Observing Movement

In Chinese Chess ( 象棋 Xiangqi) there are 7 pieces: the General (將 Jiang), Advisors, Elephants, Horses, Chariots, Cannons, and Soldiers.

In a checkmate the General flies across the board to capture the other player's General, a move called 飛將 Fei Jiang (Flying General).

Elephants (象 Xiang)have a limited movement and can only move if they're unobstructed, called having an open field (田 Tian) to move in. When the movement of the Elephant is blocked it's called 'Obstructing the Elephant's Eyes' (象眼塞 Xiang Yan Sai).

When one is so focused on the Checkmate/ Endgame (飛將 Fei Jiang) they don't see the power of Elephant's movements, or it's inability to move. Which became 'When one is so focused on the Fly buzzing around in front of their face, they can't see the Elephant in the field charging towards them.'

In the Chinese Martial Arts it means when you're only looking at the end product (the movement of the hands and feet) you don't see the powerful movements of the body that make the end movements of the hands and feet possible. Or you're so focused on the flashy movement of the hands you don't see the root of the hand's power - the body. Or the English translation - not seeing what's hidden in plain sight.



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