The Duan ranking system in Tai Chi in China is supposed to be a formal way to measure proficiency and skill. It ranges from 1 Duan (beginner) to 9 Duan (expert), with levels 6 and above typically reserved for professionals who are not only masters in practice but also dedicated to teaching and passing on the art. Here’s a breakdown of some key routines included in the testing for different Duan levels:
- 3 Duan: For this level, you’ll be tested on the foundational 24 Movement Taijiquan form and the 32 Tai Chi Sword routine. These are essential forms for developing your grasp of both barehand and weapon techniques.
- 4 Duan: At this intermediate level, you’ll move up to more complex forms like the 42 Movement Taiji Sword routine, which adds layers of precision and balance to your sword practice.
- 5 Duan: A significant step up in skill, 5 Duan requires mastery of the 42 Movement Taijiquan, a demanding form that blends different styles of Tai Chi into a single routine, emphasizing both fluidity and control.
All of the above is what I’ve heard about the ranking system. I just wanted to share this information to let you know the difficulty level of these routines, which I do agree with.