Tai Chi Glossary > Thirteen Postures (十三势)

Thirteen Postures (十三势)

Definition: The Thirteen Postures (十三势, Shi San Shi) are the core technical framework of Tai Chi Chuan, consisting of Eight Gates (Ba Fa) — the eight fundamental hand energies — and Five Steps (Wu Bu) — the five footwork patterns. Together, they form the complete vocabulary from which all Tai Chi techniques derive.

Eight Gates (八门)

Peng (掤, Ward Off), Lu (捋, Roll Back), Ji (挤, Press), An (按, Push), Cai (採, Pluck), Lie (挒, Split), Zhou (肘, Elbow), Kao (靠, Shoulder). These correspond to the eight directions of the Bagua.

Five Steps (五步)

Advance (进), Retreat (退), Gaze Left (左顾), Look Right (右盼), Central Equilibrium (中定). These correspond to the Five Elements.

The “Thirteen Postures” framework is referenced throughout the Tai Chi Classics and represents the integration of directional energy (hands) with spatial movement (feet) — the complete technical language of Tai Chi Chuan.