About Baguazhang
Baguazhang
(Pa Kua Chang)
is one of the three major styles of chinese internal martial arts (the
others being Taijiquan (Tai Chi) and Xingyiquan (Hsing I), whose basic
premise is that softness (looseness) overcomes hard strength
(stiffness).Although Baguazhang has both systemised and spontaneous methods, as well as both linear and circular forms, it is most widely known for its circular, twisting and spiralling movements and 'circle walking' forms.
Baguazhang expresses the power of the eight trigrams of the I Ching in its movements resulting in powerful martial,as well as healing, applications.
The I Ching
The I Ching (also 'yijing'), or the 'Book of Changes' describes the constant flux and nature of change of the universe.
The idea that everything changes has emerged through many cultures and systems, from the buddhist concept of 'annicia' (everything passes), to the scientific concept that "the only constant in the universe is that everything changes".
The Iching is a comprehensive framework for mapping the changes that occur in our selves (microcosm) and the universe (macrocosm).
The Iching provides this by relating 64 manifestations / combinations / permutations of the Yin~Yang principle. Broken and unbroken lines symbolising Yin an Yang are drawn in groups of three (trigrams) to describe the eight major forces/manifestations. These are then combined with one another to get the 64 hexagrams.
It is said that when one can understand the changes that exist within the Iching, one can understand the universe and himself. A comprehensive system of divination has arisen from this understanding of the I Ching and the way it can accurately describe patterns of change in the universe.
The Eight Trigrams and their meanings in Baguazhang
This
list describes:- the general meaning ie: the quality, attitude, type, or movement of energy
- the healing action of the qigong method, when the palms are held either while walking the circle or as a standing qigong
- the fighting method and movements used in the bagua animal forms (although each animal also has its own qigong method)
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Qian trigram
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Expansive energy, the sky.
Qigong Method
“This heals the head,” including the mind and spirit, as well as the physical structure.
Fighting Method
LION system of interlocking palm, using:
sweeping, cutting, chopping, hooking, shocking, blocking, seizing, grasping movements
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Kun trigram
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General Meaning
Receptive energy, that which yields.
Qigong Method
“This heals the left side of the torso,” including the organs on that side of the body, the skin, bones, and muscles tissues.
Fighting Method
UNICORN system of reversing the body palm, using:
sticking, adhering, soft, following, hip, striking, chopping, cutting movements
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Zhen trigram
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Excitation, revolution, division.
Qigong Method
“This heals the middle of the torso,” (particularly, but not exclusively, the digestive system).
Fighting Method
DRAGON system of holding and lifting palm, using:
pushing, lifting, carrying, leading, moving, capturing, chopping, entering movements
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Xun trigram
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Gentle penetration, flexibility.
Qigong Method
“This heals the lower spine and ming-men.”
Fighting Method
PHOENIX system of windmill palm, using:
dodging, extending, chopping, shocking, transforming, removing, curling in, cutting movements
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Kan trigram
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Danger, rapid rivers, the abyss, the moon.
Qigong Method
“This heals the kidneys.”
Fighting Method
SNAKE system of moving with the force palm, using:
shoulder, elbow, knee, hip, shooting, binding, entrapping, grasping movements
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Li trigram
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Rapid movement, radiance, the sun.
Qigong Method
Fighting Method
ROOSTER (or Hawk) system of lying step palm, using:
dodging, extending, rising, shifting, entering, whipping, rushing, stabbing movements
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Gen trigram
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General Meaning
Stillness, immovability.
Qigong Method
“This heals the neck and upper part of the spine.”
Fighting Method
BEAR system of turning back palm, using:
rushing, penetrating, withdrawing, carrying, leaning, shocking, soft, following movements
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Dui trigram
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General Meaning
Joy, satisfaction, stagnation.
Qigong Method
“This heals the right side of the torso,” including the organs on that side of the body, the skin, bones, and muscle tissues.
Fighting Method
MONKEY system of enfolding palm, using:
bending, thrusting, straightening, hooking, chopping, swinging, stopping, ending movements
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