Taijiquan was created just before the end of the Ming dynasty by Master CHEN Wangting (1600-1680). It originated in Chenjiagou, a small village in the district of Wenxian (Henan Province, China).

Chenjiagou is just North of the Yellow River, about 600 km SW of Beijing.

CHEN Wangting incorporated the principles and philosophy of Chinese medicine, such as the theory of yin & yang, acupuncture meridians and Qi Gong to form a new art which became  known as Taijiquan.

Taiji can be translated as 'supreme ultimate', a reference to the harmonious existence of opposites (yin & yang). Quan means fist, implying a system of boxing.

Taijiquan is therefore a system of boxing utilising the principles of yin & yang.

Nowadays it is  mostly practised for its enjoyment and its  health benefits.

The other four major styles of Taijiquan (Yang, Wu, Hao & Sun) all developed from Chenjiagou Taijiquan

A short history of Taijiquan :