Spear form

The Spear in Wudang Tai Chi Chuan is identified with the dragon, so the spirit/state of mind when using the Spear is that of the dragon; an unpredictable and mysterious nature with much floating and diving, twirling and stabbing.  The Tai Chi Spear is an excellent weapon to develop focus and for learning to use “Total Body Force”, so therefore training resolution creating fortitude.  Chen Tin Hung wrote in 1990, 'When training the tai chi spear, adhere, connect, entwine and stab; one lift, one hit, one drag, one dot.  Obstruct and cut, rapid and intense; in the midst of fullness conceal emptiness.  Like a snake coiling and striking of like a willow swaying in the wind.  In the finest stage the changes can be infinite. 

Training the Spear Form

1. By practising the Tai Chi Spear Form we have techniques that differs greatly from what we know from the Sabre and Sword. Because of the techniques, Spear Form will especially improve your focus. They can stretch and strengthen muscle, sinew and bones, improve your condition and make your respiration deeper and easier. By focusing on the changes in the deep and beautiful stances of the Spear Form, both body and weapon will be in harmony, like the dragon moving in nature.
2. The Spear can be used for Self Defence. If faced by violent thugs who, armed with some sort of weapon, are trying to mug or rob you, you can utilize any object close at hand – such as an umbrella, cane or other ordinary object – and use the Spear techniques to protect yourself from potential attacks.
3. The most important reason. Practising with the Spear will improve your self-confidence, enabling you to react swiftly and with precision in the face of a problem/challenge that would normally have left you in panic, make you lose your calm or freeze up in fear. In our everyday lives, this improved self-confidence can enable us to keep the larger view of the situation and make deliberate decisions.

The 8 forces of Tai Chi Spear - There are 8 basic ways of using trained force. These are:

1. Peng – a force directed upwards.
2. Lu – diversion to the side.
3. Ji – a force directed forwards.
4. An – a force directed downwards.
5. Tiao – to lift or stir, normally exposing the opponent’s body, head or limbs to attacks by coming up under his weapon.
6. Tan – to glance off, i.e. from the opponent’s weapon directly into a stab or slash while making him lose grip of or control of his weapon.
7. Qian – literally meaning to pull/tear, here to twist or envelope the spear making the opponent loose his balance or control of his weapon.
8. Dian – to dot or stab, focusing all force to one spot.

The Spear Form

1.  Tai Chi Spear Beginning style

2.  Facing Wing Blowing the willow

3.  The waves rising and falling

4. Obstruct the river to intercept the dipper

5.  Green dragon displaying its claws

6.  Giant python turning its head

7.  Golden dragon swinging its tail

8.  Giving the horse its head chasing enemies

9.  Black-eared kite flies and the fish leaps

10.  Golden cockerel nodding its head

11.  White rainbow soaring up to the sun

12.  Lying tiger diving dragon

13.  Plum blossom opens five petals

14.  Celestial horse walks the skies

15.  Tai Chi Spear completion style

Green Dragon Displaying its claws

Lying Tiger Diving Dragon