Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms


The Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms is a fictional martial arts that appears in multiple Jin Yong novels.

Origin

The 'Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms' is one of the two most powerful martial arts of the Beggar's Sect, with the other being the Dog Beating Staff. The technique is believed to be based on the principles of the I Ching, an ancient text from the Western Zhou period. The skill is passed down from leader to leader of the Beggar's Sect, and the leader of the Beggar's Sect is expected to have a mastery of both the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms and the Dog Beating Staff.

Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils

The 'Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms' first appeared in the Jin Yong novel, Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils. It is the main skill of Xiao Feng, the leader of the Beggar's Sect and one of the main characters of the novel. Originally, there were twenty eight palms in the technique, but with the help of his sworn brother Xu Zhu, Xiao Feng combined certain stances and movements and simplified it to eighteen palms. Following Xiao Feng's death at the end of the novel, Xu Zhu passed on the knowledge of the 'Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms' to the new successor of the Beggar's Sect.

Legend of the Condor Heroes

In Legend of the Condor Heroes, the 'Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms' was taught to Guo Jing, the main character of the novel by Hong Qigong, the leader of the Beggar's Sect. The technique would later become Guo Jing's main fighting style, and he would use it against powerful opponents such as Ouyang Feng, Mei Chaofeng, Huang Yaoshi, and Qiu Qianren.

Return of the Condor Heroes

The 'Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms' were used by Guo Jing multiple times and by Hong Qigong against his final battle against Ouyang Feng in Return of the Condor Heroes.

Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre

In Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre, the 'Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms' is practiced by Shi Huolong, the leader of the Beggar Sect. However, he only mastered 12 of the 18 palm techniques. Shi Houlong uses the technique after he is ambushed by Cheng Kun, the main antagonist.

In popular culture

The 'Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms' is one of the most well known martial arts in the wuxia genre, and has been featured in many wuxia themed movies, television, and video games, such as the Stephen Chow film King of Beggars and the popular online game Age of Wushu. It's also briefly referenced at the end of Kung Fu Hustle, another Stephen Chow film.

The Eighteen Palms

Many of the individual palm names are taken from prophecies in the Book of Changes.
  1. The Proud Dragon Repents
  2. The Dragon Soars in the Sky
  3. The Dragon is Seen in the Fields
  4. The Swan Descends Gracefully
  5. Use Not the Submerged Dragon
  6. Crossing Great Rivers
  7. Tremors that Shook the Land
  8. Diving into the Abyss
  9. The Twin Dragons Fetch Water
  10. The Divine Dragon Swishes its Tail
  11. A Sudden Advent
  12. Timely Riding the Six Dragons
  13. Dark Clouds but No Rain
  14. With a Loss comes Confidence
  15. The Dragon Fights in the Wilderness
  16. Treading on Ice
  17. The Ram Charges into the Fence
  18. Laughing Words