Yang style Tai Chi 108 form (long form) in Chinese, English & German (incl. PDF)
One of the most-known forms is probably the Yang style Tai Chi 108 form. And to make it confusing for us pracitioners, it has many names: Tai Chi 108 form, 105 form, 103 form, 85 form, 150 form 94 form, 88 form or just: Tai Chi long form.
The number actually depends on how you count the different moves. My current teacher counts the Yin-Yang-phases and says that there are 169 phases! So I guess one could call the long Yang form the 169 form, if he wanted to. Or if you count repeated movemens just once (e.g. “repulse monkey”), you end up with a lower movement count.
Traditionally, the long Yang style long form is called the 108 form because of the meaning of the number 108. It is considered a special, even sacred number in Buddhism and other tradtions.
However, the good thing is, that even if counting differs, the moves and the order of the Tai Chi moves remain pretty much the same. If you meet someone who does the Yang style long form (even if she/he calls it Tai Chi 108 form or 103 form or any other number), you can run the form together.
There will surely be some difference in HOW EACH MOVE is done. I talk about my experience with that here. And names might differ slightly, too. At least the translation might be slightly different. That can be confusing for Tai Chi beginners.
But even with all those differences, what we can all agree on is that the form LONG. That’s common ground for all Yang stylists. Because to complete it, it takes around 20-30 minutes.
Now I will give you a list of the moves of the Tai Chi 108 form. I decided to go for 108 Tai Chi movements, because that is how my first teacher called the form (yes, I am a bit nostalgic here). It actually wasn’t that easy to go for EXACTLY 108 moves, because my notes as well as the information all over the internet differ. But I managed to get to 108 Tai Chi moves!
And if your teacher says the names slightly different, don’t worry. That just happens when people all over the world do Tai Chi movements for centuries – things change slightly!
Yang style Tai Chi 108 form (part 1)
1
起式
Qi Shi
Beginning
Eröffnung, Beginn
2
左掤
Zuo Peng
Ward-off (Left)
Block links
3
拦雀尾
Lan Que Wei
Grasp the sparrow’s tail
Den Vogel am Schwanz fassen
4
单鞭
Dan Bian
Single whip
Einfache Peitsche
5
提手上势
Ti Shou Shang Shi
Step up to raise hands (also Raise Hands and Step Forward)
Die Hände heben
6
白鹤凉翅
Bai He Liang Chi
White Crane spreads its wings
Der weiße Kranich breitet seine Flügel aus
7
左搂膝拗步
Zuo Lou Xi Ao Bu
Brush left knee and push
Knie streifen links
8
手挥琵琶
Shou Hui Pi Pa
Hand strums the lute (play the pipa)
Pipa spielen
9
左搂膝拗步
Zuo Lou Xi Ao Bu
Brush left knee and push
Knie streifen links
10
右搂膝拗步
You Lou Xi Ao Bu
Brush right knee push
Knie streifen rechts
11
左搂膝拗步
Zuo Lou Xi Ao Bu
Brush left knee push
Knie streifen links
12
手挥琵琶
Shou Hui Pi Pa
Hand strums the lute (pipa)
Pipa spielen
13
左搂膝拗步
Zuo Lou Xi Ao Bu
Brush left knee push (left)
Knie streifen links
14
进步搬拦捶
Jin Bu Ban Lan Chui
Twist, deflect, step, parry and punch (also Step Forward, Parry Block and Punch)
Schritt vor, abwehren und schlagen (Fauststoß)
15
如封似闭
Ru Feng Si Bi
Apparent close up
Arme streifen und stoßen
16
十字手
Shi Zi Shou
Cross hands
Hände kreuzen
Yang style Tai Chi 108 form (part 2)
17
抱虎归山
Bao Hu Gui Shan
Embrace the Tiger and Return to Mountain (also Carry the tiger to the mountain)
Den Tiger umarmen und zum Berg zurückkehren
18
拦雀尾
Lan Que Wei
Grasp the sparrow’s tail
Den Vogel am Schwanz fassen
19
肘底捶
Zhou Di Chui
Fist under elbow
Faust unterm Ellbogen
20
右倒撵猴
You Dao Nian Hou
Retreat to repulse monkey (right)
Schritt zurück und den Affen abwehren rechts
21
左倒撵猴
Zuo Dao Nian Hou
Retreat to repulse monkey (left)
Schritt zurück und den Affen abwehren links
22
右倒撵猴
You Dao Nian Hou
Retreat to repulse monkey (right)
Schritt zurück und den Affen abwehren rechts
23
左倒撵猴
Zuo Dao Nian Hou
Retreat to repulse monkey (left)
Schritt zurück und den Affen abwehren links
24
右倒撵猴
You Dao Nian Hou
Retreat to repulse monkey(right)
Schritt zurück und den Affen abwehren rechts
25
斜飞式
Xie Fei Shi
Oblique/Diagonal flying
Diagonales Fliegen
26
提手上势
Ti Shou Shang Shi
Step up to raise hands
Hände heben
27
白鹤凉翅
Bai He Liang Chi
White Crane spreads its wings
Der weiße Kranich breitet seine Flügel aus
28
左搂膝拗步
Zuo Lou Xi Ao Bu
Brush left knee and push
Knie streifen links
29
海底针
Hai Di Zhen
Needle to the bottom of the sea
Die Nadel auf dem Meeresboden
30
扇通背
Shan Tong Bei
Fan through the back
Die Arme zum Fächer ausbreiten
31
转身撇身捶
Zhuan Shen Pie Shen Chui
Turn Body and Chop with Fist
Den Körper drehen, Faustrückschlag rechts und Push mit links
32
进步搬拦捶
Jin Bu Ban Lan Chui
Twist, deflect, step, parry, punch
Schritt vor, abwehren und schlagen (Fauststoß)
33
拦雀尾
Lan Que Wei
Grasp the sparrow’s tail
Den Vogel am Schwanz fassen
34
单鞭
Dan Bian
Single whip
Einfache Peitsche
35
云手
Zuo You Yun Shou
Cloud hands (several times)
Wolkenhände
36
单鞭
Dan Bian
Single whip
Einfache Peitsche
37
高探马
Gao Tan Ma
High pat on horse
Hoher Schlag aufs Pferd
38
右分脚
You Fen Jiao
Parting/separation kick (right)
Trennen und Kick rechts
39
左分脚
Zuo Fen Jiao
Parting/separation kick (left)
Trennen und Kick links
40
转身左蹬脚
Zhuan Shen Zuo Deng Jiao
Turn and kick with left heel
Drehen und Tritt mit der linken Ferse
41
左搂膝拗步
Zuo Lou Xi Ao Bu
Brush left knee and push
Linkes Knie streifen und rechts stoßen
42
右搂膝拗步
You Lou Xi Ao Bu
Brush right knee push
Knie streifen rechts
43
左搂膝拗步
Zuo Lou Xi Ao Bu
Brush left knee
Linkes Knie streifen
44
进步栽捶
Jin Bu Zai Chui
Step up, Punch Down
Schritt und Hammerschlag
45
转身撇身锤
Zhuan Shen Pie Shen Chui
Turn Body and Chop with Fist
Den Körper drehen, Faustrückschlag rechts und Push mit links
46
进步搬拦锤
Jin Bu Ban Lan Chui
Twist, deflect, step, parry and punch
Schritt vor, abwehren und schlagen (Fauststoß)
47
右蹬脚
You Deng Jiao
Right heel kick
Tritt mit der rechten Ferse
48
左打虎式
Zuo Da Hu Shi
Hit/strike tiger (left)
Den Tiger schlagen links
49
右打虎式
You Da Hu Shi
Hit/strike tiger (right)
Den Tiger schlagen rechts
50
回身右蹬脚
Hui Shen You Deng Jiao
Turn Body and Right Heel Kick
Linker Arm wehrt ab und Tritt mit der rechten Ferse
51
双峰灌耳
Shuang Feng Guan Er
Twin Fists Strike Opponents Ears
Auf die Ohren schlagen
52
左蹬脚
Zuo Deng Jiao
Left heel kick
Tritt mit der linken Ferse
53
转身右蹬脚
Zhuan Shen You Deng Jiao
Spin and kick with right heel
Drehen und Tritt mit der rechten Ferse
54
进步搬拦捶
Jin Bu Ban Lan Chui
Twist, deflect, step, parry, punch
Schritt vor, abwehren und schlagen (Fauststoß)
55
如封似闭
Ru Feng Si Bi
Apparent close up
Arme streifen und stoßen
56
十字手
Shi Zi Shou
Cross hands
Hände kreuzen
Yang style Tai Chi 108 form (part 3)
57
抱虎归山
Bao Hu Gui Shan
Embrace the Tiger and Return to Mountain (also Carry the tiger to the mountain)
Den Tiger umarmen und zum Berg zurückkehren
58
斜单鞭
Xie Dan Bian
Oblique/diagonal single whip
Diagonale Peitsche
59
右野马分鬃
You Ye Ma Fen Zong
Parting Wild Horse’s Mane, Right
Die Mähne des Wildpferds teilen (rechts)
60
左野马分鬃
Zuo Ye Ma Fen Zong
Parting Wild Horse’s Mane, Left
Die Mähne des Wildpferds teilen (links)
61
右野马分鬃
You Ye Ma Fen Zong
Parting Wild Horse’s Mane, Right
Die Mähne des Wildpferds teilen (rechts)
62
左野马分鬃
Zuo Ye Ma Fen Zong
Parting Wild Horse’s Mane, Left
Die Mähne des Wildpferds teilen (links)
63
右野马分鬃
You Ye Ma Fen Zong
Parting Wild Horse’s Mane, Right
Die Mähne des Wildpferds teilen (rechts)
64
左掤
Zuo Peng
Ward-off (Left)
Block links
65
拦雀尾
Lan Que Wei
Grasp the sparrow’s tail
Den Vogel am Schwanz fassen
66
单鞭
Dan Bian
Single whip
Einfache Peitsche
67
玉女穿梭
Yu Nu Chuan Suo
Fair Lady works at shuttles (also Jade maiden weaves shuttles (left))
Die Schöne Dame am Webstuhl links
68
玉女穿梭
Yu Nu Chuan Suo
Fair Lady works at shuttles (also Jade maiden weaves shuttles (right))
Die Schöne Dame am Webstuhl rechts
69
玉女穿梭
Yu Nu Chuan Suo
Fair Lady works at shuttles (also Jade maiden weaves shuttles (left))
Die Schöne Dame am Webstuhl links
70
玉女穿梭
Yu Nu Chuan Suo
Fair Lady works at shuttles (also Jade maiden weaves shuttles (right))
Die Schöne Dame am Webstuhl rechts
71
左掤
Zuo Peng
Ward-off (Left)
Block links
72
拦雀尾
Lan Que Wei
Grasp the sparrow’s tail (right)
Den Vogel am Schwanz fassen
73
单鞭
Dan Bian
Single whip
Einfache Peitsche
74
云手
Zuo You Yun Shou
Cloud hands (several times)
Wolkenhände
75
单鞭
Dan Bian
Single whip
Einfache Peitsche
76
下势
Xia Shi
Snake creeps down
Die Schlange kriecht am Boden
77
左金鸡独立
Zuo Jin Ji Du Li
Golden Rooster stands on left leg
Der goldene Hahn steht auf einem Bein (links)
78
右金鸡独立
You Jin Ji Du Li
Golden Rooster stands on right leg
Der goldene Hahn steht auf einem Bein (rechts)
79
右倒撵猴
Zuo Dao Nian Hou
Retreat to repulse monkey (right)
Schritt zurück und den Affen abwehren rechts
80
左倒撵猴
You Dao Nian Hou
Retreat to repulse monkey (left)
Schritt zurück und den Affen abwehren links
81
右倒撵猴
Zuo Dao Nian Hou
Retreat to repulse monkey (right)
Schritt zurück und den Affen abwehren rechts
82
左倒撵猴
You Dao Nian Hou
Retreat to repulse monkey (left)
Schritt zurück und den Affen abwehren links
83
右倒撵猴
Zuo Dao Nian Hou
Retreat to repulse monkey(right)
Schritt zurück und den Affen abwehren rechts
84
斜飞式
Xie Fei Shi
Oblique/Diagonal flying
Diagonales Fliegen
85
提手上势
Ti Shou Shang Shi
Step up to raise hands
Hände heben
86
白鹤凉翅
Bai He Liang Chi
White Crane spreads its wings
Der weiße Kranich breitet seine Flügel aus
87
左搂膝拗步
Zuo Lou Xi Ao Bu
Brush left knee and push
Linkes Knie streifen und rechts stoßen
88
海底针
Hai Di Zhen
Needle to the bottom of the sea
Die Nadel auf dem Meeresboden
89
扇通背
Shan Tong Bei
Fan through the back
Die Arme zum Fächer ausbreiten
90
转身白蛇吐信
Zhuan Shen Bai She Tu Xin
Turn Body and White Snake Spits out Tongue
Drehung und die weiße Schlange zeigt ihre Zunge
91
进步搬拦捶
Jin Bu Ban Lan Chui
Twist, deflect, step, parry, punch
Schritt vor, abwehren und schlagen (Fauststoß)
92
拦雀尾
Lan Que Wei
Grasp the sparrow’s tail
Den Vogel am Schwanz fassen
93
单鞭
Dan Bian
Single whip
Einfache Peitsche
94
云手
Zuo You Yun Shou
Cloud hands (several times)
Wolkenhände
95
高探马
Gao Tan Ma
High pat on horse
Hoher Schlag aufs Pferd
96
穿掌
Chuan Zhang
Palm Thrust
Fingerstich
97
十字腿
Shi Zi Tui
Cross leg kick
Beine kreuzen
98
进步指裆锤
Jin Bu Zhi Dang Chui
Step forward and punch groin
Schritt vor und Schlag in die Leistengegend
99
上步拦雀尾
Shang Bu Lan Que Wei
Walking/Step Forward and Grasp the sparrow’s tail
Schritt vor und den Vogel am Schwanz fassen
100
单鞭
Dan Bian
Single whip
Einfache Peitsche
101
下势
Xia Shi
Snake creeps down
Die Schlange kriecht am Boden
102
上步七星
Shang Bu Qi Xing
Step up to form the seven stars
Schritt vor und Stoß zu den sieben Sternen
103
退步跨虎
Tui Bu Kua Hu
Sit/Step back to ride the tiger
Schritt zurück und den Tiger reiten
104
转身摆莲
Zhuan Shen Bai Lian
Turn body and swing over lotus
Über den Lotus streifen
105
弯弓射虎
Wan Gong She Hu
Draw the bow to shoot the tiger
Den Bogen spannen und auf den Tiger zielen
106
进步搬拦捶
Jin Bu Ban Lan Chui
Twist, deflect, step, parry, punch
Schritt vor, abwehren und schlagen (Fauststoß)
107
如封似闭
Ru Feng Si Bi
Apparent close & counter with push
Arme streifen und stoßen
108
十字手
Shi Zi Shou
Cross hands
Hände kreuzen
Now if you want to print the Tai Chi 108 form movement names, I actually prepared a PDF file for you with the names in Chinese, Pinyin and English. Because printing this blog post probably wouldn’t be as pretty. Just download the PDF here.
And then I have some links for you with additional information:
- If you want to know how the Yang family counts and names the long form, look here for the Yang style 103 form. There you’ll also find the right pronunciation!
- Or read more about the 103 form on Wikipedia.
- Or you could have a look at a comparision between the movements and counting for 108 form, 103 form, Cheng Manchings 37 form and some other shorter Yang style Tai Chi forms here.
- If you want to know the Chinese names for more Tai Chi moves, have a look at my list of the Tai Chi 24 form and Cheng Manchings 37 form.
Now I hope that I can help you with the list of the Tai Chi 108 form names in Chinese etc. However, I’d like to note that I do not speak Chinese. Thus if you see a mistake, feel free to contact me to correct it! And if you know any other language, feel free to contact me so I can add your mothertongue, too!
And of course have fun practicing the Taijiquan form. Practice your Tai Chi exercises. Actually if you want to make sure that you practice the most important moves more than the other moves, find out which are the most important move in the Tai Chi 108 form.
Happy Qi!
Angelika
If you are interested in more Tai Chi moves and their Chinese name, have a look at The Taijiquan & Qi Gong Dictionary*.
Comments are closed.
2 Comments
Hi Angelika, I’ve been researching tai chi and qijong for a few weeks trying to understand all these forms. I found your web site from a google search “tai chi yang 85 103 108 form”.
From the Yang Family web site http://www.yangfamilytaichi.com/home.php it is listed as 103, although I also found some tutorials on youtube from the Yang Family for 85 103 108 forms. As you mentioned, it is very confusing for practitioners. To add to the confusion, the form names are different, i.e. play pipa, strum the lute, play guitar, etc…
In my opinion, this is not good for tai chi, or taijiquan, or T’ai chi ch’uan, …. it only serves as needlessly mystifying the art and cause unnecessary confusion. It would be nice to have some consistency.
In addition, it seems everyone is modifying the postures – I watched a number of videos for the same style and form, inwhich the master/grand master/sifu/Dr, etc.., varying the postures (i.e. degree of bend in the wrists, etc.) and steps. It appears tai chi has some basic concepts (the essentials) and then, do what feels better or more natural for yourself, call it something different so you can start your own school and develop your following.
I just wanted to share this with you although you are more than likely aware of it.
Thank you for the GREAT website!
Hi Dennis,
yes, the form names, numbers, and how people do them – it differs! But in the end you are right, there are some basic principles that apply to everyone (at least within one style 😉 ).
When you see how people run the form differently, that is also a question of what is possible. Someone who started Tai Chi at the age of 5 clearly has a differnt body than someone who startet at 50! Thus find a good teacher, ask for applications and tests and you will find your own way of moving, too!
Angelika