Liu Dekuan’s Bagua Zhang 64 Linear Palms

Bagua Zhang is one the three major internal martial arts of China. It features coiling, spiraling, and turning maneuvers while walking in a circle. Liu Dekuan’s 64 Palms have the distinguishing characteristic of being practiced in a linear pattern.

A Brief Biography of Liu Dekuan (劉德寬, 1826-1911)

Liu Dekuan was from Gang Zhou (滄洲) in Zhili (直隸) – Directly Ruled Province. He had practiced martial arts since his youth and became a disciple of Li Fengang (李鳳崗), who was the inheritor of Liu He Men (六合門) – Six Harmony Style, specializing in the Liu He Da Qiang (六合大槍) – Liu He Big Spear.

He also learned various martial arts and Chinese weapons under the tutelage of Tian Zhankui (田春魁) and Xu Liu (徐六). He became one of the most accomplished disciples of Liu Shijun (劉世俊, 1840-1910), from whom he learned Yue Shi Ba Fan Shou and Eagle Claw Qin Na. Liu Dekuan became known as Liu Da Qiang (劉大槍) – Big Spear Liu, due to his skill and fame with the spear.

Liu Dekuan eventually settled in Beijing (北京), where he became a bodyguard for the Yong Shen Biao Ju (永盛鏢局) – Yong Shen Escort Agency, and later served in the Shenji Battalion (神机营) where Liu Shijun was the chief martial arts instructor.

He became one of the Eight Disciples of Dong Haiquan (董海川, 1875-1908). Some sources say that it was Liu Shijun who recommended Liu Dekuan to Dong.

Note: Zhili officially became Hebei Province (河北省) in 1928, during the Republican Era.

Compiling the Bagua 64 Linear Palms

Based on his accumulated martial arts knowledge and influenced by the structure and content of Yue Shi Ba Fan Shou, Liu Dekuan created what has become known as Zhi Xian Liu Shi Si Zhang (直线六十四掌) – Straight-Line 64 Palms. They are commonly known as Liu Style 64 Palms and Liu Dekaun’s Bagua 64 Linear Palms.

The 64 Linear Palms consist of eight rows that are referred to as Tang (趟). Each row contains eight techniques, hence the 64 Palms. Each row is rich in practical combative skills that blend defense and offense. These are coupled with various Qin Na and throwing techniques. Each row is first practiced solo to develop the correct technique and later practiced with a partner to extract and sharpen its combative skills.

Ba Tang (八趟) – The Eight Rows

Each row begins and ends on the right side with Lao Seng Tuo Bo (老僧托钵) – Old Monk Holds an Alms Bowl.

Following are the names of each row as provided by Master Di Guoyong (邸国勇, 1948-), from whom I learned Liu Dekuan’s Bagua Zhang 64 Linear Palms.

For each Tang, I list the names for each movement in Pinyin with Chinese characters and their equivalent English translation. I am doing so here to provide a study aid for my students who are practicing the 64 Palms. It also helps me practice the Chinese names. Perhaps other students and teachers will find this useful. Note that, as is often the case, different teachers may have different interpretations of the wording for each Tang.

Note: The Opening Form and Closing Form are practiced for each row.

Opening Form of each Tang: Qi Shi: Lao Seng Tuo Bo (起式: 老僧托缽) – Old Monk Holds an Alms Bowl
Closing Form of each Tang: Shou Shi: Lao Seng Tuo Bo (收势: 老僧托缽) – Old Monk Holds an Alms Bowl

Di Yi Tang (第一趟) – First Row

1. Jin Bu Tiao Zhang (进步挑掌) – Advance Upward Palm
2. Shi Zi Gun Qiu (狮子滚球) – Lion Rolls the Ball
3. Chan Shou Ye Zhuang (缠手掖撞) – Entwining Hand and Flank Strike
4. Wo Hu Tiao Jian (卧虎跳涧) – Crouching Tiger Leaps the Ravine|
5. Zhou Di Jin Chui (肘底进捶) – Advance with Fist Beneath the Elbow
6. Fan Bin Pi Chui (反臂劈捶) – Reverse-Arm Chopping Fist/Downward Backfist
7. Shuang Bian Ya Zhou (双鞭压肘) – Double Whip Pressing the Elbow
8. Jin Bu Jie Zhou (进步截肘) – Advance and Intercept with Elbow

Di Er Tang (第二趟) – Second Row

1. Qing Long Tan Zhao (青龍探爪) – Green Dragon Probes with Claws
2. Mo Xiu Lian Chui (抹袖連捶) – Brush Sleeve, Consecutive Punches
3. Yun Long Xian Zhao (雲龍獻爪) – Cloud Dragon Offers Claws
4. Bo Yun Jian Ri (撥雲見日) – Part the Clouds to Reveal the Sun
5. Pai Xiong Pu Zhou (拍胸撲肘) – Pat Chest, Strike with Elbow
6. Zhuan Shen Ding Zhou (轉身頂肘) – Turn the Body, Thrust with Elbow
7. Guan Er Chuan Chui (貫耳穿捶) – Strike the Ears, Thrust with Punch
8. E Hu Ba Xing (惡虎扒心) – Fierce Tiger Rakes the Heart

Di San Tang (第三趟) – Third Row

1. Jin Bu Tuan Zhuang (進步團撞) – Advance and Collide with Body
2. Bai Yuan Xian Tao (白猿獻桃) – White Ape Offers the Peach
3. Feng Lun Fan Zhou (風輪反肘) – Wind Wheel Reverse Elbow
4. Xian Ren Guan Qi (仙人觀棋) – Immortal Watching the Chess Game
5. Jin Si Mo Mei (金絲抹眉) – Golden Thread Brushing the Eyebrows
6. Yun Nu Chaun Leng (玉女穿棱) – Jade Maiden Weaves the Shuttle
7.Tui Bu Qian Yang (退步牽羊) – Retreating Step Leading the Goat
8. Ba Wang Song Ke (霸王送客) – Overlord Escorts the Guest

Di Si Tang (第四趟) – Fourth Row

1. Zou Ma Hui Tou (走馬回頭) – Galloping Horse Looks Back
2. Er Xian Chuan Dao (二仙傳道) – Two Immortals Impart the Way
3. Fan Shen Pi Chui (翻身劈捶) – Turn and Chop with Fist
4. Ye Ma Chuan Cao (野馬闖槽) – Wild Horse Charges the Trough
5. Da Peng Zhan Chi (大鵬展翅) – Great Roc Spreads its Wings
6. Bai Pao Lao Cao (白袍銠草) – White-Robed Figure Chops Fodder
7. Zhou Cang Kang Dao (週倉扛刀) – Zhou Gang Shoulders the Saber
8. Liu Quan Jin Gua (劉全進瓜) – Liu Quan Presents Melon

Note: Zhou Gang is a fictional character who appears as  a general in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms and other novels.

Liu Quan is a figure from Chinese folklore and traditional literature. He is depicted as presenting a basket of melons to the underworld magistrates. He is often associated with delivering messeges in the underworld.

Di Wu Tang (第五趟) – Fifth Row

1. Tuo Shen Hua Ying ( 脫身化影) – Shedding the Body, Transforming into a Shadow
2. Lu Shou Bian Cai (捋​​手扁踩) – Stroking Hands, Flat Stomp
3. Jin Bu Zhuang Chui (進步撞捶) – Advancing Step, Ramming Fist
4. Ying Mian Dan Xi (迎面彈膝) – Frontal Springing Knee
5. Sao Er Dan Chui (掃耳單捶) – Sweeping Ear, Single Fist
6. Fan Bi Chong Chui (反臂沖捶) – Reverse Arm, Thrusting Fist
7. Tian Wang Tuo Ta (天王托塔) – Heavenly King Supporting the Pagoda
8. Wang Mu Quai Xian (王母拐線) – Queen Mother Tracing the Line

Di Liu Tang (第六趟) – Sixth Row

1. Qian Jin Ding Zhui (千斤頂墜) – Jackhammer Drop
2. Ri Yue Bing Jian (日月並肩) – Sun and Moon Side-by-Side
3. Jin Chan Tuo Ke (金蟬脫殼) – Golden Cicada Sheds its Shell
4. Yi Shan Kao Yue (倚山靠岳) – Leaning Against the Mountain
5. Qin Shou Xi Ji (擒手膝擊) – Seizing Hand and Knee Strike
6. Lan Long Zhen Wo ( 懶龍枕臥) – Lazy Dragon Rests on the Pillow
7. Niu Shou Shang Tuo (扭手上托) – Twisting Hand and Upward Lift
8. Jin Bu Beng Zhang (進步崩掌) – Advancing Step and Crushing Palm

Di Qi Tang (第七趟) – Seventh Row

1. Lei Xia Cha Hua (肋下插花) – Flowers Tucked Beneath the Ribs
2. Hong Feng Qui Chao (紅鳳歸巢) – Red Phoenix Returns to the Nest
3. Gong Tui Wai Ta (弓腿外踏) – Bow Stance: Outward Step
4. Cang Zhou Tui Shan (藏肘推山) – Hidden Elbow Pushes the Mountain
5. Pan Zhou Sao Jian (盤肘掃蓮) – Coiling Elbow Sweeps the Lotus
6. Zhuan Shen Ji Yao (轉身擊腰) – Turn and Strike the Waist
7. Yuan Hou Pan Gan (猿猴攀桿) – Ape Climbs the Pole
8. Wan Gong She Hu (彎弓射虎) – Bending the Bow to Shoot the Tiger

Di Ba Tang (第八趟) – Eighth Row  

1. Si Long Qu Shui (四龍取水) – Four Dragons Drawing Water
2. Huai Zhong Bao Yue (懷中抱月) – Embracing the Moon
3. Xian Ren Bo Mi (仙人簸米) – The Immortal Winnowing Rice
4. Lu Shou Xi Zhu (捋手戲珠) – Stroking the Arm to Tease the Pearl
5. Zhang Fei Pian Ma (張飛片馬) – Zhang Fei Slicing the Horse
6. Pian Xuan Liang Men (片旋兩門) – Slicing and Spinning through Two Gates
7. Feng Lun Pi Zhang (風輪劈掌) – Wind Wheel Chopping Palm
8. Gu Yan Chu Qun (孤雁出群) – The Lone Goose Leaving the Flock

Note: Zhang Fei was a famous general during the late Eastern Han Dynasty and Early Three Kingdoms.

The photos shown on this post were digitally recreated.