Clarifying Misinformation About Its History and Origins

One of my pet peeves is Tai Chi instructors who misrepresent information to potential students regarding Tai Chi. A case in point is a recent online advertisement offering Tai Chi classes that stated: “Tai Chi is a 4,000-year-old practice and one of the best-known martial arts of the internal systems from ancient China, based on Qigong and Taoist principles. Tai Chi originates from Qigong, a discipline with roots in traditional Chinese medicine.“

Let’s examine these claims one by one.

First, there is no evidence that “Tai Chi is a 4,000-year-old practice.” Tai Chi, as a martial art, is believed to trace its origins back approximately 600 years to the legendary figure Zhang San Feng, although no clear evidence confirms this. Zhang San Feng is said to have developed Tai Chi as both an exercise and a martial art. However, the first historically documented instance of Tai Chi being practiced dates back around 400 years, originating with Chen Wangting (1580–1660). While Tai Chi incorporates principles influenced by older philosophical traditions, such as Taoism, the claim that Tai Chi is a 4,000-year-old practice is grossly overstated.

Next, the assertion that Tai Chi is based on Qigong is misleading. There is no historical evidence that directly links Qigong or similar breathing systems to the development of Tai Chi. While Tai Chi incorporates breathing, relaxation, and qi cultivation—key elements also found in Qigong practices—the Chen style of Tai Chi is primarily a martial art. It should also be noted that the term ‘Qigong’ only came into common use in the 1950s. Prior to that, exercises involving breathing and energy cultivation existed but were not referred to as Qigong. Many people mistakenly assume that references to breathing in the Dao De Jing (Tao Te Ching) imply the practice of Qigong, but this is an assumption rather than a proven fact. There is no historical evidence directly linking early breathing practices to Qigong as we understand it today.

As for the claim that “Tai Chi originates from Qigong, a discipline with roots in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)”, this is also inaccurate. As stated above, the martial art of Tai Chi is about 400 years old, and Qigong, as a term, is a relatively recent development from the 1950s. The idea that Qigong has roots in traditional Chinese medicine is not fully substantiated either. The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine (Huangdi Neijing)¹, widely considered the foundational text of acupuncture and TCM, does not mention Qigong explicitly. While it discusses breathing as an important factor in regulating qi and maintaining health, it does not describe structured breathing exercises like those found in modern Qigong practices. Qigong has only become associated with TCM in the past 25 or 30 years, and it is not a foundational part of early Chinese medicine.

In summary, Tai Chi originated as a martial art approximately 400 years ago, with its first historical documentation linked to Chen Wangting. There is no evidence to suggest that Qigong is a precursor to Tai Chi. While both practices involve breathing and qi cultivation, they developed independently, and the association between Qigong and Tai Chi, particularly within traditional Chinese medicine, is a more recent interpretation that emerged in the mid-20th century.

Therefore, it’s important to present accurate information to the public rather than sensationalizing the art. The history of Tai Chi is not a secret; there are many reliable sources available that explain its historical development. By doing thorough research, we can ensure that the information we share is accurate and helps deepen students’ understanding of this remarkable practice.

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¹The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine (Huangdi Neijing) is thought to have been compiled between 475 BCE and 220 CE. Scholars generally believe that its compilation occurred over several centuries, with contributions from various authors during this time.