09/26/2025
Water is yielding, formless, and gentle, yet it can erode rock, shape landscapes, and overcome rigid structures through persistence and adaptability. This metaphor is not only poetic; it serves as a foundation for the Daoist ideal of wuwei (无为), or effortless action.
以柔克刚：The Power of Softness in Taijiquan
In the world of Chinese internal martial arts, few expressions resonate as deeply as the idiom 以柔克刚 (yǐ róu kè gāng)—"to overcome hardness with softness." This simple phrase encapsulates not only the tactical essence of taijiquan but also a profound philosophical worldview that has shaped Chinese culture for millennia.
The roots of this popular idiom can be traced back to Daoist philosophy, particularly the classic text "Daodejing (Tao De Ching)" by Laozi. In Chapter 78, he observes:
天下莫柔弱于水，而攻坚强者莫之能胜。"Nothing in the world is softer and weaker than water, yet for attacking the hard and strong, nothing can surpass it."
Water is yielding, formless, and gentle, yet it can erode rock, shape landscapes, and overcome rigid structures through persistence and adaptability. This metaphor is not only poetic; it serves as a foundation for the Daoist ideal of wuwei (无为), or effortless action.
Read more at www.qi-journal.com/3469
