Baguazhang
Baguazhang (Eight Trigrams Palm) is a Chinese internal martial art known for its signature circular walking patterns, fluid palm changes, and spiraling body movements. Rooted in Daoist cosmology and meditative principles, Baguazhang emphasizes dynamic movement, evasive footwork, and whole-body coordination. It is both a fighting system and a method of internal cultivation, blending martial efficiency with health and energy development. Practitioners train to generate power through rotation, balance, and adaptability in motion. Baguazhang’s graceful yet powerful techniques make it one of the most visually distinctive styles in Kung Fu.
Baguazhang Essentials
About Baguazhang
Get to know Baguazhang – an internal Kung Fu art focused on continuous movement, circular footwork, and palm-based techniques rooted in Daoist theory and battlefield survival.
Baguazhang History
Explore the origins of Baguazhang, from its legendary founder Dong Haichuan to its development within Qing dynasty imperial guards and the evolution of various family lineages.
Philosophy & Approach
Understand how Baguazhang blends Daoist principles, the I Ching, and martial theory into a system emphasizing change, fluidity, and harmony in both combat and life.
Techniques & Style
Discover key components like circle walking, palm changes, evasive turning, and joint-locking strikes. This section highlights Baguazhang’s signature blend of agility and precision.
Traditions & Etiquette
Learn about traditional teacher-student relationships, ceremonial practices, and etiquette that preserve the lineage and philosophical depth of Baguazhang training.
Uniform & Symbols
Baguazhang practitioners often wear traditional Kung Fu uniforms reflecting school identity, with symbolic references to trigrams, Daoist elements, and spiral energy flow.
Weapons
Dive into the unique weapons of Baguazhang, including the deer horn knives, straight sword (jian), and staff—each used to train timing, spiraling power, and strategic footwork.
Ranking System
While some schools adopt modern ranking systems, traditional Baguazhang emphasizes skill progression, lineage recognition, and internal development over formal belt structures.
Baguazhang Glossary
Explore essential terms like “Zhan Zhuang,” “Bagua stepping,” or “Palm Change.” This glossary helps decode the philosophical and technical language unique to Baguazhang.
Notable Figures
Meet the legendary and modern masters of Baguazhang—from Dong Haichuan and Cheng Tinghua to contemporary teachers preserving diverse branches and innovations.
Branches & Organizations
Learn about the main lineages and schools of Baguazhang worldwide, such as Cheng, Yin, and Gao styles, and the organizations upholding their training methods and philosophies.
Competitive Format
Baguazhang is traditionally non-competitive, but some schools engage in forms competitions or integrated sanda formats. Learn how modern events adapt its fluid techniques.
