tai(4)
This character means greatest,
supreme. It's origins are from the radicalmeans big, great, and is a pictograph of a man with outstretched
arms and a dot that has been added for emphasis.
ji(2)
This character means utmost point, extreme, ultimate.
This character is composed of parts or radicals. The left hand part = wood.
The more complicated right side shows a mouth
and hands
with a man standing between
the two lines, heaven and earth
. This right
hand part of the character implies struggling, The idea of urgent, anxious
is contained.
The character can mean ridgepole, pole, utmost extreme.
tai(4) ji(2) when used together has been translated
as "the supreme ultimate." The idea of the "greatest
extremes" has deep meaning. The symbol which is usually called the
yin-yang is actually called the TaiJi.
This familiar symbol contains light and dark, the greatest extremes.
quan(2) means
fist.
The lower part of this character is picture of a hand . The upper part
also is a hand with
clawmarks and means roll. Together the meaning of fist is apparent.
tai(4)ji(2)quan(2)
is the Chinese name for the exercise known to many as Tai
Chi. The characters have meaning in the practice. The practice of TaiJi
Quan is the experience of the TaiJi as a martial art and source of internal
power (derived through the interactions depicted in the TaiJi symbol.)