Tai Chi vs Taiji / Qigong vs Chi Kung

"I have seen Tai Chi spelled differently, is it the same art or something different?"

Why do we see so many different ways of spelling Tai Chi?

Translating the original characters

When investigating Tai Chi & Qi Gong you will find a number of different spellings for these methods. This can sometimes confuse people and can seem that there are different or unique arts with similar names. In fact, the reason for the difference is very simple, it is a difference in how the Chinese Characters are translated into English Letters. There are 2 main methods for converting Chinese into English characters are:

Wade Giles - T’ai Chi Ch’uan & Ch’i Kung or Tai Chi Chuan & Chi Kung
Pinyin - Taijiquan & Qigong or Taiji Quan and Qi Gong


All are describing the same techniques and systems however, they are simply different interpretations of the Chinese Characters.

Why do we use the Wade-Giles spelling for Tai Chi and the Pinyin Spelling for Qigong?

Correct combination vs common combination 

Simply put these are the most commonly recognised spellings to the western audience. When you ask most people to spell Tai Chi, they will use the Wade-Giles version, when you ask most people to spell Qigong, they will use the Pinyin version.

Although strictly incorrect, using these two methods of translation interchangeably has become the norm in the world of Tai Chi, with multiple world organisations and events adopting this pattern of spelling. Such as World Tai Chi & Qi Gong Day

We follow this lead to ensure that the maximum number of people searching for these amazing practices find our useful resource.

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