修行录 XiuXingLu · Free Reference Guide
Every Tai Chi movement is an expression of eight fundamental energies — the Eight Gates (八门, Bā Mén). In Chinese martial theory, these correspond to the eight trigrams of the Yijing (Book of Changes).
The eight gates mapped to the Bagua — each direction holds a different energy.
Péng · Direction: South ☰ · Element: Metal
Expanding, buoyant energy — outward and upward. Like a balloon inflating underwater, or a cork that cannot be pushed down. Not rigid resistance — elastic, springy, alive. Peng is the mother of all eight gates.
Lǚ · Direction: North ☷ · Element: Earth
Receiving incoming force and redirecting it past you — leading into emptiness. Not pulling — guiding momentum where it's already going, then a little further. "A force of four ounces deflects a thousand pounds."
Jǐ · Direction: West ☵ · Element: Water
Two forces converging into one — back hand presses into front wrist, both press forward as a unit. Focused, squeezing pressure. Like pressing juice from fruit. The counter to Lü.
Àn · Direction: East ☲ · Element: Fire
A wave-like push from the legs, through the waist, releasing through both palms. Not an arm shove — a full-body wave. Ground → legs → waist → palms. The counter to Ji.
Cǎi · Direction: Northwest ☴ · Trigram: Wind
Sharp downward plucking energy — like plucking a ripe peach. Quick, precise. Uses the opponent's momentum against them.
Liè · Direction: Southeast ☳ · Trigram: Thunder
Two forces in opposite directions simultaneously — like wringing a towel. Creates rotational torque that uproots.
Zhǒu · Direction: Northeast ☶ · Trigram: Mountain
Striking or controlling with the elbow. Close-range — for when the opponent has entered past your hands. Compact and powerful.
Kào · Direction: Southwest ☱ · Trigram: Lake
Using the torso to issue force. The closest-range technique. Force from the ground through the body — the body itself becomes the expression.
Month 1–3: Focus on Peng. Ask "Where is Peng in this posture?" in every practice.
Month 4–6: Add Lü. Learn to yield without stepping back.
Month 7–9: Add Ji and An. Now you have the complete four-gate cycle.
Beyond: The corner gates emerge naturally through practice.