History of The T’ai Chi Ruler 

The T’ai Chi Ruler’s origin remains unclear, part of the legends of old China. We know that the ruler itself, or "chi" (pronounced “chur”—as in “church”), was probably just that­—a measuring device slightly less than a foot long. 

Some sources say it might have been made from sword handles or a small scepter which was a badge of office carried by nobles, administrators, and scholars to signify someone holding special status in society.  And we also know it was used in a series of exercises for the purpose of promoting good health.

Unfortunately for us, it is also unknown who actually created these exercises.  The predominant legend is that the T’ai Chi Ruler and the movements associated with it were devised by a famous Daoist hermit named Chen Tuan (aka Chen Bo), who lived around 900 AD. 

A Noble Form

Chen was a friend and retainer to the first emperor of the Song Dynasty, who engaged him as a teacher and advisor.  Some historians surmise that as part of his duties Chen Tuan created these exercises to foster good health in his employers using what raw materials he had on hand in the palace.  

Thus it is credible that he might have hit upon using a carpenter’s measuring tool, spare sword handles, or badges of office to create an exercise set for his royal students that was easy to learn and practice, especially since many of them were probably in poor shape due to leading the indolent life of wealthy aristocrats.   

Regardless of who created the T’ai Chi Ruler form, it has been passed down to us—like many martial arts forms—through oral transmission. We have no contemporaneous written documents describing it because the printing technology of the period was still quite primitive (brush and ink), and it was rare to make and disseminate multiple copies of a document in the quantities necessary to survive the ravages of time.  

So if the role of Chen Tuan as the T’ai Chi Ruler creator and the royal instructor is true, then the form was most certainly disseminated mouth-to-ear by the emperor’s descendants and picked up by later martial artists and qigong practitioners as its use and popularity spread outside the clan.  

Ruler Tai Chi™ Classes in Greeley, CO

Regardless of its history, the exercise set I teach in my classes and workshops is one of the more popular ones existing today and is practiced by many qigong enthusiasts throughout the world. Through much research and many years of practicing t'ai chi in many of its forms, I created these forms based on the Yang family short form, as developed by Professor Cheng Man-Ch’ing (Zheng Manqing). 

The ruler fighting forms adhere to the principles of t'ai chi ch’uan and can take on an opponent wielding either traditional or modern weapons. My hope is that Ruler Tai Chi™ honors what the initial creators intended and that modern practitioners can both improve their physical and mental health and gain a deep appreciation for this ancient practice as I have.

Alongside t'ai chi workshops, I regularly teach Ruler Tai Chi™ classes in Greeley and around Northern Colorado. I’d love to have you join me if you’re local. You can also join the online Chen Tuan Society for exclusive online content and to be the first to know about upcoming events.

Continue reading my website for even more knowledge, instruction, and ruler purchase information.