A Brief Account on the Origins of Baji Quan

There are various theories as to the origins of Baji Quan. We will first deal with the origins of the name and then the origins of the style.

The Origins of the Term “Baji Quan”

The origins of the name “Baji Quan” (八極拳) – Eight Extremities Fist, is believed to have derived from Huai Nan Zi: Treatise on the Configuration of the Earth, which first appeared around 139 BC, during the Han Dynasty period. It pertained to ancient Chinese geographical concepts, and the relationships between man and nature. The treatise states “Between heaven and earth, there are nine provinces and eight extremes. Beyond the nine provinces are the eight Yin, beyond the eight Yin are the eight Hong, and beyond the eight Hong are the eight extremes (八極).” This name was adopted to signify that the power of Baji reaches the extremities, the farthest places and in all directions.

Another version for the origins is the archaic name “Bazi Quan” (巴子拳). Bazi is the name of a farming tool similar to a rake. The Baji fist is said to resemble the shape of the rake. Eventually the name evolved to “Baji Quan.”

Baji Quan was and remains widely practiced by people of the Hui nationality (Chinese ethnic Muslims) in Gang Zhou (滄洲), the famous martial arts town. From there the style has spread widely.

The Origins of the Style

Although the origins of the style are still being debated, there are three possible theories.

The first theory suggests that Baji Quan originated during the Ming Dynasty, and to lend credence to this account, proponents cite Qi Jiquan’s (戚繼光 – 1528-1588) in his Ji Xiao Xin Shu (紀效新書) – New Treatise on Military Tactics. In that work he writes of Bazi Quan (巴子拳) and relates it to the Baji mentioned above about the origins of the name. Qi Jiquan credits the development of the style to Zhang Yueshan (張嶽.

The second theory seems to support the first theory and states that Baji Quan was created by Zhang Yueshan (張嶽山), who was the abbot of the Yue Shan Zi (月山寺), the Yue Shan Temple in Henan Province (河南).

A third theory gives credit to a wondering Daoist monk surnamed Lai (癩) as the patriarch of the style. He, in turn, taught Baji Quan to Wu Zhong (吳鐘, 1712-1802) who many regard as the true originator of the style.

Closing comments

As with the origins of many Chinese martial arts styles, the culture, myths, and legends often intertwine. The three different theories provided above are plausible but none of them is proven. Perhaps more information will come to light in the future.