Taiji History

"Tai Ji Quan" (Supreme ultimate Fist) is probably the most popular Chinese martial art style and is practiced everywhere on this planet. Taiji is a wushu style, just like nanquan, only that taiji is a soft, internal style while nanquan is an extern hard style. Taiji is so popular, because it also attracts people who are not even interested in martial arts. A sport for young and old. It's proven that taiji is healthy for body and mind (strengthens joints and muscles, stretching, meditation etc.) There are many different taiji styles, Chen (which was the first one), Wu, Yang etc. More info below.

History: Taiji History

  • Chenstyle: Chen Wang Ting (1600 - 1680) was the inventor of the chen-style. That was the official first style of taiji. But there was a development before this. The earliest Taiji related name is "Zhang San Feng" who lived in the 12th century. The name "Taijiquan" was first used by "Wang Zhong Yue" around 1400.
  • About 150 years later Chen Chang Xing taught his style to Yang Lu Quan. This was the beginning of the yang style.
  • Around 1850 Wu Yu Xiang was influenced by both styles and invented the WuHao Stlye together with Hao Wei Chen.
  • A few years later the Wu style was invented by another Chinese with the first name: "Wu" The Wu-Style comes from the Yang-Style.
  • Sun-Style Taiji comes from Wuhao-Style Taiji. Invented by Sun Lu Tang around 1900.
  • Until now, many new styles have been founded but only the 5 first styles are recognized
    by the international community.
    Chen-Style, most popular, most traditional
    Yang Style, Nr. 2 popular
    Wu-Hao-Style Nr. 3 popular
    Wu-Style Nr. 4 popular
    Sun-Style Nr. 5 popular.
    However, due to the amount of competitive wushu athletes in China, modern taiji might be the most popular.
  • The Chinese sports commission decided to make up new forms for competition use in 1956
  • In 1990 the 42-form was made up. A combination of chen, yang, wu and sun style techniques.
  • Now competitions are held in 42 and freestyle forms. Freestyle Taiji includes difficult stretches and acrobatics.