NEW TRANSLATION AND DECIPHERING OF CHINESE GENERAL QI JIGUANG’S

METHOD FOR FIGHERS PREPARATION (XVI CENTURY A.D.)

Igor A. Voronov, PhD in psychology, professor, Dean of the Faculty of Psychology and
Psychoanalysis, The East European Institute of Psychoanalysis (Russian Federation, St.
Petersburg)

Abstract

The article recollects the results of 22 years of research on translation and interpretation of

32 quatrains from the method for fighter preparation by Chinese general Qi Jiguang 戚继光

(1528-1587), presented in the “New Treatise of Examples to Follow” 纪效新书 (Ji Xiao Xin

Shu). This unique method later became the basis for all the modern Chinese wushu styles.

According to the Russian and international researchers the preparation for a fight after this

method could require as little as 3-10 days. Till the present many attempts to translate and

decipher the text into European languages have been done. Each of the translation has its

advantages and drawbacks. The original article presenting the Method translation into Russian

was published in 2016 in the specialized journal of the Military Institute of Physical Education

[1], the actual English translation attempts to make the work available for wider English-

speaking audience. The article targets military historians, martial arts specialists and amateurs.

Key words: Qi Jiguang, hand-to-hand fight, 32 quatrains, Chinese wushu.

The biography and achievements of general Qi Jiguang 戚继光 (1528-1587), as well as

his method of fighters preparation demand a special research. This article highlights only the

aspect of translation and decipherment of the 32 quatrains from his method described in the
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“New Treatise of the Examples to Follow” 戚继光 (Ji Xiao Xin Shu). According to Russian and

international researchers the time limit required for the fighter preparation was sometimes as

little as 3-10 days [2,3,4].

Original text of 32 quatrains

There exist, at least, 2 versions of the original text presentation. They differ in: first, in

the way of some hieroglyphs writing; second, in attaching certain hieroglyphs to specific lines

(i.e. the last hieroglyph of one line can be written as the first of the next line), and third, in the

order of some quatrains presentation. These differences seriously alternate the content and the

meaning of the method.

We used the text from the publication of Xi Yuntai (Xi Yuntai, 1985) "中国 术史"

(The History of Chinese Martial Arts) [4].

Earlier translations

Chronologically the first translation work of the method into Russian was accomplished

by a Russian sinologist A.A. Bogatchikhin (1988) [5]. He used the original text of Xi Yuntai

edition (1985) [4]. But at the end of his work he admitted sincerely: “It is practically impossible

to have an exact translation of the text from the laconic ancient Chinese due to multiple

definition of the hieroglyphs and their particular meaning in this context. The lack of

punctuation or its limited use: just few dots and commas - also makes translation more difficult.

And the most irreducible obstacle for the translation is the absence of some hieroglyphs in

dictionaries. What was meant by the author – is clear only to him and his smart students.

Certainly the common knowledge of this martial gymnastics is helpful up to certain degree. Still

this translation remains very approximate.”[5].

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An English translation of the method by C.M. Gives (1993) [6] was very useful for the

work. Although it is a serious translation worthy of the highest appreciation, but more detailed

analysis of this translation revealed that: first, the author initially used a corrupted version of the

original text; second, he was not acquainted with the system of text composing in the Old China

(see further), and thirdly the author showed his superficial knowledge of the theory and practice

of fighter preparation in general, so as a result the translation turned to be unusable for practical

application.

Another useful reference has become the publication of Sang H. Kim translation into

English (2002) “Comprehensive illustrated manual of martial arts of ancient Korea” by Muye

Dobo Tongji [7], which also refers to the methods of Qi Jiguang without quoting the text though.

Besides we definitely took into consideration our earlier translation of the text, published

in the book “Secret Martial Arts of China” (2000) [8], and included into the PhD dissertation text

“Chinese classical concept of military preparation” (Moscow, The Military University) [9].

Every over mentioned translation has its advantages, but not one corresponds the main

purpose – to allow to put in practical use this ancient experience of hand-to hand fight. All the

previous translations are unusable for application.

Methodological foundation

All the authors approached the translation without taking in consideration methodological

particularities. First, the method was aimed for training of the soldiers of the army of the Country

of the Middle of XVI century, who mainly were peasants. Therefore the text includes plenty of

plant names and the names associated with agriculture. Second, the method describes the

fighting techniques specific for that period of time, and not the modern competition wushu

techniques. Third and the most important (!), in the Old Chine there existed a special system of
 4

text composing – a special structure modelling the structure of the world, according to which

everything was used to be build up in the country – from the structure of state administration till

the structure of literature novels.

More detailed description of this structure the author has presented in the previously

published numerous works [10], for this particular case we can point out that the order of

presentations of the quatrains is not occasional, it follows a precise strictly fixed sequence

determined, as it was experimentally demonstrated, by human neuro-physiological mechanism of

information processing. To every step of this sequence (by the way in Qi Jiguang’s text these

steps are named “shi” 势 – potential, force etc.) there is a corresponding complex of phenomena:

image, movement, sound, state of being etc. These compilations of symbols described in the

quatrains interlaces with the description of the movement activity. Without knowing these

particularities it is indeed practically impossible to translate Qi Jiguang’s quatrains. Furthermore

“the multi-layered character” of the Chinese language does not allow to obtain precise translation

of the quatrains into European languages. For example, in the first line of the first quatrain we

read: 懒扎衣出门架子, the phrase that we translate as “Lazily hitch up the clothes” – initial

position, can be understood when pronounced as lazily hitching up the monk frock stand in the

gate way as a mast. Monk’s frock in Chinese symbolism – is a definite image of spiritual act, the

gate – is a beginning of the way, a mast – is a symbol of spine and corporal component: spiritual

growth through the body exercises. Every one of the 128 lines of the text has a hidden sense,

making the method perception unique, and the images that accompany the muscle movements

activate precisely very particular blocks of human nervous system.

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The hieroglyph “shi” is translated as “technique” which is not completely correct – it

could be translated as “stage”, “level”, “form”, but in this case, according to the author it is the

best adequate translation.

Used dictionaries

The author used The Chinese-Russian Dictionary of Beijing Edition of 1989 [11] and on-

line dictionary “Zhonga” (hppt://www.zhnga.ru/) [12], to fill the gaps of the hard copy

dictionary.

Fighting techniques

One of the most difficult phases of work was the deciphering of the meaning of the

quatrains – which exact martial technique is described by each rhyme. This work started

simultaneously with the first attempts of the text translation into Russian in 1993. Together with

theory and methodology of hand-to-hand fight teaching, the author studied Chinese styles

deriving from Qi Jiguang method, such as taijiquan, and had consultations with Chinese

specialists who did not always “kindly share” their knowledge. A set of psychological trainings

using synesthesia were carried out. In several case hypnosis was applied. Approximate pictures

accompanying the text were useful till some degree. Literary translation of the text played a big

role. Dozens of experiments and hundreds of individuals as experimental population, several

dissertations and numerous probations allowed to re-construct Qi Jiguang method and decipher

the techniques (Table 1).

Translation of the quatrains and decipherment of the hand-to-hand fight techniques

The first column contains the number of the quatrain (in italics – the number in the

second version of the original), in the second column there is the original text in Chinese
 6

(version from [4]) and its transcription, in the third column there is a translation into English, in

the fourth column there is a corresponding image from “The New Treatise of the Examples to

Follow” and the explanation of the fight technique or a special exercise.

Conclusion

Certainly, modern requirements applied to hand-to hand fight nowadays do not allow to

use this text alone for military troops and martial artists’ preparation. Although it can be

efficiently used as psycho-somatic conditioning aiming at the psychological correction of the

information processing mechanism (after the segmental innervation principle). The sequence of

exercises can be used as a warm-up set, for general rehabilitation purposes and to develop

professionally important traits in fighters. Many-year practice of the method often stimulated

prognostic capacities and anticipation skills in practitioners.

Finally, the author hopes, that this work uniting 22 years of research can be interesting to

the military historian and all the enthusiasts of martial arts.

Acknowledgements

During many year of work on the method of General Qi Jiguang I received support from

many specialists of various qualifications. I would like to present my particular gratitude to the

linguist Peng Baohuang (PRC) for his excursions to the multi-layered structure of the Chinese

language; to wushu master Liu Shuhui (PRC) for her help in working with the quatrains and

introduction in the Chinese wushu; to Colonel, Master of Sports of the USSR, PhD in

Pedagogics, professor Sergey M. Ashkinazi (Russian Federation) [14] for many year assistance
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in promoting this topic in sport science and martial arts and to a linguist and Chinese martial arts

instructor Tatiana A. Bocharova for her help with English translations.

LITERATURE REFERENCES

1. Voronov. I.A. (2016). Experience of translation and interpretation of Chinese

general Qi Jiguang method for preparation of fighters (XVI c. A.D.). Actual Problems of
physical and special preparation of order forces. Publication of the Military Institute of Physical
Education. St. Petersburg, 1, p.129 - 138.
2. Bekhterev, V.M. (2001) Suggestion and its role in public life / VM Bekhterev. SPb .:
Peter. 2001. -256 p.
3. Abaev N.V., Lepekhov S.Y. (1986) Methods of regulation of social behavior in secret
religious associations of old China (based on Buddhist associations) // sources and
historiography of the history of Buddhism. -Novosibirsk, "Science", 1986, pp. 85-99.
4. Xi Yuntai. (1985). Zhung-go wu-shu shi. (History of Chinese "martial arts" Wushu).-
Pekin.
5. Bogachihin M.M. (1988) Qi Jiguang, "New Book Recording the Effects", scroll 14. //
Gu Lyusin. Cannonball. - M .: Libris, 1988. p. 471 - 487.
6. Gyves C.M. (1993). An English translation of general Qi Jiguang's "Quanjing jieyao
pian" (chapter on the fist canon and the essentials of nimbleness) from the Jixiao xinshu (New
treatise on disciplined service). (PhD Dissertation). The university of Arizona..
7. Sang, H.K. (2002) ) “Comprehensive illustrated manual of martial arts of ancient
Korea” by Muye Dobo Tongji. Ed. Phoenix, Rostov-On-Don.
8. Voronov IA (2000) Secret Martial Arts of Ancient China. Ed. B&K, St. Petersburg.
9. Voronov IA (1996) Chinese classical concept of military training (Ph. Ped. Sciences).
Ed. Military University, Moscow.
10. Voronov I.A. (2005) Psycho-technics martial arts. East Asian classical concept of
psychological preparation of fighters. Ed. Harvest, Minsk.
11. The Chinese-Russian Dictionary. Beijing, 1989.
12. Zhonga - online translator // http://www.zhonga.ru/
13. Smirnov V.O., Liu Shuhui, Voronov, I.A. (1999) The use of acoustic stimulation in
the speech learning motor actions on the example of the preparation method of the Chinese
troops commander of the XVI century. Qi Jiguang. IV Saint-Petersburg Assembly of young
scientists and specialists. Abstracts. St. Petersburg, 1999. p.163.
14. Ashkinazi S.M., Voronov I.A. (2006) Technology of hand-to-hand combat training
by Chinese general Qi Jiguang. 1-st World Scientific Congress of Combat Sports and Martial
Arts. September, 22-24, 2006. Poland, Rzeszow.
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Chinese text Translation Decipherment

1 2 3 4
懒扎衣出门架子 “Lazily hitch up the clothes” – initial Warming up
position, exercise for spine
L n zhā yī chūmén jiàzi,
The sequence of techniques begins with twisting
变 势霎步单鞭 fast steps and arms swings. mobilization
biàn xià shì shà bù dān biān. In the struggle with the enemy – do not consisting of
对敌 无胆向先 reveal aggression, swinging arms
Relax your eyes, then – the arms. while walking.
Duì dí ruò wú d n xiàng xiān,
空自眼 手便
kōngzì y n míng shǒu biàn
2 金鸡独立颠 The Golden Rooster stands on one leg Arm strikes and/ or
on the top of the pole, other arm
Jīnjīdúlì diān qǐ,
Feigned step, horizontal box – are techniques are
装腿横 相兼 simultaneous. executed
zhuāng tuǐ héng quán xiāng jiān Grabs, jerk towards oneself, throws simultaneously with
抢背卧牛双倒 The sufferer will endlessly whine. stepping. In this
qi ng bèi wò niú shuāng dào case the muscles of
the medial thighs
著叫
contract thus
zāo zhě jiàokǔliántiān increasing striking
strength.
3 探马传自 祖
Horse riding spy is for himself a Studying stances,
Tànm chuán zì tài zǔ
conductor of the Great Ancestor, displacements, arm
诸势可降可变 All the TECHNIQUES must be studied short-distance
zhū shì kě jiàng kěbiàn, сconsequently, strikes in these
进攻退闪弱生强 Attacks, withdrawals, dodging is hard stances.
for weak health
jìngōng tuì sh n ruò shēng
Here short-distance boxing is good
qiáng,
接短 之至善
jiē du n quán zhī zhì shàn
4 构单鞭黄花紧进 “Mulberry Single Whip”
Advance often with Dropping
gou dān biān huánghuā jǐn jìn,
“Chrysanthemum” , the
披挑腿 右难 By changing right to left legs it is opponent
pī tiāo tuǐ zuǒyòu nán fáng, difficult to defend, backward
枪步 劈揭 “Swift step and ascending fist” will over the
chop totally from inside out, knee with a
qi ng bù shàng quán lián pī jiē,
“Aloe Tree” TECHNIQUE can knock straight
沉香势推倒泰山 down Mount Tai-Shan. arm
chénxiāng shì tuīd o tàishān
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5 七星 手足相顾 “Seven Stars” boxing – hands and feet

complement each other, Hand boxing
Qīxīng quán shǒuzú xiānggù,
“Patient Step” – Lift cage moves up techniques,
挨步逼 提笼 and down classical boxing.
āi bù bī shàngxià tí lóng The gentleman’s hand is quick and legs
君手快脚如风 – like the wind,
I am executing combination of
Ráo jūn shǒukuài ji o rú fēng,
chopping attacking strikes.
我自有搅 劈重
wǒ zì yǒu ji o chōng pī zhòng
6 倒骑龙诈输样走 “Mount the dragon backwards” – fake
loss with apparent movements Backhand
Dào qí lóng zhà shū yáng zǒu,
Entice the opponent to pursue then re- fist strikes
诱追人遂我回仲 turn dartingly. towards
yòu zhuī-ren suì wǒ huí chōng It is difficult to attack him due to his backward
凭伊力猛硬来攻 strength,
ping- yī lì měng yìng lái gōng To what should one resemble? – I am
shaking as a rapid-firing cannon.
怎当我 珠炮动
zěn dāng wǒ liánzhū pào dòng
7 悬脚虚 彼轻进 Foot suspended – an empty bait,
Then it is easy to advance, Deceptive
Xuán ji o xū ěr bǐ qīng jìn,
Changing the dominant leg – is not an kicking
二换腿 不 轻 easy gift. movement
èr huàn tuǐ jué bù qīng ráo. Reaching the opponent with the open and open
掌满 星 palm fingers, palm finger
Who would dare to spar with you twice? strike
G n shàng yī zh ng m n tiān
xīng,
谁敢再来比并
shuí g n zàilái bǐ bìng
8 丘刘势 TECHNIQUE “Mound with a Halberd”:
moving to the left – chop with the
右掌劈
Palm edge
Qiū liú shì zuǒ bānyòu zh ng pī,
right hand, strikes from Ma-
来脚入步 心挪更 Come closer with progressive steps; Bu stance
lái ji o rù bù lián xīn nuó gèng connected to the displacement change.
法探马均打人 Beat the man by boxing him from the
balanced stance of “horse riding spy”.
quánf tànm jūn d rén
One successful strike will take his life.
着命尽
yīzhāo mìng jǐn
9 种势专降快腿 TECHNIQUE “Sower” – intentionally
low down the stance quickly, Blocking the leg and pulling
Xià zhong shì zhuān jiàng kuài
The resulting step can knock down any over the opponent
tuǐ,
support
得进步搅靠无别 Hook the ankle with elbows (arms), do
dé jìnbù ji o kào wú bié. not allow to free away,
钩脚锁 不容离 First disturb him, then jerk out towards
you causing him to fall.
Gōu ji o suǒ bì bùróng lí,
惊 跌
shàng jīng xià qǔ yī diē
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10 埋伏势窝弓待虎 TECHNIQUE “Ambush” – crossbow

man lie in wait for a tiger, Backhand
Máifú shì wō gōng dài hǔ,
Trapped offender cannot make a single fist strike
犯圈套寸步难移 step! backwards
fàn quāntào cùnbù nán yí! Release the trigger (of the crossbow), from a low
发几腿 merging it, above all, with the leg. stance.
He will receive a blow – will faint and
就机
Jiù jī lián fā jǐ tuǐ,
die.
他 打必定 危
tā shòu d bìdìng hūn wēi.
11 抛架子枪步披挂 Taking down with the “front sweep”:
grab him by his armor, Taking down
Pāo jiàzi qi ng bù pīguà,
Sweep with your leg – no fear, that he with the “Front
补 腿那怕他识 knows this technique. sweep” by
bǔ shàng tuǐ nà pà tā shí. Grab from the right, throw to the left sweeping the
右横 采快如飞 quickly as if launching into the air. loaded leg of the
For the open hand throw as if throwing opponent with
Yòu héng zuǒ c i kuài rú fēi,
against the ground. the knee.
架 掌不知 地
jià yī zh ng bùzhī tiāndì
12 拈肘势 他弄腿 TECHNIQUE “Pinch the elbow with the
fingers” protects from kicks, Forearm
Niān zhǒu shì fáng tā nòng tuǐ,
I cut the beard short horizontally, at blocks against
我截短 认高低 different levels. kicks.
wǒ jié du n xū rèn gāodī. Chop, strike, grab – need to co-ordinate
劈打推压要皆依 all this.
By no means fuss or hurry.
Pī d tuī yā yào jiē yī,
勿手脚忙急
qiè wù shǒuji o máng jí.
13 霎步随机应变 The One Instant Step functions /acts
according to the situation, Kicks and
Yīshà bù suíjīyìngbiàn,
Both legs kick the opponent with long swinging
右腿 敌 珠 succession. palm edge
zuǒyòu tuǐ chōng dí liánzhū. When executing the technique the firm strikes.
凭伊势固手风雷 hand “like a hurricane” [outer
chopping with the palm edge]
ping- Nèn yī shì gù shǒu fēngléi,
How to do it? I strike, startling the
怎当我闪惊 opponent with swift dodges.
zěn dāng wǒ sh n jīng qi o qǔ.
14 擒 拿 势 封 脚 套 子， TECHNIQUE “Painful locks”, “seal the
feet into a case”, Painful locks
Qínná shì fēng ji o tàozi,
From different sides restrain as before “Qin-na”
右 压 如 四 平。 “the 4 regions”. 擒拿, feet
zuǒyòu yā yī rú sìpíng, If a direct strike comes – I encounter it are firm on
直 来 逢 我 投 活， with dashing into action. the ground.
zhí lái quán féng wǒ tóu huó, Thus a quick leg does not spare.
恁 快 腿 不 得 通 融。
nèn kuài tuǐ bùdé tōngróng
 11

15 In the water-well frame of “the 4

regions” move vertically,
井栏四平直进剪，
Jǐng lán sì píng zhí jìn, ji n
“Eradicate the pest”, by kicking with the Knee and elbow
踢膝当头滚。 knee, face to face, nailing down. strikes from the
19 lián tī xī dāngtóu. Gǔn From near nail through with every iron short distance
穿劈靠抹 钩， elbow strike,
After a perfect clutch, and in this case
chuān pī kào mǒ yī gōu,
go forward.
铁 样 将 军 也 走。
tiě yàng jiāngjūn yě zǒu.
16 鬼 蹶脚 抢 人 先 着， Devil kicks – try to anticipate the man
for at least 1 step.
Guǐ jue ji o qi ng rén xiān-zhāo,
Add a feigning fist before the sweeping Knocking
20 补前扫转 红 。 turn. down
bǔ qián s o zhu n shàng hóng You are similar to the releasing bow sweeps
quán, shoulders when the bow string is
背弓颠披揭 ， loosened,
Press the elbows with agility to the heart,
bèi gōng diān pī jiē qǐ,
difficult to teach [this].
穿 心 肘 靠 妙 难 传。
chuān xīn zhǒu kào miào nán
chuán
17 指 当 势 是 个 法， TECHNIQUE “Similar to a finger” – is a
method of all the adult men, Knee kicks
Zhǐ dāng shì shìgè dīng f ,
One enters with difficulty, I advance upwards, arm
21 他 难 进 我 好 向 前。 easily. pulls toward
tā nán jìn wǒ h o xiàng qián. Nailing knee kicks raise high as a oneself
踢 膝 滚 硕 面， fountain,
Hurried retreating step - conclude it with
Tī xī gǔn shuo cuān shàngmiàn,
a feigning fist.
急回步颠短红 。
jí huí bù diān du n hóng quán.
18 兽 头 势 如 牌 挨 进， TECHNIQUE “Animal head” is like
dealing out the cards alternatively, Leg kicks,
Shòu tóu shì rú pái āi jìn,
This is about quick legs, I am fast. hands protect
22 恁 快 脚 遇 我 慌 忙。 To annoy from down, from up to yank, the head.
nèn kuài ji o yù wǒ huāngmáng. otherwise it is difficult to defend.
低惊高 他难 ， Shorten the distance, break the bank, aim
Dī jīng gāoqǔ tā nán fáng, higher.
接短披红 。
jiē du n pīhóng chōng shàng
19 中 四 平 势 实 推 固， TECHNIQUE “Center of the 4 regions” 短打
Zhōng sìpíng shì shí tuī gù,
does knock down solidity. duan-da –
To attack cold-blooded, to advance with hand-to
15 硬 攻 进 快 腿 难 来。 fast legs, it is difficult to move. hand fight –
yìng gōng jìn kuài tuǐ nán lái. With two hands pull his one hand. the tactics.
双 手 逼 他 单 手， DUAN-Da will allow to mature to start
seeing.
Shuāngshǒu bī tā dān shǒu,
短 打 以 熟 为 乖。
 12

du nd yǐ shú wèi guāi.

20 伏 虎 势 侧 身 弄 腿， TECHNIQUE “Hiding Tiger” –
Kicking to the side.
Fú hǔ shi cèshēn nòng tuǐ,
But before the kick I bring forward the Side kicks
16 但 来 凑 我 前 掌， palm,
dàn lái còu wǒ qián zhang Look: his stance is not stable,
看 他 立 站 不 稳， Then, I eliminate – he will certainly fall
kàn tā lì zhàn bù wěn, down.
后扫 跌 。
hòu s o yī diē fēnmíng.
21 Body method of “the high 4 regions” is
based on the “transformations”,
高四平身法活变，
Gāo sìpíng shēn f huó bian,
From different sides to appear for an Fight with 2
17 右短出入如飞。 instant like a wind, or more
zuǒyòu du n chūrù rú fēi. [The transformations] will force the opponents
逼敌人手足无措， opponent to make hand and feet
mistakes,
Bī dírén shǒuzúwúcuò,
And will favor me to kick [him] and to
恁我便脚踢 捶。 punch.
nèn wǒ biàn ji o tī quán chuí
22 倒插势 招架， TECHNIQUE “Stopping actions” leaves
no possibility to fight back. Kicking
Dào chā shì bù yǔ zhāojià,
Leaning leg will require to be victorious backward
18 靠腿快讨他之赢， over him soon
kào tuǐ kuài t o tā zhī yíng, Extending the back you are advancing,
背弓进 莫 停， mustn’t delay or stop,
The kick is like an echo in the canyon
bèi gōng jìnbù mò chí tíng,
打如谷声相应。
d rú gǔ shēng xiāngyìng
23 神 当面插 ， Boxing of “Celestial Deities” will reveal
Shén quán dāngmiàn chā xià, you the secret, Shadow boxing
The displacement techniques will start
进 火焰攒心，
the fire in your soul.
jìnbù huǒyàn cuán xīn, To skillfully use the grasp and complete
遇 就拿就跌， it with a take down
yù qi o jiù ná jiù diē, Pay attention – must not to raise up the
举手 得留情。 hands
jǔ shǒu bùdé liúqíng
24 条鞭横直披砍， Single whip cuts off the shoulder across Taking down the opponent
Yītiáo biān héng zhípī k n, the movement. It will harm if they with one strike of the
see the pair – attack-retreat. extended arm to the shoulders
两进退当面伤人。
Do not fear his brute strength and
li ng jìn tuǐ dāngmiàn shāng rén. ignorant courage,
不怕他力粗胆大， I, having the mastery, in any way,
Bùpà tā lì cū d n dà, communicate with heaven spirits.
我 好打通神。
wǒ qi o h o d tōngshén
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25 Method “Deep Purple Underground

Dragon coils the legs”.
地龙下盘腿法，
Què de lóng xià pántuǐ f ,
Place forward, start moving, and later
前揭 后进红拳。 feigning fist.
qián jiē qǐ hòujìn hóng quán. He retreats, I just keep up the head.
他退我虽颠补， Moving forward from beneath, there
stops the stretching.
Tā tuì wǒ suī diān bǔ,
来短当休延。 Stretching exercises
chōng lái du n dāng xiū yán
26 朝 手 偏 身 腿， The Hand facing the Sun, the body
Zhāoyáng shǒu piān shēn fáng sideways, protection from the legs,
tuǐ, Unbroken chain will make a hero retreat. Conditioning
TECHNIQUE “Dead men Combat” – with kicking
无 缝 锁 逼 退 豪 英。
snap him with one leg, strikes against
wú fèng suǒ bī tuì háo yīng. It will teach him well the principle “we the body
倒 阵 势 弹 他 脚， will die anyway”.
Dào zhènshì dàn tā yī ji o,
好 教他 师 也 丧 身。
h o jiào ta shī yě sàng shēng
shen
27 翅 侧 身 挨 进， Symmetrically evading we advance,
Use the legs swiftly, do not slow down
Yàn chì cèshēn āi jìn,
or stop. Dodging using
快 腿 走 不 留 停。 Once have overtaken [the opponent] bore ducking to side
kuài tuǐ zǒu bù liú tíng. the ground with one leg. followed by
追 穿 庄 腿， Must use scissors, wedging in towards advancing and
Zhuī shàng chuān zhuāng yī tuǐ, the victory kicking
要 加 剪 劈 推 红。
yào jiā ji n pī tuī hóng.
28 跨 虎 势 挪 移 发 脚， TECHNIQUE “Stride over Tiger” adopts
this movement,
Kuà hǔ shi nuóyí fā ji o,
Must move the legs the way that the Displacements
要 腿 去 不 使 他 知。 enemy does not understand your in stances and
yào tuǐ qù bù shǐ tā zhī. intentions. guard leg
右跟扫 施， While shifting this or that side use changing with
Zuǒyòu gēn s o yīlián shī, sweeps continuously, sweeps.
失 手 剪 刀 易。 If you missed doing “scissors” change of
shīshǒu ji ndāo fēn yì. the guard.
29 拗 鸾 肘 出 步 颠 剁， Elbow strike “Stubborn Phoenix” –
Step forward and chop at the upper Elbow strikes
o luán zhǒu chū bù diān duò,
level, from short
掌 摘 打 其 心。 Advancing further, grab with the hand distance,
bān xià zh ng zhāi d qí xīn. and strike to the chest. grabbing the
拿 捉 兔 硬 开 弓， Grab from behind [by the scruff of neck] opponent from
Ná yīn zhuō tù yìng kāi gōng, as a rabbit and bend him tough. behind (with
手 脚 必 相 应。 Hand and feet must act in coordination. the collar or the
shǒuji o bìxū xiāngyìng clothes at the level of the
shoulder blade) and bending
him backwards – continuing
 14

the blows.
30 拗 鸾 肘 出 步 颠 剁， TECHNIQUE “Cannon strikes against
the Head” immature fighter fears [to Similar to the
o luán zhǒu chū bù diān duò,
use], combining
掌 摘 打 其 心。 Advancing forward the tiger throws in attacks in the
bān xià zh ng zhāi d qí xīn. front both fists. modern Kick-
拿 捉 兔 硬 开 弓， He withdraws and I land another blow Boxing – as a
Ná yīn zhuō tù yìng kāi gōng, with the leg [to the head]. three-count
手 脚 必 相 应。 Even if I do not take him down, he will combination.
shǒuji o bìxū xiāngyìng still be flustered
31 鸾肘靠身 打， Elbow strike “Accompanying Phoenix”
is to be executed from above, Elbow strikes
Shùn luán zhǒu kào shēn bān d ,
It goes swift, the opponent has trouble to are
滚快他难 拦。 block. accompanied
gǔn kuài tā nán zhēlán. “Returning to outside”, “Choking brush”, with groin area
复外绞刷回 ， “Bending a harnessed One”. contraction at
Contract the belly and stamp [the foot], the moment of
Fù wài ji o shuā huí shuān,
Who would dare to contend - step stamping the foot
肚 跌 谁 敢 争 前。 forward! simultaneously with the
dù dā yī diē shuí g n zhēng qián. strike. There are mentioned
some elbow strike names.
32 旗鼓势 右压进， TECHNIQUE of “The Commander” –
directing the crushing offensive,
Qí gǔ shì zuǒyòu yā jìn,
The nearest adversaries chop with palm Hand edge
近他手横劈双行。 with both hands, strikes to the
jìn tā shǒu héng pī shuāng xíng. Choke and kick everyone, obtaining the neck, choking,
绞靠跌人人识得， experience, hair grabbing.
Ji o kào diē rén rén shí dé, Grab the hair [furiously pop out the A certain form of
heads] disregarding the origin psychological tuning of the
虎 抱 头 要 躲 无 门。
fighter such as “courage” or
hǔ bào tóu yào duǒ wú mén. “drive”.