Tai Chi Glossary > Wudang (武当)

Wudang (武当)

Definition: Wudang (武当) refers to both Wudang Mountain (武当山) — a sacred Taoist site in Hubei Province, China — and the martial arts tradition associated with it, including Wudang Tai Chi, Wudang Sword, and Wudang Qigong.

According to legend, the Taoist monk Zhang Sanfeng (张三丰) created Tai Chi Chuan on Wudang Mountain after witnessing a fight between a snake and a crane. While historically debated, this legend cemented Wudang’s status as the spiritual home of Internal Martial Arts. Today, Wudang’s temples and monasteries continue to teach internal practices that blend Taoist philosophy, martial arts, and Qigong.

Key Characteristics

• Emphasis on Taoist internal alchemy and cultivation of Qi
• Wudang Sword (武当剑) is particularly famous — combining fluidity with precision
• Practices integrate meditation, breath work, and martial movement
• Distinct from the secular family styles ( Chen , Yang ) in its monastic, spiritual orientation