Among the first group of postures in the Taijiquan sword (Jian) form is a movement called the Chief Star, Great Star of the Literary God, Big Dipper, Big Chief Star, Major Polestar, Indicate the Major Luminary, etc. The posture is related to stories about Zhong Kui and Kui Xing.
In the Taijiquan sword form, the Great Star of the Literary God or Big Dipper or Chief Star is performed by holding the sword in the right hand above the head, extending the left hand and pointing upward with the sword fingers, and lifting the left knee in the air. The one leg is the ladle (handle) of the Big Dipper, and the hands form the sides of the cup (ladle, gourd) of the Big Dipper or Drinking Gourd; and the tip of the sword points to the Polestar or North Star. The Big Dipper or Chief Star posture is the most frequently depicted posture used to represent the Taijiquan Sword form.
For information about the symbolism, myths, and lore about this posture, I have prepared a webpage on the subject:
Great Star of the Literary God: Symbolism, Myths, Legends, and Lore
Research by Mike Garofalo
December 2007
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