On The Philosophic Theory Of Taijiquan

Taijiquan is a philosophic category of Chinese traditional culture. Its emergence, development, and formation of an integrated system have been influencing Chinese thinking pattern and behavior. Taijiquan is created on the base of"Taiji". As a reflection of Chinese traditional culture, Taijiquan sweeps the world and becomes unrivaled in the boxing field. For more than three hundred years of development, Taijiquan almost absorbs all the essence of Chinese traditional culture and develops into a unique human culture which demonstrates the living spirit of nature.This paper examines the developing factors of Taijiquan from the prospect of culturology and philosophy. Based on the theory of culturology, this study adopts documentation, expert interviewing, and the unity of history and logic in the dialectical materialism, coming to the conclusion that deep-seated cultural foundation is the inner impetus to the prosperity of Taijiquan, whose thoughts, theory, and technique originate from Taiji"s Philosophic Theory. This study also helps enrich the theory of Taijiquan and makes some contribution to the construction of the theory system.With the base of Taiji theory, Taijiquan fully absorbs the philosophy of the Song and Ming Dynasties, especially Zhou Dunyi"s Tai Ji Tu Shuo and"five-element"theory of Taiji Tu. It blends Taoism Regimen Philosophy into the core value of Yi Jing and demonstrates the teachings of Confucius and the idea of Harmony.Taijiquan is slow, soft, and light. These features originate from Taiji's Xiang, Shu, and Li. In principle, one should adapt to the natural law of Yin-yang, reflecting the holistic view of"slight situation as a whole", reaching a combination of inside and outside, the body and the spirit, and the unity of human and nature. As a harmonious experience of body and mind, Taijiquan is a practice of human-based, kindness-first moral value. It blends the fighting nature of Wushu with traditional ethics, making it a movement not only helpful for attack and defense, but for health, self protection, and character. The practice of Qi, the emphasis of Yi, and the adjustment of Xin constitute three levels of Taijiquan practice. It is found that Taijiquan, with its unique Xing, Yi, and Li, set a good example for the perfect combination of Taiji Philosophic Theory and Boxing movement, deserving the name of"boxing of philosophy". Taiji Philosophic Theory not only provides guidance for the technique and movement system of Taijiquan, but gives implication to the sublimation of human spirit and the meaning of life, reflecting the never-ending living spirit of nature and the idea of harmony.