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Bagua zhang (八卦掌 in pinyin: bā guā zhǎng) (Pa Kua Chang, Bagua Quan, Pa kua chuan, Bagua, Pakua, Pakua boxing, Pakua hand movements, Pa Kua circle walking) is one of the three major internal Chinese martial arts. The word literally means "eight trigram palm". The trigrams here refer to eight animal forms, or fighting systems: lion, phoenix, snake (see Snake Kung Fu), unicorn (qilin aka kirin), monkey, bear, dragon and rooster.
Similar types of animal systems exist in other types of Chinese martial arts. A type of practice called circle walking is a well known stance training system of Bagua zhang. Also, many distinctive styles of weapons training are practiced by Bagua schools.
Bagua was developed by Dong Haichuan in the early 19th century, who apparently learnt from Taoist and Buddhist masters in the mountains. Dong Haichuan taught for many years in Beijing, eventually earning patronage by the Imperial court. Famous disciples of Dong to become teachers were Yin Fu, Cheng Tinghua, Zong Changrong, Liu Fengchun and Ma Weiqi. Although they were all students of the same teacher, their methods of training and expressions of palm techniques differed. The Cheng and Liu styles are said to specialize in "Pushing" the palms, Yin style is known for "Threading" the palms, Zong's followers practice "Plum Flower" (Mei Hua) palm technique and Ma style palms are known as "Hammers." Some of Dong Haichuan's students, including Cheng Tinghua (who was killed), participated in the Boxer Rebellion.
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