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Baguazhang

Walking the circle.

An internal Chinese art of circle walking, spiralling palm strikes and constant changes of direction.

Fact file

Country
China
Founder / origin
Dong Haichuan
Year / period
19th century
Type
Internal arts
Style of
Kung Fu
Sources: Encyclopaedia Britannica

History

Baguazhang, "eight trigram palm", is an internal Chinese martial art made famous in Beijing by Dong Haichuan in the 19th century. Its main training is walking in a circle while turning the palms toward the centre.

Bagua fighters move around the attacker with spiralling steps and use open-hand strikes, throws and joint locks. Dong's students, such as Yin Fu and Cheng Tinghua, created the main lineages.