Eight Diagrams Palm Style
(Ba Gua Zhang, Baat Gwa Jeung)

Known as Eight Diagrams Palm, this is one of the most well known styles of internal kung fu. Sources generally trace the development of Baguazhang back to the Ming Dynasty (AD 1368-1644). There are many branches of the Bagua school, such as Dong Haichuan, Youshen, Longxing, Yinyang and so on. Bagua style is very popular in Hebei province. At the core of the style is the theory of energetic change, based upon the eight divination diagrams of the Yijing (I-Ching). There are eight basic palm techniques, giving birth to sixty-four changes. Baguazhang also includes weapons training, such as double-handed broadsword, sword, staff, spear and other specialty weapons. Characteristic of bagua are its soft, circular movements that weave and intertwine utilizing the entire body.