The Aesthetic Interpretation on the Chinese Martial Art T’ai chi chu’uan

Abstract: T’ai chi chu’uan, a variety of the intangible heritage of martial art, is an embodiment of the whole awareness attuning body and mind. Moreover, its aesthetic features contain various connotations including the physical performance and corresponding psychological characteristics. The present article attempts to offer an aesthetic interpretation concerning the interpretation of “T’ai chi” concept and three aspects of its aesthetic charm: Stillness and movement, Moderation in the center, Being soft as water. A range of Chinese traditional cultural notions are applied in classifying the aesthetic features, with emphasis on the real significance and target of practicing T’ai chi chu’uan, following the way of nature and stressing the quality of peaceful life.

Keywords: T’ai chi chu’uan; martial art; aesthetics

*Corresponding author, Lingling Peng: School of Architecture & Fine Art, Dalian University of Technology, China; Philosophy Institute of Wuhan University, China. E-mail: 10023997@qq.com Qi Wang: School of Architecture & Fine Art, Dalian University of Technology, China. E-mail: com.wangqi@qq.com