Assignment 2
1. How many steps of Taiji (太极) are we practicing? Can you list at least FIVE of them? Is it in Yin or Yang style?
2. What does each word mean in the context of Taiji (太极)?
3.We used red paper with dragon and phoenix pattern in papercutting. What do the dragon and phoenix symbolize in Chinese culture? Why red is a popular color in papercutting? Can you find any connections to the Yin Yang theory?
4. The movie we watched this Wednesday is called Taiji Zhang San Feng《太极张三丰》. Zhang San Feng (张三丰) is a person who invented Taiji in this movie. Did he invent Taiji in real life? Or is it a folklore? Does he have any influence in Chinese culture?
Useful links, copies and videos for this assignment are as following:
1. History of Taiji
https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/articles/a-brief-history-of-tai-chi-in-china/
2. Taiji Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=HDYZ9QAekDE
3. Color in Chinese culture
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_in_Chinese_culture
4. Paper cutting
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_paper_cutting