What is Taiji?
You may know this already…this is either a reminder or a highlight about what we’re exploring here at RealTaiji.com. Here’s 3 brief concepts you might like to know about Taiji:
- Taiji is the highest conceivable principle.
- Taiji is the proper and official spelling.
- Taiji is the conventional nickname for Taijiquan.
The Highest Conceivable Principle
It’s the main reference here at RealTaiji.com: the vision is to seek and embody the Highest Principle.
- It’s the best ever!
Taiji literally means Great Ridgepole. Imagine it this way: it’s the amazing Tent-Pole that holds up the Circus Tent of the World.
In personal terms: it’s that single-string that allows you to stand-up and to be awake…you know, your vertical axis that lets you sink in to the Earth and feel the Lightness at the Top of your Head. It’s the deepest, most primal and power string of power that ties you to the Universe. Can you feel it?
See: Taiji refers to first act of the Universe, right after complete darkness, after total emptiness…that first and single intention—to wake up—is Taiji.
Official Chinese Spelling
T’ai-chi was the first romanized spelling of this concept. The writing system, developed by Mr. Thomas Wade in the 19th century, used apostrophes to represent important, specific sounds critical to proper Chinese language pronunciation and understanding. Because many people forgot or removed such important aspects of this language coding system, Pinyin was created.
Pinyin is the current, modern, and official system used to transcribe Chinese language into English. Taiji is the more accurate, modern version of the antiquated T’ai-chi.
Taiji is Taijiquan’s Nickname
Yep. It’s true. And it makes sense, doesn’t it?
In language use, we tend to shorten long words, tend to abbreviate longer phrases, and, heck, this is the age of text-messaging…
Usually, I mean The Most Awesome Principle when I say Taiji, but sometimes, I refer to the Supreme-Ultimate Fist Form i.e. Taijiquan when I use the simple version: Taiji.
What Else About Taiji?
Of course, to learn more about how it works, explore Peek over the Fence, or dive right in to Taiji Training in the Courtyard.
What do you know about Taiji…and how do you use the term?
