Bagua Zhang
This style of internal martial arts is recognizable by its fluid
palm techniques, body pivots and circle walking. Believed
to have been created by an imperial eunich, Dong
Hai-Chuan in the mid 1800's, its philosophy stems from the
ancient I-Ching text (Book of Changes) that dates back to
2000 BCE.
Bagua Zhang (Eight Diagram Palm) is known as a martial
art that is effective in defending simultaneously against
multiple opponents. Quick evasive movements, circling,
and coiling are performed in response to attacks from
different directions. It is said that attempting to combat a
Bagua stylist is as frustrating as trying to catch a fish with
your bare hands.
Like the Tai Chi practitioner, the Bagua stylist's
movements are relaxed, supple, smooth and continuous.
However, while the Tai Chi practitioner will usually practice
at a slow steady pace, the Bagua practitioner will vary his
rhythm and change directions quickly. Highly evasive
footwork and snake-like body movements are
characteristic of this style.
In most martial art styles, prior to striking, the practitioner
will stabilize himself in order to issue power from a firmly
rooted or grounded posture. In Bagua training, the
objective is to develop a "moving root" where powerful
strikes may be issued while the feet are in constant motion.
The basic Bagua training involves "circle walking".
Because the Bagua circle walking requires constant
movement and transition of weight, maintaining root at all
times is difficult and so the beginner must spend a lot of
time "walking the circle".
palm techniques, body pivots and circle walking. Believed
to have been created by an imperial eunich, Dong
Hai-Chuan in the mid 1800's, its philosophy stems from the
ancient I-Ching text (Book of Changes) that dates back to
2000 BCE.
Bagua Zhang (Eight Diagram Palm) is known as a martial
art that is effective in defending simultaneously against
multiple opponents. Quick evasive movements, circling,
and coiling are performed in response to attacks from
different directions. It is said that attempting to combat a
Bagua stylist is as frustrating as trying to catch a fish with
your bare hands.
Like the Tai Chi practitioner, the Bagua stylist's
movements are relaxed, supple, smooth and continuous.
However, while the Tai Chi practitioner will usually practice
at a slow steady pace, the Bagua practitioner will vary his
rhythm and change directions quickly. Highly evasive
footwork and snake-like body movements are
characteristic of this style.
In most martial art styles, prior to striking, the practitioner
will stabilize himself in order to issue power from a firmly
rooted or grounded posture. In Bagua training, the
objective is to develop a "moving root" where powerful
strikes may be issued while the feet are in constant motion.
The basic Bagua training involves "circle walking".
Because the Bagua circle walking requires constant
movement and transition of weight, maintaining root at all
times is difficult and so the beginner must spend a lot of
time "walking the circle".
This book is a good introduction to the
history, philosophy and applications of
Bagua Zhang. A collaborative works
between Master Liu Xing-Han (1909-2000)
and John Bracy. Liu Xing-Han was the last
living disciple whose name is etched on
the tomb of Dong Hai-Chuan (founder of
the Bagua art).
history, philosophy and applications of
Bagua Zhang. A collaborative works
between Master Liu Xing-Han (1909-2000)
and John Bracy. Liu Xing-Han was the last
living disciple whose name is etched on
the tomb of Dong Hai-Chuan (founder of
the Bagua art).
"More than a team, we're brothers"
Copyright 2007 KUNGFUBROTHERS.COM All Rights Reserved
Eric Yao & Jiang Jian-Ye, Texas 2001
The bagua symbol is
composed of 8 patterns
of dash and bar trigrams.
The broken dash
represents "yin", the solid
bar represents "yang".
This arrangement of
trigrams is known as the
"Fu Hsi" or "Early
Heaven" arrangement,
composed of 8 patterns
of dash and bar trigrams.
The broken dash
represents "yin", the solid
bar represents "yang".
This arrangement of
trigrams is known as the
"Fu Hsi" or "Early
Heaven" arrangement,
representing balance and stillness. (Note the top
trigram of three solid bars lies opposite to the
bottom trigram of three broken dashes)
trigram of three solid bars lies opposite to the
bottom trigram of three broken dashes)
This arrangement of
trigrams is known as the
"King Wen" or "Later
Heaven" arrangement,
representing infinity and
continuous development.
The philosophy and
theory of bagua zhang
stems from the
combination of both of
these symbols
trigrams is known as the
"King Wen" or "Later
Heaven" arrangement,
representing infinity and
continuous development.
The philosophy and
theory of bagua zhang
stems from the
combination of both of
these symbols
Jiang Jian-Ye from Shandong, China is a well
known internal marital arts instruction located in
Albany, New York and has a HUGE series of
instructional videos. He regularly visits
tournaments in the U.S. and conducts seminars.
known internal marital arts instruction located in
Albany, New York and has a HUGE series of
instructional videos. He regularly visits
tournaments in the U.S. and conducts seminars.
The Deer Hook Swords are one of the
unique weapons of the Bagua style.
Demonstrated by Yang Jwing-Ming
and Liang Shou-Yu.
unique weapons of the Bagua style.
Demonstrated by Yang Jwing-Ming
and Liang Shou-Yu.
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KUNGFUBROTHERS.COM
KUNGFUBROTHERS.COM
This book is a very comprehensive
textbook on the theory and practice of
Bagua Zhang. Written by Park Bok
Nam, disciple of Lu Shui-Tien
(1894-1978)
textbook on the theory and practice of
Bagua Zhang. Written by Park Bok
Nam, disciple of Lu Shui-Tien
(1894-1978)