Peng
掤
Literally: ward off
Also known as: Ward Off
Peng (掤) is one of the four basic taiji gates with an expansive quality, which one source compares to an inflating balloon.
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Katas containing this technique
About
Peng (掤), known in English as ward off, is one of the eight gates of taijiquan. According to one source it has an expansive, opening quality, which it compares to an inflating balloon. In this it differs from the gate lu, which instead retreats and absorbs incoming force. Peng belongs, together with lu, ji and an, to the four basic gates; the eight gates (ba men) are completed by cai, lie, zhou and kao. In the simplified 24-posture form, peng opens the group of four movements called Lan Que Wei (in English Grasp Sparrow's Tail), followed by lu, ji and an. It is applied in tui shou (push hands), where the eight gates serve practitioners to unbalance, displace or defeat one another. Tui shou is also held as a competition, which one source compares to judo or wrestling; whoever is pushed out or pulled down loses a point. We have not been able to document who first described peng.