Every posture in Tai Chi tells a story. Beyond their graceful shapes and martial applications, the forms carry centuries of symbolic meaning, drawn from nature, Chinese philosophy, and ancient wisdom. Movements such as White Crane Spreads Its Wings, Step Back to Repulse Monkey, or Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain are more than poetic names. They are metaphors, visualisations, and guiding images that enrich both mind and body. This article explores the deeper symbolism behind some of Tai Chi’s most iconic postures, offering insight into the philosophy that flows beneath the surface of the form. Of course, interpretations like these are just one of many ways to imagine their meaning. Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or just beginning your journey, discovering these symbolic layers can transform your practice into a moving meditation of profound meaning.
Here is a list of many of the postures found in the Beijing 24 Form, along with their possible symbolic meanings.
Beginning
At the start of the day the sun moves slowly higher and higher over the earth. This posture represents progress and the development of virtue.
Parting Wild Horse’s Mane
Trying to get near to a wild horse.
White Crane Spreads Wings
Signifies grace and beauty in movement. Picture a white wild waterbird flying on the outskirts of a forest lake, with one wing high (placed above the eye) and one wing low. It also symbolizes longevity, communication with divinity, and the concept of freedom to search for the "Tao".
Brush Knee and Twist Step
Means to work on what has spoiled and to remove the source of decay. Picture a person stepping forward and gently pushing (like the wind blowing through a willow tree) against a mountain.
Play Guitar (strum the lute, play the pipa)
It is a joyous activity to strum the ancient Chinese lute - an oval-shaped wooden stringed instrument called a pipa. The posture requires a firm stance as the foot is aroused, lightly touching the floor and ready to kick. Strumming the lute means to be without worldly desire and ambition, i.e. to enjoy nature. It signifies the use of the legs, arms, hands and fingers.
Step Back and Repulse Monkey
Monkey fairy, in Chinese mythology, represents human nature that is basically good, but easily yields to temptation. The monkey mind jumps about everywhere, uncontrolled and unfocused. The posture implies the gentle application of energy. Success lies in retreating because you refuse to use strength against strength. Retreat and then wait for the right time to counter-attack.
Grasp Sparrows Tail
The left hand is held at chin level as though grasping the head of the bird, the right hand placed to the side of the hip as though smoothing the bird's tail. The bird is a symbol of consciousness, air, spirit and breath.
Single Whip
Heaven and earth bring about revolution, and the cycle of the four seasons is complete. The body turns, with the arms still parallel, in a gentle flowing motion as a light wind. The fingers are pinched together to form the bird's beak.
Wave Hands Like Clouds
The hands pass across the belly, moving (waving) peacefully like clouds, floating by in the sky. There is no beginning, no ending. The image of difficulty at the beginning brings order out of the confusion. The position of the legs suggests a person mounted on a horse.
Strike Opponent's Ears with Both Fists
Tiger moves relate to taking control of yourself. The meaning of the posture is to bite through. There are two parallel fists that show the image of striking the ear or forehead. The person's neck is fastened in the wooden cangue (an ancient device for punishment, consisting of two pieces of wood that grip the neck, so that the ears disappear).
Snake Creeps Down
The posture suggests a snake creeping on the earth or in water. When you perform the movement, your body is lowered so that the belly is close to the knees. In the face of a superior enemy, with whom it would be hopeless to engage in battle, an orderly retreat is the only correct procedure, because it will save the army from defeat and disintegration. It is by no means a sign of courage or strength to insist upon engaging in a hopeless struggle regardless of circumstances. The purpose of this retreat is to be able to advance later with more success.
Golden Rooster Stands On One Leg
It is the symbol of perpetual renewal. During the posture "Snake Creeps Down" into the water you must let go of knowledge and learning. From the depths of water the "Golden Rooster' is born. This is an offensive movement. one leg is raised to strike with the knee and the other is planted firmly on the ground like a mountain. The hands are held above the leg.
Fair Lady Works at Shuttles (Jade Lady)
The Jade girl works at the shuttles, because she was a serving maid to the Taoist immortals. The Chinese believed that the world was square and that the heavens were held up by the four legs of the tortoise. Its legs represent the four points of the compass, like the four corners of the earth. This sequence is also connected with the theory of the Five Elements. The four corners of the earth are represented by four mythical animals. South-Red-Bird-Fire; East-Green-Dragon-Wood; West-White-Tiger-Metal; North-3lack~ Snake-Water. The Earth is in the center. The Fair Lady moves the wooden shuttle with smooth body turns, again and again like a water wheel. There are four turns - the number of seasons in the year. When used in self-defense, one hand blocks offensively. and the other hand pushes forward.
Needle at Sea Bottom
Indicates a lake, with unfathomable depths, rising above the trees. Waves pile upon one another. Implies a long straight golden-metal needle - a magic divining rod. When you pluck the needle from the bottom of the sea, it means a transformation of human destiny. You find source of creative inspiration and wisdom.
Fan Through the Back
A fan is the symbol of immortal age and is believed to be capable of reviving souls of the dead. The posture gives substance to the image of the hands, moving like a Chinese fan. A folding fan can be both small and great. Your hands move upward toward heaven. The movement may also be considered as shooting an arrow, meaning to bring creative work up to conscious level.
Turn, Parry and Punch
The posture evokes the image of a person turning, and delivering a sharp blow (fist) in a backward action to the opponent's head. The fist drops like rain.
Step Forward and Punch with Fist
Denotes trying to push down into unconscious, unpleasant sensations. The posture represents a fist and the genital area. Hence, the movement is to step forward and punch below the abdomen.
Apparent Closure and Push
Separate hands and push forward as if you were shutting a door.
Cross Hands
Signifies the sun sinking beneath the earth and marks the end of each section.
