Wudang Xuan Zhen Quan (武当玄真拳)
Wudang Mystical Truth Form
Wudang Xuan Zhen Quan is a refined form within the Wudang martial tradition. While it appears simple and foundational, it carries deep martial meaning and is far from basic in execution. Each movement is powerful, deliberate, and full of internal intention.
Although it shares a family lineage with Xuan Gong Quan (玄功拳), Xuan Zhen Quan is a higher-level form, both in subtlety and demand. The practitioner must integrate external form with internal breath, structure with energy, and martial function with stillness of mind.
Form Characteristics
- Emphasis on palms, punches, elbows, twists, and grasping
- The movements appear forceful, yet are balanced with soft, internal flow
- Features coiling (spiral) energy, rooted stances, and dynamic stepping
- Strong connection between movement and intention, or yi
- Functions as a gateway to deeper internal martial training
Movements Breakdown
(With pinyin and annotations for application and feeling)
-
五花亮掌 — Wǔ Huā Liàng Zhǎng
Flash palm like a flower of five petals
A graceful yet swift opening. Palms spread outward like blossoming petals—used to distract or intercept. -
震步连环劈掌 — Zhèn Bù Lián Huán Pī Zhǎng
Stamp with linked chopping palms
A sharp stomp grounds the energy while palms chop in succession. Interrupts rhythm and breaks incoming force. -
跳步悬鸡亮翅势 — Tiào Bù Xuán Jī Liàng Chì Shì
Leap and hang like a rooster, spread the wings
Symbolic of alertness and balance. A lifted leg and outstretched arms generate dynamic space. -
熊步挂面独立势 — Xióng Bù Guà Miàn Dú Lì Shì
Bear-style step with crescent leg, stand on one leg
A grounded stance rooted like a bear. The raised leg crosses the front, emphasizing stability and rotation. -
回身双手关耳锤 — Huí Shēn Shuāng Shǒu Guān Ěr Chuí
Turn and strike both ears with fists
Full-body turn releases a surprise double strike inward—targeting vital points. -
回身双亮掌 — Huí Shēn Shuāng Liàng Zhǎng
Turn back and flash two palms
Explosive yet open motion—used to deflect and counter. -
投步里外封手关耳锤 — Tóu Bù Lǐ Wài Fēng Shǒu Guān Ěr Chuí
Seal hands in and out, strike ears with fists
Combines trapping and quick offensive movement. A classic blend of control and impact. -
骑马冲肋捶 — Qí Mǎ Chōng Lèi Chuí
Horse stance punch to the ribs
A wide, rooted punch powered from the waist. Direct and forceful. -
左盘撩阴手 — Zuǒ Pán Liāo Yīn Shǒu
Left coil, rising groin strike
Lifts inward with a sneaky palm upward—often targeting the lower centerline. -
通肋腿 — Tōng Lèi Tuǐ
Kick to the ribs
A sharp kick into the side, supported by twist of the waist and arms in guard. -
连环夺子脚 — Lián Huán Duó Zǐ Jiǎo
Linked footwork for control
Strategic steps to gain advantage—redirecting or stealing balance. -
金线勾蛾冲肋拳 — Jīn Xiàn Gōu É Chōng Lèi Quán
Hook the moth with golden thread, punch ribs
Faint and strike—soft luring motion followed by decisive contact. -
擒手破膝 — Qín Shǒu Pò Xī
Catch hand and break the knee
Disrupt opponent’s control, then immediately destroy their stance. -
挂面冲肘 — Guà Miàn Chōng Zhǒu
Hook around and strike with elbow
Spiraling into close range to pierce through guard. -
左盘撩阴手 — Zuǒ Pán Liāo Yīn Shǒu
Repeat of groin lift
Returns to an earlier tactic—emphasizing rhythm and structure. -
金龙合口 — Jīn Lóng Hé Kǒu
Golden dragon closes its mouth
A sealing motion, internal and centered—ends one phase, prepares the next. -
右仆步砍拳 — Yòu Pú Bù Kǎn Quán
Low right stance with chopping punch
Sudden drop in level. A vertical strike aimed to break through defenses. -
上步蹬身冲肚拳 — Shàng Bù Dēng Shēn Chōng Dù Quán
Step forward and punch the abdomen
Enter forward and down, finishing with a mid-body punch—short, sharp, direct. -
翻身穿阴掌 — Fān Shēn Chuān Yīn Zhǎng
Turn and thrust palm to groin
Rotation generates force into a low centerline palm strike. -
巧步压肘 — Qiǎo Bù Yā Zhǒu
Clever step, press the elbow
Close-range pressure, used to control or collapse an arm. -
挂手通肋腿 — Guà Shǒu Tōng Lèi Tuǐ
Hook hands, kick ribs
Distract high, kick low. Timing is key. -
纵身双关耳 — Zòng Shēn Shuāng Guān Ěr
Leap to strike both ears
Bold and aerial. Striking with both fists inward while leaping. -
蹬身双手双击肋 — Dēng Shēn Shuāng Shǒu Shuāng Jī Lèi
Rise and double strike to the ribs
A lift from the ground powers dual rib strikes from either hand. -
顺手双冲拳 — Shùn Shǒu Shuāng Chōng Quán
Double straight punches
Natural follow-through punches, using inertia and timing. -
翻身冲拳 — Fān Shēn Chōng Quán
Turn and punch
Classic spin-to-strike method, hiding the incoming fist with body motion. -
踩手冲肋腿 — Cǎi Shǒu Chōng Lèi Tuǐ
Step on the hand and kick the ribs
Suppresses an opponent’s hand to open their flank. -
挂面摆莲 — Guà Miàn Bǎi Lián
Crescent-style lotus kick
A spiraling leg kick that sweeps through space and guards. -
左右摇肘 — Zuǒ Yòu Yáo Zhǒu
Shake elbows to left and right
Used to ward off grapples or break holds. -
前踢，后撩，握心，通肋腿 — Qián Tī, Hòu Liāo, Wò Xīn, Tōng Lèi Tuǐ
Kick front, lift back, protect heart, kick ribs
A complete defense-offense cycle—every angle covered. -
上步夺子脚，海底拳 — Shàng Bù Duó Zǐ Jiǎo, Hǎi Dǐ Quán
Step forward and punch from the bottom of the sea
A deep sinking strike—like power rising from beneath. -
投步里外封手冲肋拳 — Tóu Bù Lǐ Wài Fēng Shǒu Chōng Lèi Quán
Seal in and out, punch ribs
Final sealing and clearing before the last strike. -
翻身破膝，挂面冲肋拳 — Fān Shēn Pò Xī, Guà Miàn Chōng Lèi Quán
Turn and strike the knee, then elbow the ribs
Explosive combo ending with twisting elbow force. -
转身五花亮掌 — Zhuǎn Shēn Wǔ Huā Liàng Zhǎng
Spin and flash five-petal palm
A return to the elegant beginning, now deeper in expression. -
收势 — Shōu Shì
Closing posture
Gather all the energy. Settle the breath. Mind returns to stillness.
Wudang Xuan Zhen Quan is a cultivated balance of internal cultivation and external technique. It teaches the practitioner not only to express martial principles through form, but to harmonize breath, intent, and movement into one continuous stream.
Each movement, though physically tangible, points toward a deeper stillness—a mystical truth that can only be understood through practice.