Beautiful Patterns
Nowadays there are a few patterns in Tai Chi Chuan that are often focused upon for their inherent beauty. But the aim of this little series is what are some useful combat applications of these beautiful patterns?
Below we have some priceless pictures of late Grand Masters performing the well known Taijiquan patterns to be discussed.
Late Grandmaster Yang Cheng Fu performing 'Part the Wild Horses Mane'
A drawing of late Grandmaster Wu Jien Chuan performing 'Brush Knee Twist Step'. In Whanam Taijiquan this pattern is known as 'Green Dragon Shoots Pearl'
Often, when lay people think of ‘Tai Chi’ they normally think of someone striking one of these beautiful postures. But what were these patterns originally used for ?
Yes, these postures look beautiful, but it should be remembered that Tai Chi Chuan is basically a martial art, and that every movement was originally done for a martial reason. From this perspective it is easy to see how degraded Tai Chi Chuan has become, when we look at a martial art movement but never question what these movements are actually meant to do.
So with this in mind let’s look at two of the most recognisable Tai Chi Chuan patterns and see what some of their uses are for combat, or at least how we use them in Wahnam Tai Chi Chuan.
These patterns are…
- ‘Green Dragon Shoots Pearl’, more commonly known as-‘Brush Knee, twist Step’
- ‘Part the Wild Horses Mane’
Below are pictures of how the patterns are performed in Wahnam Taijiquan
'Green Dragon Shoots Pearl' also known by less poetic name of 'Brush Knee Twist Step'
The above patternis ‘Part the Wild Horses Mane’
One interesting point to note is that these patterns are generally common to all of the main styles of Tai Chi Chuan. In many pictures of famous Tai Chi Chuan Master’s, more often that not they will be performing one of theses beautiful patterns. There isn’t however many pictures showing the applications of these movements. This could be due to Masters not wanting to give away what would have been top secrets to the public.
You will notice that in Wahnam Taijiquan the ‘form’ demonstrated in applications is almost exactly the same as the form demonstarted when performing a Tai Chi Set (although there may be some adjustments depending on the combat situation). I.e. We aim to use good hand patterns and stances. This is because in Wahnam Tai Chi Chuan we aim to practice application and sparring the same way we perform the Taijiquan patterns in solo set practice. Using good form and stances offers us many advantages in combat. We are certain this is how past Masters practised, and there is much evidence to substantiate this. Indeed in the future I may write some articlse on how past Taijiquan Masters trained there combat application.
I hope you enjoy the up coming articles.
Robin
