Following on from the previous list of symbolic language of the Beijing 24, here is a list of movements found in Long Form and 42 Form
Press Forward
The hands, when pressed forward, represent the new moon waxing to the full. gut in the flow of nature, when the moon is full it begins to wane. Therefore, you separate the hands and rest backward (withdraw) -indicating the waning moon.
Push Forward
With the hands parallel to each other in front of the body, it is a symbol of strength outside and emptiness within. The act of pushing forward recalls the arc of the sun as it goes forward across the heavens.
Retreat Shoulder
The posture suggests a goat, or similar animal, becoming aroused like thunder and with much strength moving forward to butt a fence.
Step Forward, Deflect Downward, Parry and Punch
The posture flows like water and is soft. However, when the punch is released, it is like an arrow being shot from a drawn bow, powerful as thunder. The arrow is aimed at the heart.
Carry Tiger and Return to Mountain
The tiger stands for power and flow of energy. It is also a semi-mythical figure that guards burial graves, by frightening away evil spirits. Your lungs and respiration are important as the posture symbolizes the tiger being embraced (carried) and related (returned) to the mountain. The mountain is the place of worship, stillness and rest. You give your vital energy to the stillness, where it stays, until you are ready to start again.
Fist Under Elbow
Picture a tiger, with insatiable bravery, spying about with sharp eyes. The posture indicates a simultaneous arousing movement of feet, hands and fingers. What is suggested in the spirit of the form is the scrupulous attention to the movements of the opponent, as the combatant waits for an opening to strike a sudden (hidden) blow with the fist or foot.
Slanted Flying
A bird, flying low in a slanted position toward the sloping banks of a river, must continue its trajectory until it finds flat ground to land on, or it will drown. When the magic bird is standing on one leg and spreading out wings, it is asking for rain. The movement implies a blow to someone's ear or temple.
Hit Tiger
Denotes increase, gentleness, tiger, the temple and ribs area of the body. The hitting blows are delivered gently, one fist strikes the temple while the other strikes the ribs.
Step Forward to Seven Stars
Seven Stars stand for rebirth on a higher level. The polestars are a cluster of seven stars. The sun is the star of the solar system. The posture represents the sun at midday (two fists close to the middle of the chest), when it then begins to set.
Step Back to Ride Tiger
To ride the tiger means that you have achieved perfect control over self.
Turn Body and Sweep Lotus With Leg
Rising out of mire the Lotus flower unfolds all its petals as it slowly turns itself toward the west, and the setting sun. The whole body turns like a wheel. There is a shock as the kick is delivered to the midsection of the opponent's body. The kidney is known in the Taoist system as "the Devil's Country".
Bend Bow and Shoot Tiger
It is believed that everyone has two souls. The poor body soul which sinks to earth and becomes a Kuei or ghost being, and the Hun or spirit soul which becomes the Shen. The Shen will in time become one with the Tao. The movement has an image of shooting a tiger with a bow and arrow. The fist is pressed forward and aimed at the opponent's temple or ribs.
Conclusion
The lowering of the sun at the end of the day.
