Lü (捋) — Roll Back（捋）
Definition（定義）
Lü (捋) is one of the Four Primary Energies (四正勁) in Tai Chi.
It is not simply "pulling."
Instead, it means:
Receive incoming force.
Adhere to the opponent.
Guide the force along a curved path.
Lead it into emptiness.
Maintain continuous contact without resisting.
The opponent loses balance because you remove his support rather than overpowering him.
Tai Chi Classics（太極拳論）
The classics repeatedly emphasize the principles behind Lü.
"Neither resist nor let go."
不丟不頂
This is perhaps the most important principle of Lü.
Do not push against the opponent.
Do not lose contact.
Stay connected throughout the movement.
"Lead into emptiness."
引進落空
This describes the essential function of Lü.
Instead of stopping force,
you redirect it,
allowing the opponent to continue moving beyond his own center.
"Four ounces deflect one thousand pounds."
四兩撥千斤
Lü is the clearest expression of this principle.
Rather than matching force with force,
small rotational changes redirect much larger forces.
Biomechanics（生物力學）
Lü is produced by the whole body.
The hands merely transmit the movement.
The sequence is:
Ground Reaction Force（地面反作用力）↓
Feet（腳）↓
Legs（腿）↓
Kua Rotation（胯旋）↓
Waist Rotation（腰旋）↓
Spine（脊柱）↓
Shoulders（肩）↓
Arms（手臂）↓
Hands（雙手）
The hands never pull independently.
Mechanical Characteristics（力學特性）
Lü converts:
Linear Force（直線力）
into
Circular Force（圓弧力）
through
Spiral Rotation（螺旋旋轉）
Instead of opposing the opponent's momentum,
you change its direction.
Body Method（身法）
During Lü:
Relax the shoulders（鬆肩）
Sink the elbows（沉肘）
Rotate the waist（轉腰）
Open and close the kua（開合胯）
Maintain central equilibrium（中定）
Keep the root（落根）
The movement originates in the feet,
not the arms.
The Ancient Character 𢳋 (Hand Radical + 屢)
Many ancient manuals use another character, often written as 𢳋 (hand radical + 屢), instead of 捋.
Although pronounced similarly, the emphasis is slightly different.
Meaning
The ancient character emphasizes
stroking, smoothing, brushing along, or following continuously.
It suggests:
Following the opponent's force.
Maintaining adhesion.
Sliding without interruption.
Continuous yielding.
It stresses continuity more than pulling.
Difference Between 捋 and 𢳋
| 捋 | 𢳋 (手+屢) |
|---|---|
| Roll Back | Continuous Following |
| Redirect force | Maintain continuous contact |
| Curved redirection | Sliding along the opponent |
| Technique | Method of sticking |
| One of the Eight Energies | Describes the quality of movement |
One could say:
捋 describes the Jin (energy).
while
𢳋 describes the method of applying that Jin.
Relationship with Peng（掤）
Peng expands.
Lü receives.
Peng creates structure.
Lü removes structure.
Peng fills.
Lü empties.
The two are inseparable.
The Tai Chi Classics say:
"Peng, Lü, Ji, and An must be understood thoroughly."
Without Peng,
there is no stable Lü.
Without Lü,
Peng becomes rigid.
Teaching Explanation（教學說明）
"Lü is not a pull. It is a whole-body spiral redirection. By maintaining adhesion through continuous contact, the practitioner uses waist rotation, kua rotation, and ground reaction force to guide the opponent's incoming force into emptiness. The hands merely transmit the movement; the power originates from the feet, is controlled by the waist, and is expressed through the hands. The ancient character 𢳋 further emphasizes continuous following and smooth adherence, reminding us that Lü is achieved by connection rather than by muscular pulling."
A small terminology suggestion for your WTCCF manual
Instead of translating 捋 simply as Roll Back, I recommend:
Lü (Roll Back and Redirect)
or
Lü (Roll Back through Whole-body Spiral Redirection)
This better reflects the meaning in the Tai Chi Classics and helps students avoid the common misconception that Lü is merely pulling the opponent backward.
沒有留言:
張貼留言