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Ba Gua
Introduction : History : The Name : Curriculum : Articles
General History
There are a great many different versions of Ba Gua's ancient origins, but the common thread
begins in the late 19th century in Beijing, [Hebei Province] China. Dong Hai Chuan, is usually given the honor of being the art's
founder, or openly teaching it to the public, under the name of "Zhuan Zhang," or "Turning Palm." Present evidence suggests he was the popularizer rather than the founder.
One such story says that Dong became a member of the Quanzhen (Complete Truth) sect of Taoism,
who practiced a method of walking in a circle while reciting certain mantras. Circle walking was also used in other sects in both India, Burma and China as well as in Tibet.The practice was designed to quiet the mind and
focus the intent; in other words self-hypnosis. One researcher named Kang said that Dong later combined the circle-walking with his martial
art skills from his previous studies to create a new style.
As with almost any martial art, the various versions and flavors of Ba Gua that we have today
are the results of modifications passed down by Dong's primary students, and other training protocols which flowed into China from
India and probably Tibet. These have also been modified by later generations of students.
Different teachers emphasized different things; different personalities, physiques and interests shaped the art; different
martial backgrounds and expertise were added; all these things helped mold and shape the art into the various methods bearing the
names of its main contributor.
Our "Gao" style, for instance, has as its main influence "Gao Yi Sheng," a student of Cheng
Ting Hua's, who studied directly under Dong Hai Chuan himself and others.
Some of Dong Hai Chuan's original students were:
· Yin Fu
· Cheng Ting Hua
· Song Yong Xiang
· Liu De Kuan
· Li Cun Yi
· Ma Wei Qi
· Liang Zheng Pu
· Zhang Zhao Dong
· Shi Ji Dong
· Liu Feng Chun
· Quan Kai Ting
· Song Chang Rong
· Liu Bao Zhen
· Fan Zhi Yong
· Wei Ji Xiang
Most of the styles in existence today can trace their roots to either Yin Fu, Cheng Ting Hua,
or Liang Zheng Pu as an original student of Dong's. The Gao style claims it comes from a lineage older and outside Tungs lineage.
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