Baguazhang - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baguazhang

Baguazhang
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Baguazhang (Chinese: ; pinyin: Bgu

Zhng) is one of the three main Chinese martial
arts of the Wudang school, the other two being
Taijiquan and Xingyiquan. It is more broadly
grouped as an internal practice (or neijia gong).
Bgu zhng literally means "eight trigram palm,"
referring to the trigrams of the I Ching (Yijing),
one of the canons of Taoism.[1][2]

Baguazhang
()

Contents
1 History
2 Modern styles
2.1 Common aspects
3 In popular culture
4 See also
5 Notes
6 References
7 External links

Sun Lu-t'ang performing "Lion Embraces the Ball".

Also known as

Bagua quan, Bagua zhang,

Pakua chang, Pa-kua chang

Hardness

Internal (neijia)

Country of

China

origin

History

Creator

Dong Haichuan
(attributed)

Famous
Yin Fu,
The creation of Baguazhang, as a formalised
practitioners
Cheng Tinghua,
martial art, is attributed to Dong Haichuan (
), who is said to have learned from Taoist and
Ma Gui,
Buddhist masters in the mountains of rural China
Liang Zhenpu,
[3]
during the early 19th century. It must be noted
Fu Chen Sung,
that many Chinese authorities do not accept the
Gao Yisheng,
Buddhist origin, instead maintaining that those
Jiang Rong Qiao,
teachers were purely Taoist in origin, in fact they
Sun Lutang
were Taoist priests, the evidence lying in
Olympic sport
No
Baguazhang's frequent reference to core concepts
central to Taoism, such as Yin and yang theory, I
Ching and Taoism's most unusual paradigm, the Bagua diagram.[4][5] The attribution to Buddhist
teachers came from the 2nd generation teachers i.e. Dong Haichuan's students, some of whom were
Buddhist. There is evidence to suggest a synthesis of several pre-existing martial arts taught and
practised in the region in which Dong Haichuan lived, combined with Taoist circle walking. Because
of his work as a servant in the Imperial Palace he impressed the emperor with his graceful
movements and fighting skill, and became an instructor and a bodyguard to the court.[6] Dong
Haichuan taught for many years in Beijing, eventually earning patronage by the Imperial court.[7]

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Famous disciples of Dong Haichuan to become teachers were Yin Fu (), Cheng Tinghua (
), Ma Gui (), Song Changrong (), Liu Fengchun (), Ma Weiqi (), Liu
Baozhen (), Liang Zhenpu () and Liu Dekuan (). Although they were all
students of the same teacher, their methods of training and expressions of palm techniques
differed.[2] The Cheng and Liu styles are said to specialize in "pushing" the palms, Yin style is
known for "threading" the palms, Song's followers practice "Plum Flower" ( Mei Hua) palm
technique and Ma style palms are known as "hammers." Some of Dong Haichuan's students,
including Cheng Tinghua, participated in the Boxer Rebellion. In general, most bagua exponents
today practice either the Yin (), Cheng (), or Liang () styles, although Fan (), Shi (), Liu
(), Fu (), and other styles also exist. (The Liu style is a special case, in that it is rarely practiced
alone, but as a complement to other styles). In addition, there are sub-styles of the above methods as
well, such as the Sun (), Gao (), and Jiang () styles, which are sub-styles of Cheng method.

Modern styles
Yin Style: Yin Fu ()
Cheng Style: Cheng Tinghua ()
Liang Style: Liang Zhenpu ()
Gao Style: Gao Yisheng ()
Jiang Style: Jiang Rong Qiao ()
Shi Style: Shi Jidong ()
Song Style: Song Changrong and Song Yongxiang ()
Fan Family Style: Fan Zhiyong ()
Liu Style: Liu Baozhen ()
Ma Style: Ma Weiqi ()
Ma Gui Style: Ma Gui ()
Gong Baotian Style: Gong Baotian ()
Sun Style: Sun Lutang ()
Fu Style: Fu Zhensong ()
Yin Yang Style (Tian Style): Tian Hui ( )
Ho Ho Choy Baguazhang: He Kecai ()

Common aspects
The practice of circle walking, or "turning the circle", as it is sometimes called, is Baguazhang's
characteristic method of stance and movement training. All forms of Baguazhang utilize circle
walking prevalently as an integral part of training. Practitioners walk around the edge of the circle in
various low stances, facing the center, and periodically change direction as they execute forms.[8] For
a beginner the circle is six to twelve feet in diameter.[6] Students first learn flexibility and proper
body alignment through the basic exercises, then move on to more complex forms and internal power
mechanics. Although the internal aspects of Baguazhang are similar to those of Xingyiquan and
Taijiquan, they are distinct in nature.
Many distinctive styles of weapons are contained within Baguazhang; some use concealment, like
the "scholar's pen" or a pair of knives (the most elaborate, which are unique to the style, are the
crescent-shaped deer horn knives (Chinese: ; pinyin: Ljiodo). Baguazhang is also known
for practicing with extremely large weapons, such as the bgu jian (), or bagua sword, and

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Internalist Zhang
Zhaodong, also known as
Zhang Zhankui.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baguazhang

the bgu do (),

or bagua broadsword.
Other, more conventional
weapons are also used,
such as the staff (gun),
spear (qiang), crutch
(guai), hook sword (gou)
and the straight,
double-edged sword
(jian). Baguazhang
practitioners are also
known for being able to
use anything as a weapon
using the principles of
their art.

Fu Zhensong with a large bagua saber.

Baguazhang contains an
extremely wide variety of techniques as well as weapons, including
various strikes (with palm, fist, elbow, fingers, etc.), kicks, joint locks,
throws, and distinctively evasive circular footwork. As such, Baguazhang is considered neither a
purely striking nor a purely grappling martial art. Baguazhang practitioners are known for their
ability to "flow" in and out of the way of objects. This is the source of the theory of being able to
fight multiple attackers.[9][10][11] Baguazhang's evasive nature is also shown by the practice of
moving behind an attacker, so that the opponent cannot harm the practitioner.
Although the many branches of Baguazhang are often quite different from each other (some, like
Cheng style, specialize in close-in wrestling and joint locks, while others, like some of the Yin styles,
specialize in quick, long-range striking), all have circle walking, spiraling methodologies, and certain
methods and techniques (piercing palms, crashing palms, etc.) in common.
Baguazhang's movements employ the whole body with smooth coiling and uncoiling actions,
utilizing hand techniques, dynamic footwork, and throws. Rapid-fire movements draw energy from
the center of the abdomen. The circular stepping pattern also builds up centripetal force,[12][13][14]
allowing the practitioner to maneuver quickly around an opponent.[15][16][17]

In popular culture
Airbending in Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra is modeled on bagua
zhang.[18]
Bagua zhang features briefly in the manga History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi.
The Hyga clan from Naruto use the Gentle Fist style which is based on bagua. For example,
their signature technique called Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms is derived from bagua zhang
terminology.
Ling Xiaoyu from the Tekken video game series uses bagua zhang.
In the 2010 live-action film Tekken, Jin Kazama says that he is impressed by fellow competitor
Christie Monteiro due to her foot placement while practicing bagua zhang.
Ashrah from Mortal Kombat: Deception and Kitana from Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance use
bagua zhang.

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Joscelin Verreuil from Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel's Legacy series uses a fighting style similar
to bagua zhang, which is the fighting style of the Cassiline Brotherhood.
Qu Tuang from the manga Battle Angel Alita: Last Order uses a style based in bagua zhang
called "Ahat Mastade" that is meant for fighting in zero gravity.
In the 2000 movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, the police inspector Tsai was duelling
with Jade Fox using a pair of deer horn knives, a very typical weapon of the Bagua Zhang
system.
Jet Li's character in The One uses bagua zhang, while the antagonist version of the character
uses xingyi quan.
In the 2006 movie Jadesoturi (Jade Warrior), in the Pin Yu vs Sintai fight, they used bagua
zhang as a sort of courting.
In the 2010 movie sequel Ip Man 2, one of the styles used during the tabletop fight is bagua
zhang.
In the 2012 movie sequel Tai Chi Hero, the final fights were against Bagua disciples and
master.
Kenji the Manga, The protagonist Kenji uses Bagua Zhang when dueling the main antagonist
xing yi liu he quan practitioner Tony.
The 2013 Hong Kong martial arts movie The Grandmaster featured a Northern Chinese
martial arts style called the 64 Hands, which featured the circle walking and elaborate palm
changes of Baguazhang.

See also
Baguathe eight trigrams, used as guiding principles for baguazhang.
I Chingthe Chinese Classic relied on by Taoist thinking.
Feng Shuithe metaphysical system of interior design based on the bagua.
T'ai chi ch'uan-a similar Neijia.

Notes
1. http://martialarts.about.com/od/styles/tp/Lets-Learn-About-The-Chinese-Martial-Arts-Styles.htm
2. Lie, Zhang. Classical Baguazhang Volume V: Yin Style Baguazhang. Trans. Joseph Crandall. Pinole,
California: Smiling Tiger Martial Arts 1995.
3. Yintao, Fei and Yuliang, Fei. Classical Baguazhang Volume IV: Wudang Baguazhang. Trans. Joseph
Crandall. Pinole, California: Smiling Tiger Martial Arts 1994.
4. Liang Shou-yu, Yang Jwing-Ming, Wu Wen-Ching, Baguazhang: Emei Baguazhang Theory and
Applications 1996.
5. Frank Allen, Tina Chunna Zhang, The Whirling Circles of Ba Gua Zhang: The Art and Legends of the
Eight Trigram Palm 2007 .
6. Green, Thomas A. "Martial Arts of the World" 2001
7. Jingru, Liu and Youqing, Ma. Classical Baguazhang Volume II: Cheng Shi Baguazhang (Cheng Family
Baguazhang). Trans. Joseph Crandall. Pinole, California: Smiling Tiger Martial Arts 2001.
8. Lie, Zhang. Classical Baguazhang Volume V: Yin Style Baguazhang. Trans. Joseph Crandall. Pinole,
California: Smiling Tiger Martial Arts 1995.
9. http://www.brisbanekungfu.com/ba-gua/
10. http://maguibagua.com/faq-3-martial-arts/
11. http://www.innersecrets.at/bagua.3.html#bagua
12. http://taipinginstitute.com/menu-styles/njqx/baguazhang
13. http://www.essenceofevolution.com/10internal%20mas/ep0pakua.html
14. http://www.zeigua.com/baguazhang/baguazhang_singlepalm.html
15. http://www.shenwu.com/bagua.htm
16. http://www.newcastletaichi.co.uk/Baguazhang.htm

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17. http://www.wing-chun-schools.com/bagua-fighting-art-designed-for-multiple-attackers/
18. "Nickelodeon's Official Avatar: The Last Airbender Flash Site". Nick.com. Archived from the original on
2007-10-23. Retrieved 2006-12-02.

References
Robert W. Smith, Chinese Boxing, ISBN 1-55643-085-X
Bok Nam, Park & Dan Miller, The Fundamentals of Pa Kua Chang: The Methods of Lu
Shui-T'ien As Taught by Park Bok Nam, ISBN 0-86568-173-2
Shou-Yu, Liang, Baguazhang: Emei Baguazhang Theory and Applications, ISBN
0-940871-30-0
O'Brien, Jess, Nei Jia Quan: Internal Martial Arts Teachers of Tai Ji Quan, Xing Yi Quan, and
Ba Gua Zhang, ISBN 1-55643-506-1
Frantzis, Bruce Kumar, The Power of Internal Martial Arts: Combat Secrets of Ba Gua, Tai
Chi, and Hsing-I, ISBN 1-55643-253-4
Wang Shujin, Bagua Linked Palms - Translated by Kent Howard and Chen Hsiao-Yen, ISBN
978-1-58394-264-2 (1-58394-264-5)
Wang Shujin, Bagua Swimming Body Palms - Translated by Kent Howard and Chen
Hsiao-Yen, ISBN 978-1-58394-245-1 (1-58394-245-9)

External links
The Pa Kua Chang Journal (http://pakuachangjournal.com)
ChinaFromInside presents Baguazhang (http://www.chinafrominside.com/ma/bagua.html)
Ch'iang Shan Pa Kua Chang Association - M. Park Bok-Nam (http://www.pa-kua.com/)
Greg Hatza Lineage Disciple of Park Bok-Nam (http://www.pakuachang.com/learnbaguazhang-kung-fu/)
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