Bāguàzhǎng (八卦掌) is one of the three major internal Chinese martial arts, the other two being Xingyiquan (形意拳) and Taijiquan (太極拳).

Bāguàzhǎng literally means "eight trigram palm," referring to the trigrams of the Yijing, one of the canons of Taoism. In some styles of Baguazhang these diagrams can refer to eight animals, upon which movements in those fighting systems are based.

The trigrams and their corresponding animals in martial arts are:

Similar types of animal systems exist in other types of Chinese martial arts.

The practice of circle walking is bagua's characteristic method of stance and movement training. Practitioners walk around the edge of a circle in a low stance, facing the center and periodically changing direction as they execute forms. Students first learn flexibility through such exercises, then move on to more complex forms and internal power mechanics. The internal aspects of bagua are very similar to those of xingyi and tai chi. Eventually, many distinctive styles of weapons training are practiced, sometimes including the uniquely crescent-shaped deerhorn knives, and the easily concealed "scholar's pen." Baguazhang is also known for sometimes practicing with extremely large weapons, such as the Bāguàdāo (八卦刀), or 'Bagua Broadsword.' In many schools, students study both xingyi and bagua. These may be used together in fighting, as they are often complementary. Bagua contains an extremely wide variety of techniques, including various strikes, low kicks, joint techniques, throws, and distinctively circular footwork.

The creation of Ba Gua Zhang, as a formalised martial art, is attributed to Dong Haichuan (董海川) in the early 19th century, who apparently learned from Daoist, and possibly Buddhist, masters in the mountains of rural China. There is evidence to suggest a synthesis of several pre-existing martial arts taught and practiced in the region he lived in, combined with Taoist circle walking. Dong Haichuan taught for many years in Beijing, eventually earning patronage by the Imperial court. Famous disciples of Dong to become teachers were Yin Fu (尹福), Cheng Tinghua (程廷華), Song Changrong (宋長榮), Liu Fengchun (劉鳳春) and Ma Weiqi (馬維棋). Although they were all students of the same teacher, their methods of training and expressions of palm techniques differed. 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" (梅花 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 practitioners practice either the Yin (尹), Cheng (程), or Liang (梁) styles of Bagua, although Fan (樊), Shi (史), Liu (劉), and other styles also exist.

Of all of Dong Haichuan's students, Yin Fu studied with him the longest. Yin Fu had multiple students, of them Men Baozhen taught Xie Peiqi. In An Interview with Xie Peiqi, dated to 1999, Xie stated that his teacher, Men Baozhen, was considered to be the third best pupil of Yin Fu, after "Wan Tong" Li and Ma Gui (Yin's oldest disciple). Dr. Xie died in 2003 and his top student, He Jinbao, is now teaching the system.

Another famous Bagua practitioner of the 20th century was Sun Lutang (孫録堂), who studied Baguazhang under Cheng Tinghua. Sun was also a Xingyiquan disciple of Guo Yunshen (郭雲深) and learned Wu/Hao style Taijiquan from Hao Wei-chen. Sun Lutang was reputed among the Taijiqhuan professionals of his day to have excelled in his studies and subsequently became well known as the founder of Sun stylde Taijiquan.

Few good teachers of Baguazhang are available in the United States, and many do not advertise. Many are conservative and in line with Confucian didactic tradition will only reveal internal practices to dedicated students. Known forms (routines) of Bagua Zhang include Fixed Form Eight Palms (定式八掌), and the Old Eight Palms (老八掌) form, as well as many others

Schools

Beijing has the most Baguazhang practitioners, including students of the Cheng, Fan, Liang, Liu, Song, and Yin lineages. In Taiwan, most practitioners are of either Gao Yisheng (Cheng), Gong Baotian (Yin) lineages, Sun Xikun (Cheng), or Sun Lutang (Cheng) lineages. In Hong Kong, almost all practitioners are of the Fu Zhensong (mixed) or Gao Yisheng lineage.

References

• Robert W. Smith, "Chinese Boxing", ISBN 155643085X
• Bok Nam, Park & Dan Miller, "The Fundamentals of Pa Kua Chang: The Methods of Lu Shue-Tien As Taught by Park Bok Nam.", ISBN 0865681732
• Shou-Yu, Liang, "Baguazhang : Emei Baguazhang Theory and Applications", ISBN 0940871300

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