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The Chinese martial arts style of Tai Chi Chuan has been part of popular culture since the time of written medium. Various novels, films, and television shows that depict the lives of various wuxia shows a great display of Tai Chi Chuan. Of the various Chinese martial arts in fiction, Tai Chi Chuan is perhaps one of the most common. There are many films in which Tai Chi Chuan is displayed.

One such example of the use of Tai Chi Chuan in popular culture would be "Tai Chi Master" also known as "Twin Warriors" which is directed by Yuen Wo Ping and stars Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh. The story itself is the place of events that led to Li's character Junbao developed the style of Tai Chi Chuan.

Junbao and another talented student named Tienbo grew up together as Shaolin monks as they learned the styles of Shaolin Kung-Fu. Junbao and Tienbo get kicked out of the temple when Tienbo almost kills a fellow student for cheating. After a series of events, Tienbo enters into the army under the command of the eunuch governor, who has the "heart of a snake."

Junbao and Tienbo are separated. They meet up again. However, Teinbo is corrupted with power and betrays Junbao. Due to Teinbo's betrayal, Junbao goes mad for several days. But, he learns the art of Tai Chi Chuan. Because of that, Junbao regains his sanity. Through the movie, it depicts how Tai Chi Chuan has the calming effect of the mind and lowers ones own stress levels.

Another movie that excellently displays the use of Tai Chi Chuan would be Ang Lee's "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," which stars Chow Yun Fat and Michelle Yeoh.

The popular cartoon on Nickelodeon known as "Avatar the Last Airbender" excellently displays the use of Tai Chi Chuan through "waterbending." Tai Chi Chuan and waterbending goes hand and hand with one another. Water is a fluid while Tai Chi Chuan increases range of mobility through fluidic movements. Because of that, one could say that Tai Chi Chuan has a very strong presence in Avatar the Last Airbender.

In Stephen Chow's "Shaolin Soccer," a woman named Mui uses Tai Chi Chuan as a means to make sweet buns. Also, she uses her skills as the team's goalie.

In video game culture, Chun-Li of the famous and popular "Street Fighter" franchise is a practitioner of Tai Chi Chuan. However, her style is a mix of Tai Chi Chuan and modern day Wu Shu. Perhaps she is the first video game character that uses this famous style.

In the "Dead or Alive" series, the fighter known as Lei Fang uses the style of Tai Chi Chuan. So far, Lei Fang does an excellent display of the style.

In the Mortal Kombat series, the blind swordsman Kenshi's main hand-to-hand style is Tai Chi Chuan. Mokap is also known to use Tai Chi Chuan as one of his main styles in the game.

As Tai Chi Chuan is a popular martial arts style, expect it to be in popular culture in the future.

Learn more about this author, Can Tran.
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