太極劍起勢
TAIJI SWORD BEGINNING POSTURE
左手執劍。拇指中指無名指小指。握劍雲頭。食指下垂。貼劍柄。劍平面貼臂後面。劍尖朝上。右手下垂。身正立。向南。如太極拳初起勢。
Your left hand holds the sword: the thumb, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger grasp the sword hilt, while the forefinger hangs down, sticking to the sword handle. The plane of the sword touches the back of the forearm, the
sword tip pointing upward. Your right hand hangs down. Your body stands straight, oriented to the “south”. This posture is like the BEGINNING POSTURE in the boxing set.
三環套月
[1] THREE LOOPS AROUND THE MOON
右手揑劍訣。食中二指並直。無名指小指。屈於掌心。拇指屈按無名指頭節處。如太極拳之摟膝拗步。腰往下鬆。右手隨腰往後圓轉而上。轉由右耳邊指出。左手握劍。同時隨腰而上。由胸前往右。轉至左膝處。劍仍貼臂向後。左足同時往東邁一大步。腰隨手前進。左腿坐實。
Your right hand pinches to make a “swordsman’s hex”: the forefinger and middle finger are together in a line, the ring finger and little finger bend in to the center of the palm, and the thumb bends in and presses down the top knuckle of
the ring finger. This posture will be like BRUSH KNEE IN A CROSSED STANCE in the boxing set [See Posture 5 in Chen Weiming’s 1925 manual]. Your waist loosens downward, your right hand goes along with your waist by curving behind, then
up, then from beside your right ear to point out. At the same time, your left hand, grasping the sword, goes along with your waist by rising, then goes to the right from in front of your chest, curving to arrive at the area of your left
knee, the sword still touching the back of the forearm and pointing behind you. Your left foot at same time takes a large step to the east. Your waist goes along with your [right] hand’s forward advance, the weight shifting onto your
left leg.
左手握劍。直穿至右手上。右足同時前邁一小步。足尖點地。仍坐右腿。此式如太極拳之上步七星。
Your left hand, grasping the sword, threads straight over your right hand while your right foot takes a small step forward, toes touching down, the weight remaining on your right [left] leg. This posture is like STEP FORWARD WITH THE BIG
DIPPER in the boxing set
两手同時两邊分開。轉一圓規。復合於前面。左足同時前邁一大步坐實。此式如太極拳之雙風貫耳。
Your hands spread apart in unison to the sides, each making a circle to again come together in front. At the same time, your left foot takes a large step forward, and the weight shifts onto it. This posture is like DOUBLE WINDS THROUGH
THE EARS in the boxing set
大魁星
[2] LARGE KUIXING POSTURE
右手與左手相合。隨卽將劍轉換於右手。右手執劍。直面（劍刃向上下謂之直面）往下往後轉一大圓規。左手隨揑劍訣。隨右手在裏。同時轉一大圓規。眼神看劍尖。隨劍轉動。右手不停往後往上。將劍轉至頭上。仍是直面。劍尖向東。劍要極平。左手揑劍訣。轉至前面。兩指向上。坐實右腿。左腿提起。足尖向下。眼神亦轉向東看。此式如太極拳之金鷄獨立。
Your hands join for the sword to switch into your right hand. Your right hand, holding the sword vertically (meaning the sword edges are upward and downward), makes a large arc downward and to the rear, while your left hand now pinches
to make a swordsman’s hex and goes along to the inside of your right hand. At the same time, your gaze is looking toward the sword tip and following the sword’s movements. Your right hand does not pause, going to the rear and then
upward, sending the sword in an arc to arrive above your head, still a vertical blade. The sword tip is pointing to the east. The sword should be completely level. Your left hand, as a swordsman’s hex, is also arcing forward, the two
fingers pointing upward, and with the weight entirely on your right leg, your left leg lifts, toes downward, your gaze turning to look to the east. This posture is like GOLDEN ROOSTER STANDS ON ONE LEG in the boxing set [See Posture 56
in Chen Weiming’s 1925 manual]. [Kuixing is the god of scholars, usually depicted standing on one leg while pointing his writing brush over his head at the Big Dipper. This posture seems to be just a general mimicking of that image and
needs no strained interpretation.]
燕子抄水
[3] SWALLOW TAKES UP WATER
右手執劍。直面往西南砍去。隨轉向下。愈低愈好。掃地而起。轉為平面。（劍刃向左右謂之平面）劍尖向東南。畧朝上。眼神與腰亦隨之而轉。左手揑劍訣在裏。隨右手而轉至額上。左足同時向東北邁出坐實。步之距離。與太極拳之玉女穿梭相同。
Your right hand guides the sword as a vertical blade to the southwest with a chop. Then it goes along [with the movement of your waist] to arc downward, the lower the better, sweeping along the ground, and rises, turning to become a
horizontal blade (meaning the edges are to the left and right), the sword tip pointing to the southeast and slightly upward. Your gaze goes along with the movement of your waist, turning along with it. Your left hand, as a swordsman’s
hex, is inward and goes along with the arcing of your right hand to arrive above your forehead. Your left foot at the same time steps out to the northeast and the weight shifts onto it, the length of the step the same as in MAIDEN WORKS
THE SHUTTLE in the boxing set
右攔掃
[4] RIGHT BLOCKING SWEEP
右手執劍。往上往北斜面轉動。又向下轉。轉為平面。至與左肩平時。隨往東南平砍。劍仍平面。劍尖向東北。左手揑劍訣。隨右手轉動。距右手腕二三寸許。右足同時向東南邁出坐實。眼神與腰。亦隨劍轉動。此式如太極拳之玉女穿梭。
Your right hand guides the sword in an upward and northward arc with the blade diagonal, then arcs it downward, turning it so the blade is horizontal. Once it is level with your right shoulder, it then slashes across to the southeast,
the blade still horizontal, the tip pointing to the northeast. Your left hand, as a swordsman’s hex, goes along with the movement of your right hand, separated from your right wrist by about two or three inches. Your right foot at the
same time steps out to the southeast, and the weight shifts onto it. Your gaze and your waist also go along with the sword’s movement. This posture is like MAIDEN WORKS THE SHUTTLE in the boxing set.
左攔掃
[5] LEFT BLOCKING SWEEP
右手執劍。往南平面轉動。又畧向下轉。仍為平面。轉至與右肩平時。隨往東北平砍。劍仍平面。尖向東南。左手揑劍訣。隨右手轉動。距腕二三寸許。左足同時向東北邁出坐實。眼神與腰。亦隨劍轉動。此式如太極拳之玉女穿梭。
Your right hand guides the sword in a [slightly upward and] southward arc with the blade horizontal, then slightly arcs it downward, [turning it over] so the blade is again horizontal. Once it is level with your right shoulder, it then
slashes across to the northeast, the blade still horizontal, the tip pointing to the southeast. Your left hand, as a swordsman’s hex, goes along with the arcing movement of your right hand, separated from the wrist by about two or three
inches. Your left foot at the same time steps out to the northeast, and the weight shifts onto it. Your gaze and your waist also go along with the sword’s movement. This posture is again like MAIDEN WORKS THE SHUTTLE.
左右攔掃。或二次或四次均可。
The blocking sweeps to the left and right can be done either twice or four times.
小魁星
[6] SMALL KUIXING POSTURE
右手執劍。由平面轉為直面。往上往北又往下轉動。右足往東南邁。足尖向南。坐實右足。左足亦往東南邁出。足尖點地。右手提劍不停。由下而起。轉至頭上。劍仍直面。劍尖斜向下。亦向東南。左手揑劍訣。同時隨右手轉動。兩指向上。與大魁星同。
Your right hand turns the sword over from a horizontal blade to a vertical blade, and takes it in an arc upward to the north and then downward as your right foot steps to the southeast, toes pointing to the south, and the weight shifts
onto it. Your left foot steps out to the southeast, toes touching down, while your right hand lifts the sword, which has not paused, rising from below in an arc until above your head. The blade is still vertical, the tip pointing
diagonally downward and to the southeast. Your left hand, as a swordsman’s hex, has gone along with the movement of your right hand, the two fingers pointing upward. The posture is similar to the large version.
燕子入巢
[7] SWALLOW ENTERS ITS NEST
右手執劍。往下往後圓轉。右足用足尖。亦隨之往後。轉向西北。左足斜向西北前邁坐實。左手在裏。隨右手轉至後面時。卽放開。托右手背。兩手托劍。往西北平面刺出。此式如太極拳之指襠錘。
Your right hand directs the sword in an arc downward and behind. Your right foot goes along with the movement by turning toward the northwest on the ball of the foot, your left foot steps diagonally forward to the northwest, and the
weight shifts onto it. Your left hand is to the inside of your right hand and goes along with its arcing, then opens up once you are facing behind and props up the back of your right hand, and with both hands carrying the sword, stab
with a horizontal blade to the northwest. This posture is similar to PUNCH TO THE CROTCH in the boxing set
靈猫捕鼠蜻蜓點水
[8 & 9] QUICK CAT CATCHES THE MOUSE & DRAGONFLY SKIMS THE WATER
兩手托劍回收。右足提起。足尖斜向下。
Withdrawing the sword with both hands, your right foot lifts, the toes hanging down diagonally.
旋卽踢出。極力向西北邁去。左足騰起。向前一點。右足又往前一躍。右手之劍。同時向西北平面刺去。左手揑劍訣。轉至額上。右足坐實
Then [your right foot] kicks out and steps with energy to the northwest, your left foot jumps up, and right when it touches down forward, your right foot also hops forward. Your right hand stabs with the sword to the northwest as a
horizontal blade while your left hand pinches to make a swordsman’s hex and arcs to arrive above your forehead. The weight is on your right foot.
右手之劍刺出後。又畧收回。向前一點。此之謂蜻蜓點水。此式如太極長拳之右扇通臂。
After the sword stabs, slightly withdraw it and then tap it forward. This is called DRAGONFLY SKIMS THE WATER. This posture is like RIGHT FAN THROUGH THE ARMS in the Taiji Long Boxing set [Posture 67 in the movement descriptions for the
Long Boxing set].
黃蜂入洞
[10] WASP ENTERS THE HIVE
右足跟轉動。使足尖向南。右手執劍。隨腰轉向北。眼轉向西北看。左手屈抱。右足又用足尖旋轉一周。左足提起。亦旋轉一周。復往西北邁去。右手與左手。同時隨身旋轉一周。左手仍放開。托右手背。兩手托劍。往西北平面刺出。坐實左腿。
Your right foot pivots on the heel so the toes point to the south while your right hand guides the sword to go along with your waist, and you will spin around toward the north, your gaze turning [away momentarily to then return] to the
northwest. With your left hand bending in to take hold [under your right hand], your right foot pivots on the ball of the foot to spin all the way around, with your left foot lifted, which then steps again out to the northwest. Your
hands go along with the movement of your body spinning, your left hand again opening to prop up the back of your right hand, and with both hands carrying the sword, stab out with a horizontal blade to the northwest, shifting the weight
onto your left leg.
鳳凰雙展翅
[11] PHOENIX UNFURLS ITS WINGS
左手放開。轉至右手腕上相合。左手揑劍訣。手心向下。左足跟向北轉。右手與左手分開。右手之劍。平面向東南削去在上。左手向西北分開在下。左手心向下。右手心向上。右足亦向東南邁去坐實。此式如太極拳之斜飛式。
Your left hand comes away and arcs around to be above your right wrist while pinching to make a swordsman’s hex, the center of the hand downward, and your left foot pivots on the heel to the north. Your hands spread apart, your right
hand guiding the sword to do an inner-edge cut upward to the southeast with a horizontal blade, your left hand spreading away downward to the northwest, the center of your left hand downward and the center of your right hand upward,
while your right foot steps out to the southeast and the weight shifts onto it. This is like the DIAGONAL FLYING POSTURE in the boxing set
左旋風小魁星
[12 & 13] LEFT WHIRLWIND & SMALL KUIXING POSTURE
右手執劍。由平面轉為直面。往上往西北。又往下。隨腰轉動。坐實左腿。右足提起落下。足尖向南。坐實右足。左足往東南邁出。足尖點地。右手提劍不停。由下而起。轉至頭上。劍仍直面。劍尖斜向下。亦向東南。左手揑劍訣。同時隨右手轉動。兩指向上。
Your right hand turns the sword over from a horizontal to a vertical blade, and takes it in an arc upward to the northwest and then downward again, going along with the turning of your waist and the shifting of the weight onto your left
leg. Your right foot lifts and comes down with the toes pointing to the south, the weight shifts onto it, and your left foot steps to the southeast, toes touching down, while your right hand lifts the sword, which has not paused, rising
from below in an arc until above your head. The blade is still vertical, the tip pointing diagonally downward to the southeast. Your left hand, as a swordsman’s hex, has gone along with the movement of your right hand, the two fingers
pointing upward.
右旋風等魚式
[14 & 15] RIGHT WHIRLWIND & WAITING FOR A FISH
右手執劍。劍直面往下往後圓轉。左足往後退一步。右手之劍。往後又轉上。又轉向東南。劍仍直面。左手同時隨右手轉回。揑劍訣。離右手二寸許。右足同時退後一步。足尖點地。亦向東南。
Your right hand arcs the sword downward and behind as a vertical blade, your left foot taking a step back, and the sword arcs from behind to travel again upward and toward the southeast, still as a vertical blade. Your left hand, as a
swordsman’s hex, goes along with the arcing and turning over of your right hand, and is separated from your right hand by about two inches. Your right foot at the same time retreats, toes touching down and pointing to the southeast.
撥草尋蛇
[16] SPREAD THE GRASS TO FIND THE SNAKE
右手執劍。由直面隨腰往左略轉。漸變平面。又向右轉回。往南砍去。劍仍平面。劍尖向東。劍與手平。眼神與腰。亦隨之而轉。左手揑劍訣。隨右手轉動。距右手腕二三寸許。右足同時向東南邁出坐實。眼神與腰。亦隨劍轉動。此式如右攔掃。惟劍低平。劍尖向東。略不同耳。
Your right hand guides the sword by going along with your waist to arc slightly to the left, changing it gradually from vertical blade to horizontal blade, then arcs back to the right, slashing to the south with the blade again
horizontal, the tip pointing to the east, the sword level with your forearm. Your gaze and your waist go along with its movement. Your left hand, as a swordsman’s hex, goes along with your right hand, separated from your right wrist by
about two or three inches. Your right foot at the same time steps out to the southeast, and the weight shifts onto it. Your gaze and your waist go along with the sword’s movement. This posture is like RIGHT BLOCKING SWEEP, except the
sword is lower and the tip is pointing to the east, and so it is slightly different.
右手執劍。往右畧轉。又往左轉回。劍仍平面。往北砍去。劍尖向東。劍與手平。眼神與腰。亦隨之而轉。左手揑劍訣。隨右手轉動。距右手腕二三寸許。左手同時向東北邁出坐實。眼神與腰。亦隨劍轉動。此式如左攔掃。
Your right hand guides the sword to the right in a slight arc, [turns over,] then arcs back to the left, slashing to the north with the blade again horizontal, the tip pointing to the east, the sword level with your forearm. Your gaze
and your waist go along with its movement. Your left hand, as a swordsman’s hex, goes along with your right hand, separated from your right wrist by about two or three inches. Your left hand [foot] at the same time steps out to the
northeast, and the weight shifts onto it. Your gaze and your waist go along with the sword’s movement. This posture is similar to LEFT BLOCKING SWEEP [except the sword is lower and the tip is to the east].
撥草尋蛇。可作三次或五次。
These movements can be performed either three times or five times.
懷中抱月
[17] EMBRACE THE MOON
撥草尋蛇三次或五次。轉至右面時。左足向後（卽向西）退一步。右手之劍。往懷中裹回使手背向上者。變為手心向上。身隨劍收回之勢。坐實左腿。向下略低。右手執劍。近左脇處。劍平面。離身四寸許。劍尖向東。左手揑劍訣。亦隨右手收回。略在右手之上。眼神向東。
Having performed SPREAD THE GRASS TO FIND THE SNAKE three times or five times, and therefore finishing on the right side, your left foot steps back (to the west) as your right hand wraps the sword in toward your chest, turning over to go
from the back of the hand facing upward to the center of the hand being upward. Your torso goes along with the momentum of the sword’s withdraw and the weight shifts onto your left leg, slightly lowering. Your right hand guides the sword
near to your left ribs, the blade horizontal, about four inches away from your body, the tip pointing to the east. Your left hand, as a swordsman’s hex, goes along with your right hand’s withdraw to be slightly above your right hand.
Your gaze is to the east.
宿鳥投林
[18] BIRD GOES INTO THE FOREST TO ROOST
左足往前邁一步。（卽向東）身隨右足提起。右手執劍。往上剌去。（亦向東）左手亦隨右手向上。相距二寸許。左足提起。膝向西北。足心貼右腿。足尖向下。眼神隨劍尖往上看。
Your left [right] foot steps forward (to the east), your torso going along with it, and your right [left] foot lifts as your right hand guides the sword, stabbing out upward (also east), your left hand following your right hand upward,
separated from each other by about two inches. Your left foot is lifted with the knee pointing to the northwest, the sole near your right knee, toes downward. Your gaze follows the sword tip to look upward.
烏龍擺尾
[19] BLACK DRAGON SWINGS ITS TAIL
左足往後退一步。（卽向西退）身隨左足坐下。右手隨左足提回。如等魚式。足尖點地向東南。右手之劍抽回。由平面而變為直面。抽至右膝後。劍尖下垂。亦略向東南。左手揑劍訣。轉至額上。眼神下視劍尖
Your left foot steps back (to the west), your torso following and the weight shifting onto it, and your right hand [foot] follows the left foot by lifting and withdrawing as in WAITING FOR A FISH, the toes touching down pointed to the
southeast. [At the same time,] your right hand draws the sword back until behind your right knee, the blade changing from horizontal to vertical, the tip hanging down pointed slightly to the southeast, while your left hand, as a
swordsman’s hex, arcs to arrive above your forehead. Your gaze is downward toward the sword tip.
風捲荷葉
[20] WIND ROLLS UP THE LOTUS LEAVES
右足向西南退半步。右手之劍。隨右步退勢。由直面往外。又向裏裹。轉為平面。左足隨右足收回。略點一步。右手之劍。裹至脇下時。卽向東北刺去。左足亦同時往東北邁去。左手本在額上。由額上同時往外往下。轉至心口。又往上翻。仍至額上。左右手足。皆同時變動。不可有先後。
Your right foot retreats a half step to the southwest while your right hand goes along with the momentum and guides the sword from going outwards as a vertical blade to wrapping inward as a horizontal blade, and your left foot follows
your right foot by withdrawing to just barely touch down. Then once your right hand has wrapped the sword in to the point that it is below your ribs, it then stabs out to the northeast, your left foot also stepping out to the northeast.
At the same time, your left hand, having started above your forehead, has gone outward and downward, arcing in to reach your solar plexus [in tandem with your feet stepping back and your right hand wrapping in], then returning upward
until it is again above your forehead [when your left foot and right hand go forward]. Both of your hands and feet make their movements simultaneously and must not get ahead or behind of one another.
獅子搖頭
[21] LION SHAKES ITS HEAD
左足尖轉向東南。右手之劍。由手心向上。往脇內轉至手心向下。劍尖本向東北者。轉至劍尖向西北。右手之劍。往南往西轉動。右足隨右手轉身。往西北邁去。右手之劍。同時往北砍。劍尖向西。右手心仍向下。身向東北者。此時已轉向正西。左手亦隨右手轉動。揑劍訣。距右手二三寸許。
Your left foot turns to point the toes to the southeast. Your right hand guides the sword toward your ribs, turning over so the center of the hand is changed from facing upward to facing downward, and the sword tip that had been pointing
to the northeast arcs around until it is pointing to the northwest, your right hand guiding the sword in an arc toward the south and then toward the west. Your right foot goes along with your right hand and the turning of your torso to
step out to the northwest as your right hand guides the sword in a slash to the north, the tip pointing to the west, the center of the hand still facing downward. Your torso was facing to the northeast and has now been turned to face
directly west. Your left hand, as a swordsman’s hex, goes along with your right hand’s movement, and is separated from your right hand by about two or three inches.
右手之劍。手心向下者。往右略轉動。又往左轉回。轉至手心向上。劍仍平面。往南砍去。劍尖向西。劍與手平。眼神與腰。亦隨之而轉。左手揑劍訣。隨右手轉動。距右手腕二三寸許。左足同時略向後退半步坐實。此式如太極拳之倒輦猴。惟步略開耳。
Your right hand guides the sword, the center of the hand downward, in a slight arc to the right, then arcing back to the left, turning over so the center of the hand is upward, and with the blade still horizontal, slashes out to the
south, the tip pointing to the west, the sword level with your forearm. Your gaze and your waist go along with the movement, and your left hand, as a swordsman’s hex, goes along with your right hand’s arcing movement, separated from your
right wrist by about two or three inches. Your left foot at the same time slightly retreats, stepping back a half step, and the weight shifts onto it. This posture is like RETREAT, DRIVING AWAY THE MONKEY in the boxing set , except here the step is slightly wider.
右手之劍。手心向上者。往左略轉動。又往右轉回。轉至手心向下。劍仍平面。往北砍去。劍尖仍向西。劍與手平。眼神與腰。亦隨之轉。左手同前。右足同時向後退一步坐實。此式如太極拳之倒輦猴。
Your right hand guides the sword, the center of the hand upward, in a slight arc to the left, then arcing back to the left, turning over so the center of the hand is downward, and with the blade still horizontal, slashes out to the
north, the tip pointing to the west, the sword level with your forearm. Your gaze and your waist go along with the movement, and your left hand is as before. Your right foot at the same takes a step back, and the weight shifts onto it.
This posture is again like RETREAT, DRIVING AWAY THE MONKEY in the boxing set.
或退四步。或退六步。退至右足在後而止。
Whether you retreat four steps or six steps, your right foot must be behind on the last one.
虎抱頭
[22] TIGER HIDES ITS HEAD
右足退後時。兩手向左右分開。又向內合。右手心向下者。向內合時。轉至手心向上。右手之劍。轉至胸前停住。左手在下。托右手背。左足坐實不動。右足提前。足尖點地。身仍向西。
After your right foot steps back [the final time], both hands separate to the sides, then come inward to join together. The center of your right hand is downward [when going to the side], then when it moves inward, it turns so the center
of the hand is upward. Your right hand arcs the sword until in front of your chest and pauses there, your left hand going underneath to prop up the back of your right hand, while the weight shifts onto your left foot, which stays where
it is, and your right foot lifts and goes forward, toes touching down. Your torso is still facing to the west.
野馬跳澗
[23] WILD HORSE JUMPS THE STREAM
兩手托劍回收。右足提起。往西躍刺。與靈猫捕鼠步相同。惟略往高躍耳。刺出時。兩手仍托劍。
Withdrawing the sword with both hands, your right foot lifts. Leap and stab to the west. It is the same footwork as in QUICK CAT CATCHES THE MOUSE, except a slightly higher jump. When you stab, it is with both hands carrying the sword.
翻身勒馬
[24] TURN AROUND, REIN IN THE HORSE
兩手托劍。劍平面往上起。由頭上轉過。身向西者。由右往左轉。使面向東。右足跟轉。坐實右足。左足提回。足尖點地向東。兩手所托之劍。同時由頭上平面落下回收。如第二十三圖。
With both hands carrying the sword, the sword raises up with the blade horizontal and passes over your head as your body, which was facing to the west, turns from right to left, until facing east, your right foot pivoting on the heel.
With the weight on your right foot, your left foot lifts and draws back, toes touching down and pointing to the east, while with both hands carrying the sword, the sword comes down from passing over your head and draws back.
上步指南針
[25] STEP FORWARD, POINT LIKE A COMPASS NEEDLE
左足向前進一步。右足隨上。與左足並齊。兩手托劍。向前刺出。面仍向東。
Your left foot takes a step forward, and your right foot follows forward to stand next to it as you stab forward with both hands carrying the sword. You are still facing east.
迎風拂塵
[26] BRUSHING OFF DUST AGAINST THE WIND
右手之劍。向右轉動。腰亦隨轉。又往左轉回。劍平面往北砍去。左足前進。與左右攔掃相同。惟劍略高耳。或三次。或五次。
Your right hand guides the sword in an arc to the right, [turning it over,] your waist going along with the movement, then turns again to the left, [again turning it over,] and slashing across with a horizontal blade to the north as your
left foot steps forward. It is the same as LEFT & RIGHT BLOCKING SWEEPS, except the sword is slightly higher. You can do this either three times or five times.
順水推舟
[27] GOING WITH THE CURRENT TO PUSH THE BOAT
迎風拂塵。轉至左足在前時。右足往後退一步。左足隨之後退。足尖點地。右手之劍。同時由斜平面。而轉為直面。劍刃往下往後。轉一大圓規。左手揑劍訣。隨右手在裏。同時轉一圓規。眼神看劍尖。隨劍轉動。右手不停。往後往上。將劍轉至頭上。仍是直面。劍尖略向東北刺去。左足同時往東北邁一大步坐實。足尖亦向東北。左手揑劍訣。轉至前面。兩指向上。眼神亦隨劍尖往前看。此式如太極拳之扇通臂。
Having performed BRUSHING OFF DUST AGAINST THE WIND [three times or five times], and therefore finishing on the left side, your right foot takes a step back. Your left foot follows and retreats, toes touching down, while your right hand
turns the sword from a diagonally horizontal blade to a vertical blade, the [outer] edge going downward and to the rear, and arcs in a large circle. Your left hand, as a swordsman’s hex, follows along to the inside of your right hand,
making the circle along with it. Your gaze is toward the sword tip, following the sword’s movements. Your right hand does not pause, but goes to the rear and upward, sending the sword in an arc until above your head, still as a vertical
blade, and the tip stabs out slightly to the northeast. Your left foot at the same time takes a step to the northeast, and the weight shifts onto it, the toes pointing to the northeast, while your left hand arcs until in front, the two
fingers pointing upward. Your gaze follows the sword tip to be looking forward. This posture is like FAN THROUGH THE ARMS in the boxing set
流星趕月
[28] METEOR CHASES THE MOON
左足跟往南轉。使足尖向東南。右足同時往西北邁去。右手執劍。由頭上往西北砍去。左手同時亦分開向東南。
Your left foot pivots on the heel toward the south until the toes are pointing to the southeast. While your right foot then steps out to the northwest, your right hand guides the sword over your head in a chop to the northwest, your left
hand spreading away to the southeast.
天馬行空
[29] SPIRIT HORSE FLIES THROUGH THE SKY
右手執劍。手心向南。由下往北轉上。左足往南邁一步。身卽向南。劍同時不停。由後面從頭上往南下砍。左手同時與右手相合。以手心扶右手腕上。左足亦同時往南邁一大步。足尖點地向南。眼神向南看。
Your right hand guides the sword, the center of the hand [in the previous posture] facing south [southwest], to arc from below to the north and upward. Your left foot takes a step to the south, which turns your torso to the south, and
the sword, which has not paused, goes from behind, over your head, and chops downward to the south. At the same time, your left hand joins with your right hand, the palm assisting on top of your right wrist, as your left [right] foot
takes a large step to the south, toes touching down and pointing south, your gaze to the south.
挑簾式
[30] RAISING THE CURTAIN
右足提起落下。足尖與左足跟相對。成八字形。相離五寸許。使足尖向西北。右手將劍提起至頭上。左手仍扶右手腕。劍尖斜向下。左足同時提起。足尖向下。
Your right foot lifts and comes down so the toes are forming a V shape with your left heel, about five inches from each other, the toes pointing to the northwest. [In other words, your feet are effectively in ballet’s 4th position, the V
pointing to your left.] Your right hand lifts the sword up to arrive above your head, your left hand still assisting your right wrist, the sword tip pointing diagonally downward, while your left foot lifts, toes downward.
左右車輪劍
[31] LEFT & RIGHT WHEELING SWORD
左足落下。與右足成八字形。使足尖向西南。右手執劍。隨腰往東轉。由下而上。轉一大圓規。眼神隨劍尖轉動。右足同時往西邁一大步。劍由上往西砍去。左手同時與右手兩邊分開向東。眼神隨劍往西看。此式與流星趕月相同。惟方向不同耳。
Your left foot comes down to make a V shape with your right foot so the toes are pointing to the southwest. [This time your feet are in more of a 1st position, the V now pointing behind you.] Your right hand guides the sword, going along
with the turning of your waist to the east, and goes [below from above then] above from below, making a large circle, your gaze following the movement of the sword tip. The right foot at the same time takes a large step to the west and
the sword chops from above to the west, your left hand spreading away to the east, your gaze following the sword to be looking to the west. This posture is the same as METEOR CHASES THE MOON, except the direction is different.
右手執劍。手心向東。由下往東而上。轉一大圓規。右足往西邁一大步。身卽向西。劍同時不停。由後面從頭上往西下砍。左手同時與右手相合。以手心扶右手腕上。左足亦同時往西邁一大步。足尖點地向西。眼神向西看。此式與天馬行空相同。惟方向不同耳。參觀第二十七圖。
Your right hand guiding the sword, the center of the hand [in the previous posture] facing east [south], goes from below to the east and upward, arcing in a large circle. Your right [left] foot takes a large step to the west, which turns
your torso to the west, and the sword, which has not paused, goes from behind, over your head, and chops downward to the west. At the same time, your left hand joins with your right hand, the palm assisting on top of your right wrist, as
your left [right] foot takes a large step to the west, toes touching down and pointing west, your gaze to the west. This posture is the same as SPIRIT HORSE FLIES THROUGH THE SKY, except the direction is different.
大鵬單展翅
[32] RUKH UNFURLS A WING
右手執劍。往左略轉。轉至手心向上。左手轉至右手腕上面相合。手心向下。左足跟往北轉。使足尖略向東北。右足往東北邁去。右手之劍。由下漸漸而上。往東北平面削去。左手隨右手轉至胸前。手揑劍訣向北。眼神亦向北看。
Your right hand guides the sword, slightly turning it to the left until the center of the hand is upward, and your left hand arcs around to be above your right wrist with the center of the hand downward. Your left foot pivoting on the
heel toward the north until the toes point slightly to the northeast, your right foot steps out to the northeast, and your right hand guides the sword gradually upward from below, doing an inner-edge cut to the northeast with a
horizontal blade. Your left hand goes along with your right hand’s arc to arrive in front of your chest, the swordsman’s hex pointing north [northeast], and your gaze is to the north [northeast].
海底撈月
[33] TRYING TO SCOOP THE MOON’S REFLECTION FROM THE WATER
右手之劍。復往右轉。略往下沈。使劍尖朝上。左手揑劍訣。亦隨之轉。在右手肘裏灣略停。劍由直面。往外又向裏裹。轉為平面。左足提起落下。使足尖向西南。右手執劍。裹至脇下時。卽向正西剌去。右足同時往西邁去。足尖向西。左手同時轉至額上。
Your right hand guides the sword in an arc still farther to the right, and slightly sinks downward, making the tip point upward. Your left hand, as a swordsman’s hex, goes along with the movement and comes to a slight halt inside the
bend of your right elbow. The sword goes from moving outward as a vertical blade to wrapping inward as a horizontal blade while your left foot lifts and comes down again with the toes pointing to the southwest. Once your right hand has
wrapped the sword in below your ribs, it then stabs straight out to the west, your right foot at the same time steps out to the west, toes pointing to the west, your left hand arcing away to arrive above your forehead.
懷中抱月
[34] EMBRACE THE MOON
夜叉探海
[35] NIGHT DEMON SEARCHES THE SEA
右足往西邁。身隨右足往前。劍往西往下刺去。左手亦隨右手而下。相離二寸許。左足提起。眼神隨劍尖往下看。
Your right foot steps to the west, your torso going forward along with it, and the sword stabs out downward to the west, your left hand following your right hand downward, separated from each other by about two inches by the time your
left foot is lifted. Your gaze follows the sword tip to look downward.
犀牛望月
[36] RHINO GAZES AT THE MOON
左足往東橫邁一步。左手由下往東往上。轉一大圓規。右手之劍。由下提起。由西往東收回。在胸前。劍由平面而轉為直面。劍尖仍向西。左手同時轉至右手內相合。仍揑劍訣。左腿坐實。眼神仍向西看。此式如太極拳之披身伏虎。
Your left foot steps sideways to the east as your left hand goes from below, arcing in a large circle upward to the east, and your right hand guides the sword to lift from below, withdrawing from the west to the east to be in front of
your chest. The sword is turned from horizontal blade to vertical and the tip is still pointing to the west. Your left hand at the same time, still formed into a swordsman’s hex, arcs until to the inside of your right hand. The weight is
on your left leg. Your gaze is still to the west. This posture is like DRAPE THE BODY, FIGHTING TIGER POSTURE in the boxing set
射雁式
[37] SHOOT THE GOOSE
右足不動。右手之劍抽回。抽至右膝後。劍尖向下向東南。左足同時隨右足提回。足尖點地。亦向東南。左手同時提起在胸前。眼神及左手指。均向東南。
Your right foot not leaving its location, your right hand guides the sword to draw in until behind your right knee, the tip pointing downward to the southeast. Your left foot at the same time lifts and withdraws toward your right foot,
toes touching down and pointing to the southeast, while your left hand lifts in front of your chest, pointing along with your gaze to the southeast.
白猿獻果
[38] WHITE APE OFFERS FRUIT
左足向東南前進一步。右足同時前進。與左足並齊。右手之劍。由直面變為平面。向東南上刺。左手心托右手背。身直立。眼神仍向東南。此式與指南針相同。惟劍略高耳。
Your left foot steps forward to the southeast and your right foot follows forward to stand next to it as your right hand guides the sword from vertical blade to horizontal in an upward stab to the southeast, your left palm propping up
the back of your right hand. Your body is standing straight. Your gaze is still to the southeast. This posture is the same as COMPASS NEEDLE, except the sword is slightly higher.
鳳凰雙展翅
[39] PHOENIX UNFURLS ITS WINGS
此式變法如前。惟右步往西北邁。劍由西北削去。兩手分開。
This posture is different from before merely in that your right foot steps to the northwest and the sword does an inner-edge cut from the northwest [southeast] as your hands spread apart.
左右跨攔
[40] LEFT & RIGHT STRIDING BLOCKS
右足往南。橫邁一步。左足隨右足。亦往南橫邁一大步。右手之劍。由西北往南收回。橫在胸前。手心向上。劍仍為平面。劍尖向北。左手扶右手腕。
Your right foot takes a sideways step to the south, and your left foot follows it to also take a large sideways step to the south while your right hand withdraws the sword from the northwest to the south, crosswise in front of your
chest, the center of the hand upward. The blade is still horizontal and the tip is pointing to the north. Your left hand assists at your right wrist.
左足往北橫邁一步。右足隨左足。往北橫邁一大步。右手之劍。往左略轉。隨腰隨步。往北轉換。使手心向上者。變為手心向下。劍尖向北者。變為劍尖向南。橫在胸前。劍仍平面。左手扶右手腕背
Your left foot takes a sideways step to the north, and your right foot follows it to also take a large sideways step to the north, your right hand guiding the sword to the left in a slight arc and then going along with your waist and
step to turn it over and move it toward the north. The center of the hand was facing upward and is now downward, and the sword tip was pointing to the north and is now to the south. The sword is crosswise in front of your chest, again as
a horizontal blade. Your left hand assists at the back of your right wrist.
射雁式向西北。變法如前。
[41] SHOOT THE GOOSE (performed as before, but to the northwest)
白猿獻果向正西。變法如前。
[42] WHITE APE OFFERS FRUIT (performed as before, but to the west)
左右落花
[43] LEFT & RIGHT FALLING PETALS
右手之劍。由左略轉。右足往後退一步。劍亦隨右足。向北往右砍。手心向上者。變為向下。左足復往後退一步。劍亦隨左足向南往左砍。手心復變為向上。一切均如左右獅子搖頭。惟劍略低耳。
Your right hand guides the sword from the left in a slight arc. Your right foot retreats a step, the sword going along with your right foot by slashing to the right and to the north. The palm was upward and changes to be downward. Your
left foot then retreats a step, the sword going along with your left foot by slashing to the left and to the south, the center of the hand turning over to face upward as before. Everything is like LION SHAKES ITS HEAD, except the sword
is slightly lower.
玉女穿梭白虎攪尾
[44 & 45] MAIDEN WORKS THE SHUTTLE & WHITE TIGER TWITCHES ITS TAIL
退至右足在後時。兩手分開如前。將左足提起轉向南。邁一大步。兩手旋相合。往南剌去。左手心托右手腕背。
After your right foot steps back [the final time], both hands separate to the sides as before [as in TIGER HIDES ITS HEAD]. Lift your left foot, turn it toward the south, and take a large step as both hands turn and join to stab out to
the south, your left palm propping up the back of your right wrist.
右手與左手相合。左手在上。手心向下。右手執劍在下。手心向上。左足跟往西轉。足尖向西。右手之劍。由南往北。平面削去。轉至北時。劍往上轉。使劍尖向上直立。劍平面向西。左手揑劍訣在胸前。右足略提起。往北移半步。足尖向西北。如大鵬單展翅。眼神向西看。
Your hands come together as left hand above, the center of the hand downward, and right hand holding the sword below, the center of the hand upward. Your left foot pivots on the heel toward the west to point the toes to the west. Your
right hand guides the sword from south to north, doing an inner-edge cut with a horizontal blade. Once it has arced to the north [northwest], the sword arcs upward to make the tip rise up to stand straight. The blade is facing to the
west horizontally [i.e. edges to west and east] and your left hand, pinched to make a swordsman’s hex, is in front of your chest. At the same time, your right foot slightly lifts and shifts a half step to the north [northwest], the toes
pointing to the northwest. It is similar to RUKH UNFURLS A WING. Your gaze is to the west [northwest].
鯉魚跳龍門
[46 & 47] CARP LEAPS THE DRAGON GATE
兩手復相合。如虎抱頭式。復向西躍去如野馬跳澗。
Both hands again join together as in TIGER HIDES ITS HEAD [as your left foot turns to point southwest and your right foot withdraws to be pointing west]. You then leap again to the west as in WILD HORSE JUMPS THE STREAM.
烏龍絞柱
[48] BLACK DRAGON COILS AROUND THE PILLAR
右手執劍。由平面向上。漸變為直面。向上向東。隨腰轉一大圓規。往東砍。左手隨轉至胸前。
Your right hand guides the sword, moving it upward and to the east, gradually changing it from a horizontal blade to a vertical blade, going along with the turning of your waist by arcing in a large circle and chopping to the east. Your
left hand goes along with the movement to arrive in front of your chest.
劍不停。由東復轉下。往西撩上。右足提起落下。使足尖向西北。身隨腰轉。劍不停。復由西往上往東砍。
The sword does not pause, but arcs downward from the east and raises upward to the west as your right foot lifts and comes down with the toes pointing to the northwest. Your torso goes along with the movement, your waist turning around,
and the sword without pausing now goes from the west and upward, chopping to the east.
劍仍不停。轉至中間。復由外向脇裏裹。劍變為平面。左足同時提起往西邁一步。右足隨提起向西邁一大步。劍亦隨右步。向西剌去。左手分開。提起在額上。劍共轉兩輪。眼神亦隨之而轉。此式剌出。如靈猫捕鼠。惟中間轉動不同。
The sword still does not pause, but arcs until centered, returning from outward to wrap inward toward your ribs, the blade becoming horizontal. Your left foot at the same time lifts and takes a step to the west. Your right foot then
lifts and takes a large step to the west, the sword going along with your right step by stabbing out to the west, your left hand spreading away and lifting up above your forehead. The sword wheels a total of twice, your gaze going along
with the arcing. This posture’s stabbing out is like QUICK CAT CATCHES THE MOUSE, except the transitional movement in between is not the same.
仙人指路
[49] IMMORTAL POINTS THE WAY
左足往東橫邁一步。以後動作。均如犀牛望月。惟右手之劍。由上收回。落在胸前。劍尖向上直立。平面向外。
Your left foot steps sideways to the east, and the rest of the movement is all the same as in RHINO GAZES AT THE MOON, except your right hand guides the sword to withdraw from above and comes downward to be in front of your chest with
the tip pointing straight upward, the blade horizontal to the outside [i.e. edges to the left and right].
風掃梅花虎抱頭
[50 & 51] WIND SWEEPS THE PLUM FLOWERS & TIGER HIDES ITS HEAD
右手之劍直立者。復轉為平面。在左脇下。劍尖略向東。手心向下。左手在上。與右手相合。右足提起落下。使足尖向西北。左足提起。往北復往東。轉一大圓規。如太極拳之轉脚擺蓮。轉至面仍向南時。兩手分開復相合。右足在前點地。如虎抱頭式。
Your right hand guides the sword in an arc from standing straight up to the blade being horizontal below your left ribs, the tip pointing slightly to the east, the center of the hand downward, your hands coming together, left hand above.
Your right foot lifts and comes down with the toes pointing to the northwest, and your left foot lifts and goes to the north and to the east, turning you around in a full circle, as in SPIN AROUND ON THE FOOT, SWINGING LOTUS KICK in the
boxing set. When the turn returns you to facing south, both hands spread to the sides then come back together, your right foot touching down in front, so that you are again performing TIGER
HIDES ITS HEAD.
指南針抱劍歸原
[52 & 53] COMPASS NEEDLE & EMBRACE THE SWORD AND RETURN TO THE ORIGINAL POSITION
右足前進。左足隨之前進並立。兩手抱劍前剌。如指南針。右手之劍。交於左手。左手大指食指尖向下。三指尖向上握劍柄。手心向外。劍平面貼臂前直立。左手執劍。將劍轉至後面。如起勢歸原。
Your right foot steps forward, and your left foot follows forward to stand next to it while you stab forward with both hands carrying the sword, as in the COMPASS NEEDLE posture. Your right hand switches the sword to your left hand, and
your left arm lowers. Your left thumb and forefinger are below, your other three fingers wrapped upward around the handle, the center of the hand facing outward [i.e. forward], and the sword stands straight, as a horizontal blade, the
plane touching the front of your forearm. Your left hand then guides the sword, turning it over to be behind you, [as your right hand hangs down,] and you are now posed as in the BEGINNING POSTURE, returned to the manner in which
started.