Wu Mei Symbols

Wu Mei Plum Blossom Logo

The five petals of the Wu Mei Pai logo represent the five extremities - head, two arms, and two legs, their movement ranges, and the five elements (Wu Hsing) - metal, earth, fire, water, and wood. These elements have creation and destruction orders that are a model for martial strategy. The eight stamens represent the eight trigrams of the I Ching (Book of Changes) and eight directions.

The stamens are equal in length from the center, representing Wu Mei Pai's principle of force in all directions. The small dots at the end of the stamens represent the release of force out of the extremity but still within the range of movement.

The plum blossom blooms in the winter and appears without leaves. This flower therefore represents strength under adversity. It is the national flower of Nationalist China in Taiwan.

Performance Space Layout

The design of the 25^th Anniversary performance space is a result of the confluence of Eastern and Western architectural and philosophical concepts. The primary elements of the design spring directly from the symbol of Wu Mei Pai, the Plum Blossom. This symbol in turn embodies and signifies a number of meanings, which have been previously discussed.

An arena/theater in the round configuration for the demonstration area was chosen as an expression of the spatial nature of the Wu Mei forms. In these forms, the player moves through space in all directions, and faces in all directions. No single direction or heading is favored; no location in the auditorium has a position of privilege for viewing the forms. Instead, through the continuously changing movement of the player, the audience is able to observe this kinetic, spatial art form from many viewpoints. In turn, the player is reminded of the infinite possibilities of movement in three-dimensional space.

The materials used in the design of the space are purposefully selected for their lightness and flexibility. This allows various elements of the design to become subject to the movement of the players, the audience, and the environment. The ‘Ba Gua’ canopy provides a field on which to read movement by way of light and air. The ‘Plum Blossom’ lanterns present a luminous origin from which potential is realized. Combined, these elements define a center while reaching out to embrace the extremities of the entire space, and to draw all occupants together in a shared experience.