Chen Xin Taijiquan Classic Diagrams & Biomechanics

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Original Source: 《陳氏太極拳圖說》 (*Chen Shi Taijiquan Tushuo* / *Trần Thị Thái Cực Quyền Đồ Thuyết*), written by 8th-generation Chen master **Trần Hâm (Chen Xin, 1849–1929)**, first woodblock print 1933. This three-panel composition forms the core theoretical foundation for internal command transmission, circular whole-body harmony, and single-leg anatomical rooting.

Diagram 1 · 図一

Mind & Intent Transmitting Orders

Core Principle: The Mind is Commander-in-Chief. Intent (意) issues orders directly down the central axis to Dantian.

Pure Qi Ascends: Light energetic Qi flows upward to arms and fingertips for combat application (*Lu*, *Na*).

Turbid Qi Descends: Heavy ground Qi sinks to the soles to anchor the root (*Rooting*).

Diagram 2 · 図二

The Body as a Taiji Sphere

Spherical Harmony: The human frame in upright stance operates as an enclosed, self-balancing Taiji sphere without leaks or gaps.

Vertical Suspension: The crown (*Baihui*) feels suspended from above like a thread, naturally aligning the Ren and Du vessels.

Center of Mass: All bodily forces radiate outward from and collapse back into the Lower Dantian center.

Diagram 3 · 図三

Posture & Anatomical Rules

Single-Leg Stability: Chen Xin details 12 strict anatomical imperatives for standing on one leg (*Golden Rooster* / *White Crane*).

Rooting (Tả túc đương lực): The supporting leg bears 100% of body weight with knee bent slightly (20–30%), preventing joint collapse.

Omnidirectional Awareness: Eyes focus forward-down while ears actively listen backwards (*Nhĩ thính thân hậu*).

心意傳令圖 Mind and Intent Transmitting Orders

Click any highlighted component to inspect its traditional philosophy and martial application.

The Master Command Architecture (Tâm Ý Truyền Lệnh)

In Chen Xin's internal martial system, the human nervous-energetic axis is organized hierarchically like an imperial army command staff:

1. Tướng Quân Tâm (Heart General)

The Heart houses the conscious spirit (*Shen*). It does not move physically, but serves as Sovereign Commander.

2. Ý Truyền Lệnh (Intent Messenger)

Intent (*Yi*) is the transmission mechanism (neuro-fascial signal) relaying commands down the spine to Dantian.

Dantian as the Central Garrison (Trại Binh Mã)

Chen Xin specifically compares the Lower Dantian to an army encampment (*Như binh mã đồn xứ*). Qi gathers here in stillness and dispatches outward in movement. When Qi returns to Dantian (*Toàn thể chi khí quy túc xứ*), the whole body remains rooted and recharged.

Thanh Khí Thượng Thăng (Pure Qi Ascends)

Light, refined energetic intent ascends through shoulders, elbows, and wrists to the fingertips for martial sensitivity and release (*Lu*, *Na*, *Fa-jin*).

Trọc Khí Hạ Giáng (Turbid Qi Descends)

Heavy, grounding gravitational force drops through hips, knees, and ankles down into the heels and bubbling wells (*Yongquan*) for indestructible root.

Classical Chinese (Hán Tự)	Sino-Vietnamese (Hán-Việt)	English Meaning
將軍心	Tướng quân Tâm	The Heart / Mind as General
意傳令	Ý truyền lệnh	Intent transmits commands
清氣上升	Thanh khí thượng thăng	Pure / light Qi ascends upward
濁氣下降	Trọc khí hạ giáng	Turbid / dense Qi sinks downward
如兵馬屯處	Như binh mã đồn xứ	Like a military encampment
全體之氣歸宿處	Toàn thể chi khí quy túc xứ	The lodging / return sanctuary of whole-body Qi

Chen Xin: Illustrated Taijiquan Diagrams

Mind & Intent Transmitting Orders

Tâm Ý Truyền Lệnh Đồ

心意傳令圖 · Mind-Intent Command

The Body as a Taiji Sphere

Chu Thân Thái Cực Đồ

周身太極圖 · Whole-Body Taiji

Posture & Anatomical Rules

Thái Cực Quyền Thế Quy Củ

太極拳勢圖 · Posture Rule Rules

心意傳令圖 Mind and Intent Transmitting Orders

The Master Command Architecture (Tâm Ý Truyền Lệnh)

Dantian as the Central Garrison (Trại Binh Mã)

周身太極圖 Whole-Body Taiji Sphere

The Principle of Spherical Completeness (Toàn Thân Thái Cực)

1. No Bulges, No Hollows (Bất khuyết bất hàm)

2. Stillness is Wuji · Movement is Taiji

3. Alignment of the Central Channel

太極拳勢圖 — 12 Anatomical & Energetic Posture Rules of Chen Xin

Đỉnh Tinh Lĩnh Trụ (Head Suspended)

Nhĩ Thính Thân Hậu (Listen Behind)

Nhãn Khán Hữu Cước (Eyes on Right Foot)

Tả Trửu Khuất Trụ (Left Elbow Bent)

Kiên Tùng Hạ (Shoulders Sunk)

Hữu Quăng Thân Khai (Right Arm Open)

Tả Hữu Chưởng Triều Hạ (Palms Face Down)

Yêu Tỏa Hạ Khứ (Waist Sinks Down)

Tả Thoái Loan Bất Khả Nhuyễn (Left Leg Firm)

Hữu Cước Dữ Thoái Bình (Right Foot Level)

Tả Tất Khuất Nhị Tam Phân (Knee 20-30%)

Tả Túc Chu Thân Đương (100% Rooted)

"When moving it separates, when resting it unites"

Biomechanical Translation of Wang Zongyue's Classic Formula