The Thirteen Movements of the Tai Chi Sabre


1. Changing the sabre over in “Seven Stars” and “Riding a Tiger” postures.
“Seven Stars and Riding a Tiger”

2. Soaring and turning, dodging and spreading in an elevated fashion
“Soaring, Turning, Dodging and Spreading”

3. Glancing to the left and to the right and spreading out
“Glancing to Left and Right”

4. White crane unfolding its wings with ‘Wuxing’ palm.
“White Crane Spreading its Wings”

5. The Lotus flower hidden amongst the leaves as the wind blows.
“The Wind Rolls the Lotus Flowers”

6. Jade Lady working at her shuttles in eight directions.
“Jade Lady Working her Shuttles”

7. Opening and Closing of the “Three Stars” of the body in a free display
“Opening and Closing of the Body”

8. Rising to kick followed by “striking the tiger” postures
“To Kick and to Strike the Tiger”

9. Covering body and turning sideways to kick like a mandarin duck
“To Kick like a Mandarin Duck”

10. Whipping the sabre like pushing a boat along with the current
“Pushing a Boat Along with the Current”

11. Co-ordinated horizontal movements with body, arms and legs
“Horizontal Co-ordinated Movements”

12. Parting water left and right and to jump up the Dragon Gate
“Jumping up the Dragon Gate”

13. Concluding the form like a phoenix returning to roost
“Phoenix Returning to Roost”