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From the Zhou dynasty (1046-256 BCE) until the late 16th century (in the Ming dynasty), silk functioned like currency or gold. Depending on their status as farmers or silk weavers, households paid taxes in grain or bolts of silk; yet even farmers often paid with silk instead of grain. From the Warring States Period (475-221 BCE) on, the government controlled the quality of silk, establishing set standards for weight, colour, size, and type of weave.

The earliest silk weaves were plain, decorated at most with very simple geometric designs. Very quickly, by the Western Zhou dynasty (1046-771 BCE), artisans were already able to weave and embroider multi-coloured silk. And after the introduction of the drawloom in the fifth-fourth centuries BCE, craftspeople could produce extremely complex figured designs. For the most part, these luxury fabrics were made into furniture decorations and personal items rather than into garments. However, during the Tang dynasty (c. 618-905 CE), the Han elite, influenced by ethnic nomadic groups who wore silk fabrics, also began making clothes out of silk.

 

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Silk Reeling

MOCAP Visualization: GENSUBLIME
Tai Chi Performer: Master Lam Siu Mei

Silkworms spin silk to create cocoons around their own bodies. The silk is harvested by collecting these cocoons, unwinding the silk thread and reeling it onto spools in a circular motion. These spools are then attached to a loom where silk threads intersect to weave beautiful, soft silk.

In Tai Chi Kung Fu, the term ‘Silk Reeling’ is used to describe a kung fu technique and the rules of engagement for fighting. The ‘Silk Reeling’ technique is like the unwinding and then spooling of silk. Internal energy is emitted from the dantian (central core) and moves in a spiral through the waist, hips and legs, becoming the driving energy for the whole body. This technique also incorporates principles like the constant equilibrium between the states of yin and yang. The circular energy of ‘Silk Reeling’ can also be used to redirect an opponent’s counter-moves against themselves, just like wrapping them in a silk cocoon. Through this technique, the opponent’s attacking moves are restrained and tied up in a series of continuous circular movements, rendering their attack and resistance useless.