Bagua Zhang (Pa Kua Chang) - Eight Trigrams Fist Fighting
Bagua Zhang founded by martial artist Dong Haizhuan (1813 - 1883) consists of a vivid motion system that improves a practitioner' s nimbleness and ability to react. It is characterized by rapid yet nimble changes in direction and by efficient hand techniques used to quickly throw the opponent off balance. Bagua Zhang's movements are based on the eight directions and their basic form is a circle. This circle reflects the system's philosophic background because just like Xingyi Bagua Zhang is founded on Daoist philosophy stating that everything is subject to constant change and an everlasting cycle. Therefore, Bagua Zhang's philosophy underscores the need that a fighter must be able to adapt to changing conditions during a fight. While the straight-forward martial art of Xingyi stresses offense, Bagua is focusing on defense. Special emphasis is placed on evasive manoeuvres and using the opponent's force to one's own advantage.
The name Bagua means "eight trigrams" and shows that this martial art is based on the "Yijing", the Book of Change. The eight trigrams of the Yijing are mirrored in Bagua's eight basic stances:
Bada shi - eight basic stances
- Zhuanzhang shi Changing hands.
- Bimen shi Closing the door.
- Xianshu shi Offering a book.
- Zhilu shi Showing the way.
- Shizi baoqiu shi The lion holding a ball.
- Yaozi zuantian shi The sparrowhawk soaring to heaven.
- Qinglong panzhu shi The blue dragon winding itself around a pillar.
- Zhanchi shi Spreading the wings.
Of the many Bagua forms the "Lao Bazhang Form" ("The Old Eight Palms Form") is of special importance. It is a basic Bagua Zhang exercise consisting of eight motion groups. Its name refers to Bagua founder Dong Haizhuan. Since many other forms have developed out of this 150-year-old form the Lao Bazhang is also called
"Bamu Zhang" ("The mother form of Bagua Zhang"). Its other name
"Bianshi Zhuanzhang" ("Changing stances", "Changing hands") refers to the form's movements.
Since the over 150-year-old Lao Bazhang form has been taught by different masters to various students the form saw a lot of changes in the course of time. These changes lead to six different forms sharing the same basic pattern.
An old legend is proof for Bagua Zhang's close relation to Xingyi, which is also based on Daoism, the Yijing and the Five Elements: At the end of the 18th century Bagua founder Dong Haizhuan was challenged by the founder of Xingyi. It is said that their duel lasted three days and since neither one was able to defeat the other the two men decided that their martial arts should hence be taught together.
The following Bagua forms are currently taught at WuYuan:
- Badashi (Eight Basic Stances)
- Traditional Bagua forms: Lao Bazhang, Xin Bazhang
- Coming up: Bagua Lianhuan Zhang, Bagua Jian (sword form), Bagua doubles routines
