Once again, this blog came about because a student (from my Yang Short Form class), asked about the significance/meaning of “Step Up to Seven Stars”. I enjoy researching and looked forward to finding out. As usual (and totally expected by now), I discovered numerous interpretations and theories.
One must keep in mind that the names of postures/stances are often similar across different martial arts styles and lineages. However, the actual meaning/interpretation may be attributed to the particular style, lineage, or even one or more particular schools. For brevity (and clarity) I will use the term “Seven Stars”, instead of Step to Seven Stars, and other possible iterations.
I found quite a few conflicting and thought provoking theories on the Martial Arts Stack Exchange.
Many Tai Chi and Qigong practitioners felt that Seven Stars refer to seven points on the body that can be used to deflect or strike. Namely, going from top to bottom, the head, shoulders, elbows, hands, hips, knees, and feet! Unfortunately, this is not “standard”. Is there such a thing??? In certain Tai Chi forms/styles/lineages, the Seven Stars are considered the (again top to bottom): head, upper back, chest, lower back, hand, foot, and the heel!
In "Tai Chi Postures & Internal Power Enhancement Taijiquan Shi" by Xu Yu-Sheng, it states that the Seven Stars are the seven joints of the upper torso which “unite as one”. Accordingly, Qi “rises and settles below” with the seven above rising (without effort) resulting in complete roundness. In this context, the Seven Stars are: two shoulders, two elbows, two wrists, and, of course, one neck!
In Qigong, Seven Stars refers to the “Qi-input” points in the body: top of the head, two for the shoulders, two near the waist, and two more at the back of the hips! Needless to say, movements must be done without any tension in the body.
In the Wu/Yang lineage of Hong Kong Tai Chi Master, Chen Tin Hung, Seven Stars is a two-partner method to train for timing, distance, and evasion. Within the style, and in a number of martial methods, Seven Stars is a guard posture.
Supposedly, there is a Seven Stars bell on the top of Wudang mountain. The Seven Star aspect of the big dipper also correlates with the seven regions of China.
One popular theory has to do with the seven brightest stars of the constellation, Ursa Major (aka the Great Bear). What we, in North America, call the Big Dipper, is known as “The Seven Stars of the Northern Dipper” in Eastern Asia. In Chinese: 北斗七星; and in pinyin: běidǒu qīxīng.
It is believed that the term, Seven Stars, “has its root in Chinese Taoist symbolism”. Of interest, the Northern Dipper is considered one of the most important constellations in Taoism because they believe that it is the seat of the “celestial bureaucracy of the gods”.
Seven Stars is also part of an ancient Wu-style Tai Chi Form. Traditionally, one steps forward with the left foot while raising the left arm. The right arm is pushed down and points the palm to the ground. This move is believed to “represent the gathering of energy from the sky, the earth, and the surrounding environment.”
In contrast, you frequently observe Seven Stars performed by moving your weight onto your left leg as you turn your left heel 90 degrees. Your right foot is then lifted and the ball of your right foot is placed down, while you cross your fists in front of you. Most often, the left fist is closer to your chest, although there are exceptions in certain styles. The left fist is considered Yin and the right is considered Yang. Obviously, there are numerous martial applications available to the practitioner at this point.
Seven Stars can also be a defensive move. In Qigong, it is a “method to 'open' the seven input (star) points of the body to allow 'outer Qi' to enter and be mixed with our prenatal Qi.” In this instance, the Seven Stars are: your crown, both sides of your neck, both of your shoulders, and your butt (buttocks).
There is a very lively (and complex at times) discussion in the Yang Family forum on the martial aspects of Seven Stars. The forum consists of a vast array of details, interpretations, and theories. Discussion also compared the teachings and styles of different Yang Tai Chi Masters regarding Seven Stars.
One of the debates involved whether or not Seven Stars is a “block” or an “intersect”. Or is it a “rack”? Evidently, Master Yang Jun indicated, in a seminar, that in the Saber Form, Seven Stars was a “ward off with the left arm and a punch to the chin with the right fist.” Question - is that true of a bare-hand form as well?
Six is the “endless knot” and eight is the “bagua”. Seven does not have a number, and is supposedly “more mysterious”. According to at least one theorist, one should then consider that Seven Stars symbolism may pertain to the Chakra System, where seven refers to the seven colors.
Bottom line: There are a never-ending number of interpretations that exist. There is NO one answer, no interpretation, or theory. If you want to know what Seven Stars refers to in a particular martial art, it would be wise to ask the practitioner of that art. Not to say that their interpretation or theory is the correct one, but it may prove to be enlightening and unique.
Here are a few video examples depicting Seven Stars for your viewing pleasure, if you so desire.
Master Yang Jun (right hand on the outside of the crossed fists):https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSxILzGhaXE
Another similar interpretation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2cmGr6tDMw
Yet another similar interpretation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bix2U-UAGc
Different interpretation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8Ju5BDAZeM
Video (Yang) with right hand inside the crossed fists: https://www.google.com/search?q=Step+up+to+7+stars+in+Tai+Chi&rlz
Same instructor doing Chen 27: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjSYoiAAXzY
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