Originally Posted by
SPJ
Dong Hai Zhuang invented Ba Gua Zhang.
And yes it is unique enough. Did Dong discover everything overnite? Or there were inspirations?
There is a boxing style called spiralling palm or Ruo Xuan Zhang. There are more spiralling arm and body movements than in Ba Gua. One tendered the theory that Dong may have some ideas or similar ideas from that style.
Kuo Bu and Bai Bu are in many styles, too. They are not new. To use them into walking in a Ba Gua circle.
Dong was also known to be good at light step or Ching Gong. Dong would create something stressing steps.
Putting all these pieces together.
Maybe that is how Dong Hai Zhuang created Ba Gua Zhang.
I am not Dong. There were no records saying it is so.
One only based on several facts and tendered a theory that "perhaps" that is how Dong came about with Ba Gua Zhang.
It is only one of many "theories".
However, not all theories are created equal and not all evidence is of the same value. To simply say that the Chen origin Taiji theory or Dong Hai Chuan bagua theory is incomplete, is not the same as saying the alternative theories are subtitutable or valid.
I've yet to see a well-documented, set of alternative evidence subject to the professional scrutiny that is minimally outside the reach of martial arts politics. Alternative theories always have their agenda.
The closet we have is Kang Ge Wu's thesis on the origin of bagua.
Simply recognizing the limits of his research and not being able to conclude with 100% certainty that Dong Hai Chuan was the founder (how about synthesizer or integrator of material) is NOT an admission that the alternative theories are acceptable explanations.
The alternative explanations have yet to prove their validity in the same rigor that Kang Ge Wu has done. Its kind of like the evolution v. intelligent design debate.
I also think this holds for the alternative theories of Taiji origins---especially with regard to the mythological figure, Zhang San Feng.
"Its better to build bridges rather than dig holes but occasionally you have to dig a few holes to build the foundation of a strong bridge."
"Traditional Northern Chinese Martial Arts are all Sons of the Same Mother," Liu Yun Qiao