Wuji

Wuji, written 無極 in Chinese, is a term used in Daoist philosophy and in the traditional Chinese martial arts to describe the concept of the limitless or undifferentiated state preceding the emergence of the world. In Daoist cosmology, Wuji denotes a primordial emptiness or neutrality from which Taiji (太極, the Great Ultimate) arises; Taiji then differentiates into Yin and Yang, whose interaction drives the cycles of change and the evolution of all things. As such, Wuji is not a god or person but a principle or stage in the cosmic process, often associated with stillness, boundlessness, and non-dual potential.

In practice, Wuji also refers to a basic training posture in internal martial arts, particularly tai chi and related styles. The Wuji stance is a neutral, relaxed posture with feet shoulder-width apart and knees soft, used at the beginning and end of forms to establish alignment, breathing, and calm intention. From this still point, movements unfold in a controlled, continuous sequence.

The term has broader cultural resonance in Daoist meditation and qigong, where Wuji symbolizes a return to emptiness or original state before action. Translations vary, but the core sense remains the same: a primal, limitless origin preceding differentiation and movement.