The Eight Trigrams

The three lines in the trigrams are used in many ways to represent the joints and areas of the body. All the trigrams are read from the bottom upward and if you picture a person standing with their arms straight up in the air and starting at the bottom you can relate the lines in trigrams to the major joints and areas of the body. The top line of the trigram represents the wrists, head, and hips. The middle line represents the elbows, torso, and knees. The bottom line represents the shoulders, legs, and ankles. Solid, or Yang lines represent strength and solidity in a joint while the broken or Yin lines represent movement. The trigrams can also be turned on their side and represent a vertical view of the body, mainly showing the relationship between the torso and the arms/legs. Please understand that these are somewhat broad generalizations of the relation between the trigrams and the joints, because for obvious reasons a joint can't be kept totally unmovable throughout the movements of a technique. These are meant as guidelines that can help you understand the subtle expressions of power as you advance through the art. Learning Bagua requires serious solo work and the relationship between the trigrams and human body can serve as a guide for your own practice. Each Trigram represents a different martial system, with each system containing its own striking methods, fighting tactics, and ways of turning the circle. Not all of the animal systems have been explored since this art has until only recently been openly taught, so some of what follows is drawn from brief examples and talks of the systems.

The Qin Gu or Heaven Trigram is represented by the Lion

(sh) and is the pure Yang

trigram being the strongest and fiercest of the animals. It is also known as the father of the trigrams. The power or energy of the Qian trigram is Interlocking. Meaning the smooth transition of one strike into the next. The first strike if it fails has set up the next strike which continues in constant succession until a firm strike is landed. The Lion likes to force through an opponent, without retreat, interlocking helps to accomplish that. The Qian trigram having three solid Yang lines means that strength and solidity must be maintained when practicing the lion system. Since they are all Yang lines the twelve joints, three sections of the torso, the mind/ body/ heart must be kept solid, unbroken, and connected throughout the techniques and postures in the Lion System. The principle that the Lion contributes to Yin Style Bagua is that the mind (intention, eyes), the hands, and the feet all arrive at the same time when executing techniques. The Lion system is the all Yang trigram, its power is hard and obvious, it has horizontal and vertical strength, it turns and moves in a circle but attacks with the corners of the square. It focuses on the power of the waist and hence develops the Belt Meridan. The Opening strike is the most important waist strike. The eight strikes of the Lion system are:

1- Xio (Sweeping) 2- Ch (Cutting) Z (Smashing)

This character represents a paring knife used to slice off the skin of a fruit.

This character means to cut; like with a piece of broken glass.

This character means to split, chop, or cleave. The character for the Smashing strike

was wrong and has been changed to Cutting in order to reflect the actual method of the strike, which should be more circular and should be like cutting or splitting the skin with the knuckles. This strike contains the basics of point striking and the small circular motions aid in the effectiveness of the strike even if the points are not directly hit.

3- P (Chopping)

This character means to split, chop, or cleave.

 4- Ku (Hooking)

This character means to carry on the arm.

5- Zhn (Shocking) 6- Dng (Blocking) 7- Qn (Seizing)

do;in a difficult position.

This character means to shake.

This character means to keep off; ward off; block; get in the way of.

This character means to capture; catch; seize.

8- N (Grasping)

This character means to hold; take; seize; capture; have a firm grasp of; be able to

The Kn Gu or Water Trigram is represented by the snake

(sh). It's fighting style can

emulate a river whose energy flows around whatever obstructs its path. This energy is called moving with the force. It is the middle son and doesn't like to mess with the striking and typical methods of the other systems. It gets in close, coiling, striking and grasping points. The Kan trigram has two broken or Yin lines, one on the top and bottom, which are representative of the wrist and shoulder joints, this becomes evident in the coiling and snake like movements of the Snake System. Reacting to what the opponent wants to do and moving with them is the energy of the snake. The principle of the Kan trigram is that the solid line in the middle means that the Dan Tian must always be kept solid and full. The eight strikes of the Snake system are:

1- Jin (Shoulder) 2- Zhu (Elbow) 3- X (Knee) 4- Ku (Hip) 5- Tn (Probing) 6- W (Holding)

This character - shoulder; take on; undertake; bear.

This character means to try to find out; probe; explore; sound; scout; spy;

This character means to hold; grasp.

7- Dio (Entrapping)

This character means tricky; artful; sly;

 8- N (Grasping)
do;in a difficult position.

This character means to hold; take; seize; capture; have a firm grasp of; be able to

The Gen or Mountain Trigram is represented by the Bear

(xing), the largest and

heaviest of the animals. It uses the illusion of being slow and stupid to deceive and draw the opponent in. The two broken lines on the bottom mean the shoulders and elbows are free and moving while the wrist is kept solid and firm. The bear is known for turning it's back into the opponent which seems like a dangerous position, but it will then snatch its victory when you think it's been defeated. The Gen trigram's principle is that the neck is always held up while the chin is tucked and the back is kept rounded.

1- chng (Rushing) 3- Di (Carrying)

This character means to charge; rush; dash ; clash; collide;

2- chun (Penetrating) 4- Zhn (Shocking) 6- ko (Leaning)

by; depend on;

This character means to pierce through; pass through;

This character means to take; bring; carry;

This character means to shake.

5- ch (Withdrawing)

This character means remove; take away; withdraw; evacuate.

This character means to lean against; lean on; keep to; get near; come up to; near

7- min (Soft)

This character means to be continuous; soft

8- su (Following)

This character means to to follow; to comply with; to allow;

The Zhen or Thunder Trigram is represented by the Dragon

(lng). The solid line on

the bottom represents the shoulders which must work in harmony with each other and remain strong during the movements and applications. The solid line also represents the lower back where it connects with the pelvic area and the leg as the power in the dragon system comes from the back foot through the leg to the lower spine and then to the hands. This is a long force which the Dragon is known for. The style or energy of the Dragon is called Lifting and Holding. The Zhen trigram is known as the oldest son and is the bravest and the boldest. It cares little about exposing its vital areas and is known for opening up the hips in what's called a Bai Step. The Dragon system is also the introduction of kicking techniques, because the bai step allows the back leg to move forward to accomplish kicking. The principle of the Zhen trigram is that the toes must always be grasping the ground. The Zhen trigram represents Thunder which is the 'Shocking' force.

1- Tu (Pushing)

This character means to push; shove; turn a mill or grindstone; grind; push; forward;

 2- Tu (Lifting)
support;

This character means to hold in the palm; support with the hand or palm; serving as a

3- Di (Carrying) 4- lng (Leading) 5- bn (Moving) 7- p (Chopping) 8- jn (Entering)

get into; receive;

This character means to take; bring; carry;

This character means to lead; usher; be in possession of; draw; get;

This character means to take away; move; remove;

6- ku (Capturing)

This character means to detain; take into custody; arrest;

This character means to split; chop; cleave; right against (one's face, etc.); stick;

This character means to advance; move forward; move ahead; enter; come or go into;

The Xun or Wind Trigram is represented by the Phoenix

(fng), it is the king of all

birds and encompasses all of the wing-like strikes that birds use while attacking and defending. The broken line at the bottom represents the shoulder and the hip. The arm as opposed to the lion system, will generally move independently of the the body until the point of impact, when the root is again found. The principle of the Xun trigram is that the hips must be rolled under and the Huiyun point must be raised to counteract the broken line at the bottom.

1- Shn (Dodging) 3- P (Chopping)

This character means to dodge; get out of the way; twist; leave behind.

2- Zhn (Extending) 4- Zhn (Shocking) 6- Xi (Removing)

shrink.

This character means to extend; open up; spread out; unfold; unfurl.

This character means to split, chop, or cleave.

This character means to shake.

5- Hu (Transforming)

This character means to change; turn; transform; convert; dissolve.

This character means to unload; discharge; lay down; remove; strip; get rid off;

 7- Qun (Curling In)

This character means to curl up; huddle up.

8- Ch (Stabbing/ Cutting)

This character means to cut; like with a piece of broken glass.

The Li or Fire Trigram is represented by the Rooster

(j). The fighting system of the

Rooster mimics the quick darting and dodging movements of a rooster. It will dodge its head and body down and around you at the last second using drastic height changes and long low steps known as the Lying Step. The Rooster delivers force through the elbow because of the broken line in the middle of the trigram. Its strikes are short similar to the Bear's strikes, although while the arms are short the legs strike long and kicking with the Lying step to various places on the opponent are some of its techniques. The Rooster system has Dodging strikes similar to the Phoenix only where the Phoenix uses the arms to move the opponent and dodge around, the Rooster leaves the arms and dodges around with its whole body. When the Li trigram is turned on its side it represents the left and right sides of the body moving independently of one another. The Dantian is also moving and fluid and its use comes into play in the dodging of the Rooster. The principle of the Li trigram is that the chest must be kept concaved and pulled back protecting the vital organs from attack.

The Kun or Earth Trigram is represented by the Unicorn

(Qln). "The Qilin, also

spelled kylin is a mythical hooved Chinese creature that is said to appear in conjunction with the arrival of a sage. It is a good omen that brings Rui4 (?, roughly translated to 'serenity' and 'prosperity'). It is often depicted with what looks like fire all over its body. It is also known as a kirin in Japan. Although it looks fearsome, the qilin only punishes the sinners. It can walk on grass and yet not trample the blades and it can also walk on water. Being a peaceful creature, its diet does not include flesh. The Qilin of China's Manchurian dominated Qing dynasty (1644 1911) depict a creature with the head of a dragon, the antlers of a deer, the skin and scales of a fish, the hooves of an ox and tail of a lion."--http://qilin.biography.ms/ A more apt translation might be the Western Griffin (Gryphon) or Chimaera (Chimera) as the animal chosen to represent the Kun Trigram is really a combination of the the other animals and their techniques only refined to the point that power can be manifested in one part of the body or just one segment of a limb. It uses all the joints of the body for striking. It will follow and match the opponent until the right opportunity to reverse the direction and devastate the opponent. It can deliver strikes through many of the different parts of the body. While the Lion system is taught to the young and vibrant developing/ stoking the Yang Fire, the Unicorn is learned later in life and is the result of the years of refinement and internalization of the other systems. Its the steel forged in the Yang fire, the Yin Amulet. Its energy is called Reversing the Body. The principle of the Kun trigram is that all the joints in the body must be kept flowing and open.

The Dui or Lake Trigram is represented by the Monkey

(hu). The energy of the

Monkey is called Enfolding and means that the body contracts in on itself to obtain power. Whether its through squatting to the ground yanking the opponent with you or double handed strikes concaving inward and then having the ability to explode outwards again. Its known as the youngest daughter and is very protective of itself. The monkey system also contains the kicking methods of Bagua and is the last trigram. The last movement of the last of the forms is called "The End" or "Finish", which also signifies the opponents reached his end. The principle of the Dui trigram is that the tongue must be kept touching the roof of the mouth.

The Eight Principles of the Trigrams It is important to know that the Eight principles that are derived from the trigrams are vitally important to improving health and fighting ability. The key to improvement is that everything must change. In order to follow the cycles of nature you must change and adapt to become natural or one with nature. Here again are the Eight principles and the reasons that they should be done at all times while training.

1.

The Qian / Heaven Trigram- The mind (intention, eyes), the hands, and the feet all arrive at the same time when executing techniques. No matter what animal or strike everything should come together in

the end. This is the crucial ending point of techniques which requires perfect timing and naturalness that only comes about through the practice of different strikes thousands of times.

2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

The Kun / Water Trigram- The Dantian must always be kept solid and full. This involves breathing into the stomach, allowing the diaphragm to expand downward, rather than breathing just into the lungs alone. The Gen / Mountain Trigram- The neck and crown of the head or Baihu point is held upright, while the chin is tucked in and pulled back slightly, and the back is kept rounded. This principle may not seem important and is often overlooked, but is extremely crucial when you learn how to use the spine and Dantian to deliver power. The Zhen / Thunder Trigram- The ten toes must grasp the ground. This can't be stressed enough that yes you actually do want to grab the ground with your toes. There is a limit though, you don't want to grab so much that the balls of your feet come off the ground, find the happy medium. You should follow this principle all the time. The Xun / Wind Trigram- The hips must be rolled under and the Huiyun point must be raised. This ties in with the second principle because when the area of the dantian is being pushed out in all directions there will be a lot of force downward. The Li / Fire Trigram- The chest must be kept concaved and pulled back protecting the vital organs from attack. This also ties in with the back being rounded and the shoulders forward. This not only extends your reach but it also brings your vital areas further away from your opponents reach. The Kun / Earth Trigram- All of the joints in the body must be kept flowing and open. The Dui / Lake Trigram- The tongue must be kept touching the roof of the mouth. This completes the channels of the Ren and Du meridians.