Forms Library · CodexLast reviewed Oct 19, 2026
32-Form Tai Chi Sword
三十二式太极剑
1957 年国家体委运动司编定 · 32 movements · 3–4 min · Free
Counting · The form is numbered 1–32 across four groups of eight, performed on two return trips. 预备势, 起势 and 收势 stand outside the numbering — the official description is "除起势、收势外共 32 个动作" — and are listed without a number.
Derivation · Simplified from the Yang-style sword tradition (杨式太极剑) into thirty-two representative techniques, part of the 1950s state popularization series alongside the 24 Form.
Naming · The publication gives no English names; the English below are common translations. The traditional pictorial aliases vary between editions and are recorded as traditional aliases, not official names.
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Preparation Posture
预备势
- Stand with the feet together facing due south, body upright, crown lightly suspended, arms hanging at the sides.两脚并立、面向正南，身体正直、虚领顶颈，两臂自然垂于体侧
- The left hand holds the sword with the point up, the blade lying flat along the back of the left arm; the right hand forms the sword fingers.左手持剑，剑尖向上、剑身垂贴左臂后；右手成剑指
- Relax throughout, shoulders sunk and elbows heavy, waist loose and hips tucked, breathing natural — calm mind, loose body.全身放松、沉肩坠肘、松腰敛臀，呼吸自然——心静体松
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Commencing Posture (Three Rings Around the Moon)
起势（三环套月）
- Step the left foot out; raise both arms and sink into a crouch pressing down. Turn and swing the arms, then draw up the sword hand in a T-step.左脚开步；两臂前举、屈蹲下按；转体摆臂、丁步挑掌
- Bend the elbow and step up into a bow stance to point forward; then cover-step threading the sword, sit back and open the arms, and step up again to receive the sword.屈肘上步、弓步前指；盖步穿剑、坐盘展臂；再屈肘上步、弓步接剑
- The settled direction is due east. In the bow stance the feet are about 30 cm apart laterally; the torso stays natural — do not force the chest out or the abdomen in, and keep both shoulders sunk.定势方向正东；弓步时两脚横向距离约30厘米；上体自然，不故意挺胸收腹，两肩松沉
Group 1 · Movements 1–8
01
Feet Together, Pointing Sword
并步点剑（蜻蜓点水）
- Bring the left foot in to a feet-together stance; the sword traces a vertical circle at the left side and points down and forward, the point at knee height, sword fingers at the inside of the right wrist.左脚并拢成并步；剑在体左侧划一立圆后向前下点，剑尖与膝同高，剑指附于右腕内侧
- Circle with the wrist alone — do not raise the arms.绕剑只用腕绕环、两臂不可高举
- The point is driven through thumb, ring and little fingers, the force reaching the tip; shoulders sunk, torso upright.点剑以拇指、无名指、小指着力，力达剑尖，沉肩、上体正直
02
Standing on One Leg, Reverse Thrust
独立反刺（大魁星式）
- Withdraw the right foot and draw the sword back, the ball of the foot landing first with the toes turned out about 45°; close the foot, lift the sword, then lift the knee and thrust in reverse.撤步抽剑（右脚后撤，脚前掌先着地，脚尖外撇约45°）→扣脚提剑→收脚挑剑→提膝反刺
- Lift the left knee as high as you can, shin and foot turned slightly inward to guard; the knee faces forward, aligned above the left elbow.左膝尽量上提，小腿与脚掌微内扣护裆；左膝正对前方、与左肘上下相对
- The right hand holds the sword with the palm facing out and the blade level.右手举剑手心朝外，剑身水平
03
Crouch Stance, Sweeping Cut
仆步横扫（燕子抄水）
- Withdraw a step and chop, press the sword in the crouch stance, pivot the foot and sweep, then settle into the bow stance.撤步劈剑→仆步压剑→撇脚扣脚扫剑→弓步定势
- The blade stays parallel to the ground, the force in the middle and front of the edge.剑身与地面平行、力在剑刃中段（剑身前端）
- Rising from the crouch into the bow stance, the torso does not tip forward and the hips do not protrude.由仆步转弓步时上体不前倾、不突臀
04
Horizontal Carrying to the Right
向右平带（右拦扫）
- Draw the foot in and draw the sword (palm up), step forward and extend the sword about 30° right of the centre line, then carry into the bow stance.收脚收剑（手心朝上）→上步送剑（方向与中线约30°偏右）→弓步带剑
- The right palm turns over to face down.右手翻掌手心朝下
- Carry in a straight line, the force on the edge.直线平带，力在剑刃
05
Horizontal Carrying to the Left
向左平带（左拦扫）
- Draw the foot in and draw the sword with the palm turned down, step out about 30° left of the centre line, then carry left into the bow stance.收脚收剑（翻掌手心朝下）→上步送剑（方向与中线约30°偏左）→弓步左带
- The right palm turns over to face up; the sword travels a straight line.右手翻掌手心朝上，直线平带，剑走直线
06
Standing on One Leg, Whirling Chop
独立抡劈（探海势）
- Draw the foot in and turn, join the hands and whirl the sword; step up raising the sword, then lift the knee and chop.收脚转体、合手抡剑→上步举剑→独立劈剑
- Lifting the knee, the shin and foot turn slightly inward to guard.提膝时小腿与脚掌微内扣护裆
- Chop with the shoulders sunk, the force reaching the front of the edge.劈剑沉肩、力达剑刃前段
07
Stepping Back, Drawing Back the Sword
退步回抽（怀中抱月）
- Step back raising the sword so the hilt is at eye height, then draw it back into an empty stance.退步提剑（剑柄高与眼平）→虚步抽剑
- The point sits level with the head; the chest hollows, the hips tuck, and the weight shifts back evenly.剑尖高与头平，含胸敛臀，重心后移平稳
08
Standing on One Leg, Upward Thrust
独立上刺（宿鸟投林）
- Turn and pad-step due east, then lift the knee and thrust upward.转体垫步（方向正东）→提膝上刺
- The point rises above the head; the supporting leg holds firm and the torso does not lean back.剑尖高过头顶；支撑腿站稳、上体不后仰
Group 2 · Movements 9–16
09
Empty Stance, Downward Block
虚步下截（乌龙摆尾）
- Withdraw a step, turn and swing the sword with the right palm facing in, then block downward in an empty stance.撤步转体摆剑（右手手心朝里）→虚步下截
- The right empty stance faces about 30° north of east while the head turns to look about 45° south of east.右虚步方向为东偏北约30°，转头目视东偏南约45°
- The feet are no more than 10 cm apart laterally.两脚横向距离不超过10厘米
10
Left Bow Stance, Sword Thrust
左弓步刺（青龙出水）
- Step back raising the sword with the point about 30° to the front-left and the edge upward; close and pivot the foot to withdraw the sword, draw the foot in and turn the palm up, then thrust level into the bow stance.退步提剑（剑尖指向左前约30°，剑刃朝上）→扣脚转体撤剑→收脚收剑（翻掌手心朝上）→弓步平刺
- The bow stance points about 30° north of east, the feet about 30 cm apart, the force reaching the point.弓步方向为东偏北约30°，两脚横向距离约30厘米，力达剑尖
11
Turning the Body, Diagonal Carrying
转身斜带（风卷荷叶）
- Close and pivot the foot drawing the sword in, lift the knee and extend it with the palm turned down, then turn and carry right, stepping about 30° north of west, and settle.扣脚收剑→提膝送剑（翻掌手心朝下）→转体右带（上步方向为西偏北约30°）→弓步定势
- Turning, stepping and carrying are all driven by the waist; the sword travels a diagonal line with the force on the edge.转体、上步、带剑皆以腰带动，剑走斜线、力在剑刃
12
Shrinking the Body, Diagonal Carrying
缩身斜带（狮子摇头）
- Lift the foot and draw the sword in, withdraw a step and extend it, then carry left into a T-step.提脚收剑→撤步送剑→丁步左带
- The right palm turns to face up; shrinking the body hollows the chest and tucks the hips, keeping the weight settled.右手翻掌手心朝上；缩身时含胸敛臀、重心沉稳
13
Lifting the Knee, Holding the Sword
提膝捧剑（虎抱头）
- Withdraw a step and extend the sword with the hands joined and the edge up, part the hands in an empty stance, then lift the knee holding the sword.撤步送剑（合手剑刃朝上）→虚步分剑→提膝捧剑
- Lift the right knee as high as you can, above the horizontal; both hands hold the hilt, the blade level.右膝尽量上提、高过水平线；两手合捧剑柄、剑身平稳
14
Jumping Step, Horizontal Thrust
跳步平刺（野马跳涧）
- Lower the foot and draw the sword in, thrust level with the sword at chest height, part the hands on the jump, then thrust level into the bow stance.落脚收剑→捧剑前刺（剑与胸平）→跳步分剑→弓步平刺
- The jump is light with a stable landing; the thrust goes straight forward, the force reaching the point.跳步轻灵、落地平稳；平刺方向正前、力达剑尖
15
Left Empty Stance, Lifting Cut
左虚步撩（小魁星式）
- Draw the foot in and circle the sword — the right hand lifting first, arcing past the face to meet the left hand — then pad-step and circle again, and lift the sword in a left empty stance.收脚绕剑（右手先提剑，划弧经面前与左手相合）→垫步绕剑→虚步左撩
- The empty stance faces due west; the lift travels from below upward with the force in the front of the edge.虚步方向正西；撩剑自下而上、力在剑刃前段
16
Right Bow Stance, Lifting Cut
右弓步撩（海底捞月）
- Draw the foot in, turn and circle the sword, pad-step and circle again, then lift into the right bow stance.收脚转体绕剑→垫步绕剑→弓步右撩
- Sit into the hips and sink the shoulders; the point sits slightly below the wrist, the waist leading so body and sword move as one.坐胯沉肩，剑尖略低于手腕；以腰带剑、身剑合一
Group 3 · Movements 17–24
17
Turning the Body, Drawing Back
转身回抽（射雁式）
- Close and pivot the foot, turn and draw the sword in with the hilt at ear height and the eyes on the point; pivot out and chop into the bow stance about 30° south of east; then sit back, draw the sword and point forward in an empty stance.扣脚转体收剑（剑柄高与耳平，眼看剑尖）→撇脚弓步劈剑（方向东偏南约30°）→后坐抽剑→虚步前指
- Both the empty stance and the sword fingers point about 30° south of east; the hilt stays at ear height as the sword is drawn back.虚步方向与剑指所指方向均为东偏南约30°；抽剑时剑柄高与耳平
18
Feet Together, Horizontal Thrust
并步平刺（白猿献果）
- Turn and shift the step, then thrust level with the feet together.转体移步→并步平刺
- The palm faces up, both legs straighten, and the sword is level with the chest.平刺时手心朝上，两腿立直，剑与胸同高
19
Left Bow Stance, Blocking
左弓步拦（迎风掸尘）
- Turn and circle the sword, step up and circle again, then block in the bow stance.转体绕剑→上步绕剑→弓步拦剑
- The bow stance points about 30° north of east; the hilt is opposite the left brow — keep the shoulder sunk.弓步方向东偏北约30°；剑柄对着左额角，注意沉肩
20
Right Bow Stance, Blocking
右弓步拦（迎风掸尘）
- Pivot out and circle the sword, draw the foot in and circle again, then block in the bow stance.撇脚绕剑→收脚绕剑→弓步拦剑
- The bow stance points about 30° south of east; the hilt is at head height opposite the right brow, shoulder sunk.弓步方向东偏南约30°；剑柄与头同高并对右额角，沉肩
21
Left Bow Stance, Blocking
左弓步拦（迎风掸尘）
- Pivot out and circle the sword, draw the foot in and circle again, then block in the bow stance.撇脚绕剑→收脚绕剑→弓步拦剑
- The same direction as movement 19 (about 30° north of east), hilt opposite the left brow, shoulder sunk.与第19式同向（东偏北约30°）；剑柄对左额角，沉肩
- Movements 19, 20 and 21 are three consecutive blocks — left, right, left — not a duplicated entry.19／20／21 为左—右—左三次拦剑，不是笔误
22
Advancing Step, Reverse Thrust
进步反刺（顺水推舟）
- Cover-step drawing the sword in, both hands joining at the waist with the blade close to the body; turn and thrust behind from a high resting stance with the weight between the feet and the eyes on the point; then thrust in reverse into the bow stance.盖步收剑（两手在腰间合手、剑贴身）→转身后刺（高歇步，重心在两脚之间、眼看剑尖）→弓步反刺
- The hilt is at head height and the point level with the throat; the reverse thrust drives to the tip.剑柄与头同高，剑尖高与喉平；反刺力达剑尖
23
Turning Back, Returning Chop
反身回劈（流星赶月）
- Close and pivot the foot, turn and draw the sword in; lift the foot raising the sword, then chop into the bow stance.扣脚转体收剑→提脚举剑→弓步劈剑
- The bow stance points about 30° north of west; the chop sinks the shoulders with the force on the edge.弓步方向西偏北约30°；劈剑沉肩、力在剑刃
24
Empty Stance, Pointing Sword
虚步点剑（天马行空）
- Settle the fingers and draw the foot in; turn, part the hands and raise the sword with the left heel landing, facing due south; lower the sword into the bow stance, then point in the empty stance.落指收脚→转体分手举剑（左脚跟落地，方向正南）→弓步落剑→虚步点剑
- The point is driven to the tip with the wrist supplying the force; the empty stance holds firm with the torso upright.点剑力达剑尖、腕部发力；虚步站稳、上体正直
Group 4 · Movements 25–32
25
Standing on One Leg, Horizontal Supporting
独立平托（挑帘式）
- Insert-step and circle the sword with a wrist flower before joining both hands, turn and smear level, then lift the knee supporting the sword.插步绕剑（右手一个腕花后两手相合）→转体平抹→提膝托剑
- The support is above the head with the blade level; the lifted knee holds firm and the torso does not lean back.托剑高于头顶、剑身横平；提膝站稳、上体不后仰
26
Bow Stance, Hooking and Chopping
弓步挂劈（左车轮剑）
- Turn and hook the sword, then chop into the bow stance.转体挂剑→弓步劈剑
- The hook travels a vertical circle and the chop reaches the front of the edge, the waist driving the arm.挂剑走立圆、劈剑力达剑刃前段；以腰带臂
27
Empty Stance, Whirling Chop
虚步抡劈（右车轮剑）
- Turn and whirl the sword, then chop in the empty stance.转体抡剑→虚步劈剑
- The whirl pivots on the shoulder with the waist driving the arm; the empty stance links on from the previous movement with the weight stable.抡劈以肩为轴、以腰带臂；虚步方向与前式衔接，重心稳
28
Retreating Step, Counterattack
撤步反击（大鹏展翅）
- Withdraw the step and turn to counter with a chop about 30° south of east.撤步→转身反击劈剑（方向东偏南约30°）
- The withdrawal and the counterattack happen together; the sword travels a diagonal with the force on the edge.撤步与反击同步，剑走斜线、力达剑刃
29
Advancing Step, Horizontal Thrust
进步平刺（黄蜂入洞）
- Lift the foot with the sword held across, settle and turn the wrist over, then thrust level into the bow stance.提脚横剑→落脚翻手腕→弓步平刺
- The thrust drives to the point, the bow stance and the thrust completing together.平刺力注剑尖；弓步与刺剑同步到位
30
T-Step, Drawing Back
丁步回抽（风扫梅花）
- Close and pivot the foot, turn and raise the sword, then draw it back with the hand reversed into a T-step.扣脚转体提剑→丁步回抽（反提）
- The hilt is at head height; the T-step holds firm with the chest hollowed and the hips tucked.剑柄与头同高；丁步稳、含胸敛臀
31
Spinning, Horizontal Smearing
旋转平抹
- Swing the step with the sword held across, close the step and turn the body, then smear level into the bow stance through one full turn.摆步横剑→扣步转体→弓步平抹（转体一周）
- The waist drives the sword and the blade stays level with the force on the edge; the turn stays steady.以腰带剑、剑身平，力在剑刃；转身平稳不晃
32
Bow Stance, Straight Thrust
弓步直刺（指南针）
- Draw the foot in and draw the sword in, then step up and thrust straight into the bow stance.收脚收剑→上步弓步直刺
- The thrust goes straight forward at chest height, the force driving to the point.直刺方向正前、剑与胸同高，力注剑尖
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Closing Posture
收势
- The right hand holding the sword arcs along the side with the turn, the point upward, and rises to chest height; both hands part and lower slowly as the left foot draws in to close the stance.右手握剑随身体转动沿体侧划弧，剑尖朝上提至胸前；两手缓慢分开下落，左脚收拢成并步还原
- Breathe long and settle the breath low, the movement slow and even, the mind calm.呼吸深长、气沉丹田，动作缓慢均匀，心平气和
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