The so-called "tip" refers to the top, but also refers to the end. For example, the tip of the hand refers to the tip of the hand, that is, the end of the hand; the tip of the nose, that is, the tip of the nose, that is, the end of the nose; the tip of the foot, that is, the tip of the foot, that is, the end of the foot.
What is the Three Tips? There are also many sayings of the sages. There are two most common: one is said: "Three-pointed, the tip of the hand, the tip of the nose, and the tip of the toe." One said: "The three-pointed one, the tip of the nose, the tip of the knee, and the tip of the toe." These two statements do not talk about who is right and who is wrong. The so-called learning of each family has its own strengths and gains.
What is the role of the "three tips" in tai chi? Let's talk about the Yang family's theory first. The Yang family has an important theory, which can also be said to be a strict requirement, that is, "three-pointed opposite". What is "three-pointed opposite"? Why "three-pointed opposite"?
For the convenience of understanding, we use the right single whip to illustrate:
The right single whip is the right foot forward arch, the center of gravity moves forward, the left toe is slightly buckled, into a right lunge, the right hand sinks the elbow, sits on the wrist, flips the palm, and presses out slightly forward with the palm edge, at this time, the tip of the right hand should be opposite to the tip of his nose, and at the same time he should be opposite to his right toe, which is called "three tips opposite".
If connected by a line, the tip of the nose, the tip of the hand and the tip of the foot are a triangle, and the tip of the hand is the central junction of the triangle, which must not be too high, nor too low, not forward, not backward.
Zheng Manqing said: "The triangle can actually constitute the basic form of the circle. "Tai Chi chuan has the most effect on the above circles, which contains immeasurable triangles. Its utility is the most pronounced, and it is imitated by the circle. Non-real for spheres also. It uses the defender, and takes the law to the circle. With its offensive force, there is no place for non-triangular, and there is no cent of non-triangular rotational offensive force. If you attack the enemy with it, it will be difficult to escape. ”
Another example is the right carrying hand made of a single whip, the body turns to the west, the left foot steps forward and steps forward, the right foot takes a half step forward and the foot follows the ground, while the hands are lifted from the waist, the hands are sinking elbows, and the left hand is behind and down, attached to the right elbow for about 20 centimeters. The right hand is in front, the upper to the tip of the nose, and the lower to the tip of the foot, which is also called "three-pointed opposite", and its effect is infinite. There are too many such examples to repeat.
The "Tai Chi Chuan Gong Xin Xie" says: "Standing in the body must be in the middle of the right and comfortable, supporting the eight sides." If he uses "three-pointed opposite" as his commentary, it is not impossible. Mr. Chen Weiming once said: "When practicing the frame at the beginning, the steps must be carried out, and the two legs are always curved, such as the left leg is straight, the right leg is curved, and the bent leg is based on the knee and the tip of the foot, forming a vertical line. This passage is said to be immediately followed by the standing body in the middle of the peace. He also said, "When the two palms are pressed, do not go too far to the knees, and if you pass the knees, you will lose its center of gravity." "The depth of Mr. Chen's high cultivation of skills can be seen here.