), West, Dui
Pull-Down (Tsai or Cai), Northwest, Qian
Split (Lieh or Lie), Southwest, Kun
Elbow-Stroke (Chou or Zhou), Northeast, Gen
Shoulder-Stroke (Kao), Southeast, Xun

Jou, Tsung Hwa, The Tao of T'ai-Chi Ch'uan:  Way to Rejuvenation, 1980.  

Ward-Off (Peng), South, Chien, Heaven
Roll-Back (Lu), North, Kun, Earth
Press (Ji), West, Kan, Water
Push (An), East, Li, Fire
Pull-Down (Tsai or Cai), Southwest, Sun, Wind
Split (Lieh or Lie), Northeast, Chen, Thunder
Elbow-Stroke (Chou or Zhou), Southeast, Tui, Lake
Shoulder-Stroke (Kao), Northwest, Ken, Mountain

Stuart Alve Loson, T'ai Chi According to the I Ching, 2001
     From the classic text: "The Eight Gates and Five Steps Discourse," p. 76-83

Ward-Off (Peng), Southeast, Chien, Heaven
Roll-Back (Lu), Northeast, Kun, Earth
Press (Ji), South, Kan, Water
Push (An), North, Li, Fire
Pull-Down (Tsai or Cai), Northwest, Sun, Wind
Split (Lieh or Lie), West, Chen, Thunder
Elbow-Stroke (Chou or Zhou), East, Tui, Valley
Shoulder-Stroke (Kao), Southwest, Ken, Mountain

Sifu Kent Mark, The History of Tai Chi Chuan

Ward-Off (Peng), South, Chien, Heaven
Roll-Back (Lu), North, Kun, Earth
Press (Ji), West, Kan, Water
Push (An), East, Li, Fire
Pull-Down (Tsai or Cai), Southwest, Sun, Wind
Split (Lieh or Lie), Northeast, Chen, Thunder
Elbow-Stroke (Chou or Zhou), Southeast, Tui, Lake
Shoulder-Stroke (Kao), Northwest, Ken, Mountain

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