Wu Tan New England - Martial Arts Research and Development Center

May this year brings amazing opportunities and abundant success to you. Happy
Chinese New Year！新年快樂！

武壇新英格蘭兒童隊 - Wutan New England Children’s team

People often ask about the meaning of Wutan emblem. Below is a very nice translation to English made by Master Vincent Mei of Wu Tan USA - NJ 美國紐澤西 武壇 of the deep meaning of the emblem. I also should add that in our School branch A silhouette of Master Dai Shi Zhe 戴士哲 was added to the emblem to represent that we come from the Yun Hai Wutan 雲海武壇 branch, Master Dai's school and to pay tribute to him for his immeasurable knowledge and dedication.

繼許秋德師兄委任，翻譯『武壇徽章的意義』成英文，終於完成！僅供參考：
Tasked by brother Hsu Qeo-De to translate the “Meanings of the Wu Tan Emblem” into English, finally done!

The Definition of the Wu Tan Wheel Emblem

The wheel emblem of the Wu Tan organization is minimal but aesthetically pleasing. It can be separated into two layers; the inner layer is being divided into a top half being white and the bottom half being black, the outer ring layer is being divided into eight sections; eight curved strokes radiate outward in a clockwise direction.

Although the Wu Tan emblem has a visually minimalistic design, but it carries deep and rich meanings behind the simple line strokes; the inner and outer layers; represents that all things in the universe has its inner and outer aspects; which means while everything in this world has an exterior expression of some sort, but there must be the inner aspect that holds the reasons and causes. To a person, it refers to one's appearance and behavior and one's sophistication of knowledge and characteristics that hidden within; then, when refers to martial arts, it interprets the inner and outer practice of the skills, another aspect is the practicality versus theoretical. Thus, not just martial arts, when learning anything, one must thoroughly understand both the inside and outside of the subject matter, then reached a mastery state to the arts.

The inner part of the emblem also represents "Tai Chi". The top white and bottom black are referring to "yin" and "yang." Within the “Liang Yi (Yin Yang),” there naturally lies the "Four Conditions (Si Xiang)." Then expressed on the outside, we have the eight radiating outer "BaQua" rings. The black and white represents the eight extreme opposites that exist in the universe: heaven and earth, positive and negative, intention and material, emptiness and solidness, hard and soft, movement and stillness, forward and backward, obtain and lose... However, the oppositions are not absolute, nor are they in hostility or compliments one and others. This deep philosophy can be applied to martial arts, as well as the basis of our lives, should be taken into more in-depth thinking and further explored. The essence of the Wu Tan wheel emblem design lies in those eight curved lines that radiate out from the center TaiChi. Instead of being eight straight lines, they curve in a clockwise direction, which resembles the above eight conditions that occur over "time." From as large as a planet to as small as an atom, how all existence work cohesively in a circular, balanced, complementary, and sustainable fashion. This reflects perfectly to the ancient phrase: "Men should tirelessly pursue self enrichments as the universe never rests."

What are the "Si Xiang" (the Four Conditions) that lies within Ying Yang mean? They can be referred to as: "Training, Conditioning, Practice, Sustain," "Cold, Hot, Empty, Relax," and "Stable, Peace, Calm, and Consider." Studying Martial Arts, there are four stages when it comes to one's age and procedures. First stage, at a young age, one should begin training, in Chinese, the phrase "Shune Lien (training)" means "to continuously explained, taught, and lectured," and none-stop repetitive practice, then one can establish a solid foundation. Second stage, during the teenage years, one should go through further conditioning training. Conditioning here means to increase the training effort onto a well-foundation trainee to evolve into the elite amongst the people. The third stage is the application and improvement throughout adulthood. This means one should take the already well-crafted skills and improve upon through constant application and tests. Lastly, during the mature age of life, one needs to nourish and sustain, complete the system, and making sure the lineage gets to pass on without loss in quality. Other than the above mentioned four stages, there are four essences, they are "Cold, Hot, Empty, and Relax," which means physically, one must often maintain the state of: "Head(thoughts) to be calm(cold), feet must be hot, stomach should be empty, and muscles must be relaxed." On the spiritual aspects: "Thoughts must be clear, heart must be sincere and passioned, keep an open mind, and emotionally must be leveled and neutral.
Regarding "Stable, Peace, Calm, and Consider" refers to the basics of self-cultivation, but when applied to martial arts practice, it means our structure must be stable and sink. When in combat, one must keep a peaceful mindset, not to take impulsive actions. When attacking, one must take safety measures and prevent revealing weaknesses. When being defensive, one must consider all the possibilities of the opponent being fake.

Lastly, what does the Ying Yang Tai Chi represents? It is "Sincerity." "Sincerity" is multi-layered; it does not just mean the typical meaning os being genuine; it involves hardworking, concentration, and consistency. In terms of studying martial arts, if one can apply a "sincere" attitude from inside-out, then that individual shall achieve.

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原文：
本壇徽章的構圖非常簡明而美觀，它分內外兩個層分，內層部分的中心圖又分成上、下兩半，上一半為白色，下一半為黑色，外層部分為一環形，又分成八等分；每一等分不以向外輻射之直線間隔，而係以順時針方向之曲線間隔之。

本壇徽章的構圖雖然簡 明，但是它的意義卻是非常深奧而豐碩的；內外兩個層分，象徵著宇宙間萬物都具有內外或表裏的兩個層面；亦即每一事物固然均有其外在的現象或形態，但亦必均含蓄著內在的道理或因果機緣：對人而言，則是指形之於外的身體髮膚和言行，以及存之於內的學識修養和心性；再就武術而論，那一方面是指內外的雙重功夫，另一方面也是指實際和理論。要之，不僅是學習武術，縱然是其他的一切事物，都必須要內外兼修；融會貫通，合而為一，方能大成。

構圖中內層的中心圓又象徵著天元的『太極』。上下的白黑兩個半圓，則代表『兩儀』，『兩儀』之內自然暗含著『四象』，而顯示於外的都是外圍環形中八個等分的『八卦』。黑白兩色的相對性即象徵著天地、陰陽、心物、虛實、剛柔、動靜、進 退及得失等宇宙間的八種事象也均是相對的，它們不是絕對的，也不是敵對的，而更恰當的說應該是相輔相成的。其中的玄奧與哲理，可用之於習武，也是人生的根本，應該加以深思探討。而本壇徽章的精義所在是構圖中外圍環形的分隔線不是直線，而是順時針方向流轉的曲取線，這正象徵了上述八種事象隨著時光的流逝，如同大至星球小至原子的運轉一般不停地相互運作，相輔相成，生生不息而成萬事萬物，這也就是所謂的『天行健，君子以自強不息』的道理。

『兩儀』內暗含的『四象』是什麼呢？那即是『訓練、鍛練、修練、修養』，『冷、熱、空、鬆』及『定、靜、安、慮』。學習武術，在年齡和程序上有四個層次：第一是幼少年時期要接受訓練，『訓』練就是『川流不息地說明、教導和告誡』以及覆斷演，才能奠立良好的基礎。第二是青少年時期要接受鍛練，鍛練就是要將一個逐漸成熟而有基礎的可造之材用更嚴厲的條件和要求使其接受千錘百鍊而成為國之棟樑與人中豪傑。第三是青壯年時期要進行修煉，修煉就是指對已經學成採定型的仍要自己不斷的研究修改，以求日新又新，發揚光大。第四是老年時期要進行修養，修養就是對既有的效果要善加修護保養，不使衰退而能有傳承。此外，習武練身有四個要訣，那就是『冷、熱、空、鬆』，意思是在生理上要經常保持『頭要冷、腳要熱、胃要空、肌要鬆』，在精神上則要做到心思冷靜理智、心態熱忱恭謹、心胸空闊開朗、心情輕鬆自然，而定、靜、安、慮』主要是修養心性的基本法則，但用在武術上則可提示我們動作時姿勢宜保持穩定﹝重心宜低﹞，過招宜以靜制動﹝不要妄動﹞，出招宜注意安全，〔不留空檔〕，接招宜考慮虛假〔防敵變招〕。

然則，天元的『太極』又象徵著什麼？那就是『誠』。『誠』的意義是多層次的，它不只是一般所說的誠實、誠懇。而所謂的『不誠無物』、『誠之所至，金石為開』，其中即包含著勤奮、專精和持恒的道理，學習武術，如果能以此至『誠』之心，由內而外，篤實踐履 『誠 』的道理，最後必有所成。

中秋節快樂! Happy Mid-Autumn festival to all the students, friends and family of Wutan!

Happy Chinese New Year to our family and friends!

2024 is the Year of the Wood Dragon, beginning on February 10th, 2024 (Chinese New Year).
In Chinese culture, the Dragon holds a significant place as an auspicious and extraordinary creature, unparalleled in talent and excellence. It symbolizes power, nobility, honor, luck, and success. 2024 is forecasted to bring about opportunities, changes, and challenges. If you’re seeking a shift in your current lives, this year might offer a favorable chance!

We wish all your goals and dreams are reached this year!

#武壇 #功夫 #國術

Finally we hung our Wutan Membership on the school wall. #武壇 #劉雲樵

Past Sunday, Sophie (7) and Valerie (4) represented Wutan, participating in the Chinese Martial Arts Autumn Invitational in Maynard, MA. We are so proud, not only because they got 2nd place🥈 and 3er place 🥉 respectively in empty hands form division, but also because of the way they performed their respective routines and the way they enjoyed it. It's easy to see when a child is doing what they love for themselves and without pressure. They looked so happy. Way to go girls!!!!

Shifu
Luis Mendez

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival to all our family and friends! 中秋節快樂！