Sorry this is a day later than I promised...
The three geometric shapes of the triangle, square, and circle can have many symbolic interpretations within any given martial art.
One can look at it strictly from a strategic perspective.
One can look at it from a technical perspective.
One can look at it from a philosophical or spiritual perspective.
Each perspective is valid. BUT, it is important to integrate all of the perspectives and BECOME all three shapes when you practice your particular art.
The input others have shared in this thread is encouragingÂ…it shows that there are students out there willing to look at their art from more than just a physical perspective.
The following is simply my view on how the shapes might be viewed and applied.
If one were to look at the shapes individually, that is each shape represents something specific, I would classify them in the following way:
Square = Foundation (Basics, basics, basics)
Triangle = Stance (the most stable structure is a pyramidÂ…be one)
Circle = Spirit (Awareness, humility, wisdom, and spirit are encompassed by this idea)
However, I like to view all three shapes existing within the otherÂ…each shape becomes dominant, depending on the situationÂ…and in any given situation any of the shapes may dominate. In other words they FLUX between dominance and secondary influence.
Now, letÂ’s look at what the shapes represent in the physical world. When I say square, I really mean cube, because we exist in a three dimensional world (not counting the fourth dimension of time and the fifth dimension of folded time/space). Likewise, when I say Triangle, I mean pyramidÂ…and when I say Circle, I mean sphere.
Square is the easiest to address, because it really does remain mostly in the physical plane. It refers to FoundationÂ…this means an absolutely SOLID understanding of the basic techniques of your systemÂ…Not one of the fancy maneuvers you may learn means squat without a grounding in the basics of your system. The basics are what you build your art uponÂ…if your basics are weak, your foundation is weakÂ…and hence, your whole system (note: this is referring to individuals within a system, not any given system AS a system) suffersÂ…
Strategically, the square represents moving straight forward, straight backward, or at 90 degrees to an attackÂ…
Philosophically, it represents the moral underpinnings of who you areÂ…
Spiritually, it represents stillness.
Triangle, on the physical level, refers to a strong base stance with a light upper body for maximum rooting and mobility.
On a tactical level, it certainly could represent the point of a spear…that is a “straight in and pierce the defenses” approach to an attack…On a defensive point, it may represent splitting an incoming force so that the majority of power goes around you.
Strategically, it represents stepping at angles to position yourself out of the line of fire and within range for an immediate counterattack.
On a philosophical level, it may represent the interplay between the other two shapes. It may represent the mountain we each have chosen to climb (each of us may have a different path on that mountain, however). It may represent the mountain that is lit on one side and dark on the otherÂ…the proverbial Yin and YangÂ…etc.
Spiritually, (depending on your metaphysical and religious persuasion) it could represent a “trinity,” a hierarchy of deities, a progressive level of transcendence, or YOUR place in the big scheme of things. It may show HOW we each interconnect to each other and our environment.
CircleÂ…Technically, a sphere, filled with air, can absorb and then bounce back a force applied to it. Further, if one were to examine a solid sphere closely, one would see that the sphere contacts the ground (or whatever it encounters) at a single pointÂ…BUT, the full mass of the sphere is behind that contactÂ…that is a tremendous amount of concentrated forceÂ…learn to hit like that.
Strategically, the circle can be used to develop centrifugal force (like the spinning kicks seen in TaeKwonDo) or centripetal force (like that seen in Aikido or small circle jujutsu)Â…Also, since the sphere encounters something at a single point, one can shift the center of the sphere when contact has been made to REDIRECT force. Of course, there is much more that can be said about the technical and strategic aspects of the circleÂ…you explore those.
Philosophically, one could say that for each ending is a new beginningÂ…learning never stops.
From the perspective of my particular art, circle represents centerÂ…the size of the circle changes in conjunction with the situation (whether itÂ’s strategic, tactical, or Spiritual) We move from one-point (center) in everything we doÂ…we connect one-point to our opponent (opponent is not the best word, since, according to our philosophy, we are all one) and feel his intent and react to thatÂ…we are empty when the attack occurs and return only that which was givenÂ…this is where our philosophy and martial practice overlapÂ…this is where our philosophy is expressed through physical actionÂ…
Spiritually, circle can represent many thingsÂ…from a zen perspective, it represents No-mindednessÂ…that is a mindfullness that is ever present and receptiveÂ…or a state of awareness that quite simply goes beyond descriptionÂ…it could represent the oneness of all thingsÂ…it could represent God in that there is no beginning or ending to a circleÂ…it is the shape which most easily encompasses the other twoÂ…
In reality one could easily write a book on the ideas represented by these three simple geometric shapesÂ…This has been a brief sharing of some ideas from meÂ…the ideas are mineÂ…then again, I may be full of crapÂ…so, if you can use them, greatÂ…if not, thatÂ’s OK, too.
:asian:
chufeng
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