Zheng Manqing (1902–1975) was a legendary figure in modern Chinese history. Hailing from Yongjia (now Wenzhou), Zhejiang Province, he was a true polymath, proficient in poetry, calligraphy, painting, medicine, and martial arts earning him the title of “Master of Five Perfections.” He was not only a gifted artist but also the founder of Zhengzi Tai Chi Chuan, a unique school within the Tai Chi family, celebrated worldwide as “the literati’s boxing” or “the boxing of thought.”
A POLYMATH FROM LITERATURE TO MARTIAL ARTS
By his twenties, Zheng Manqing was the head of the Chinese Painting Department at the Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts and cofounded the China Academy of Arts and Literature with Huang Binhong. At 27, he began studying under Yang Chengfu, grandmaster of Yang-style Tai Chi Chuan. After treating his teacher’s wife with great care, he earned Yang Chengfu’s full transmission of Tai Chi knowledge, along with the compilation of the Complete Book of Tai Chi Chuan.
CREATION OF ZHENGZI TAI CHI CHUAN
In 1938, while serving as director of the Hunan Provincial Martial Arts Academy, Zheng simplified the traditional Yang-style old frame to create Zhengzi Simplified Tai Chi Chuan (a 37-form short frame). This system emphasizes a relaxed, elegant body, with signature techniques like the “Beauty Hand.” It was later formally recognized and named Zhengzi Tai Chi Chuan by esteemed figures including Wu Zhihui and Yu Youren.
A COMPLETE TRAINING SYSTEM
Zhengzi Tai Chi Chuan is more than just forms, it integrates I Ching philosophy, Taoist thought, traditional Chinese medicine, and modern anatomical principles.
1. Concise and Efficient Form
The 37-form sequence distills Tai Chi’s thirteen essential postures (Peng, Lu, Ji, An, Cai, Lie, Zhou, Kao, Jin, Tui, Gu, Pan, Ding) into a 7-minute practice, making it ideal for beginners to grasp Tai Chi’s yinyang dynamics quickly.
2. Beauty Hand & Sinking Power
The “Beauty Hand” requires fingers slightly curved, palms naturally arched, aiding smooth flow of qi and blood. Training emphasizes relaxation and sinking power, high stances may appear soft, but through total body relaxation, practitioners generate robust, grounded force.
3. The Philosophical Realm of Literati Boxing
Zheng Manqing infused his Tai Chi with classical learning, combining Yin-Yang theory, Taoist health concepts, and modern anatomy. His “three stages and nine levels” program offers a clear path for advancement, making practice a holistic cultural and physical experience.
GLOBAL INFLUENCE
In 1949, Zheng Manqing moved to Taiwan, founding the Shih Chung Tai Chi Society, and later established a branch in New York in 1964, even performing at the United Nations. His works, including Thirteen Chapters of Zhengzi Tai Chi, remain influential, with disciples around the world.
For registration and more information on Tai Chi lessons, please contact the Sports Department at sports@rsgc.com.my or +603-92063405.
