# Wu Quanyou

Wu Quanyou (Chinese: 吴全佑; Wade–Giles: Wu Ch‘üan-yu; 1834–1902) was an influential teacher of the tai chi martial art in late Imperial China. His son is credited as the founder of the Wu-style tai chi. As he was of Manchu descent, and would have been named by his family in Manchu, the name "Wú" (吳) was a sinicisation that approximated the pronunciation of the first syllable of his Manchu clan name, U Hala.

## Life

Wu Quanyou was a military officer in the Yellow Banner camp in the Forbidden City, Beijing and also an officer of the Imperial Guards Brigade during the Qing dynasty. Wu wished to study under Yang Luchan, the tai chi instructor for that banner camp, but he was still a middle grade officer and Yang refused to teach him. Instead, Wu and two other officers, Wan Chun (萬春) and Ling Shan (凌山), were asked to become disciples of Yang Banhou, Yang Luchan's oldest adult son and also a tai chi instructor for the Qing military.
When Wu retired from the military, he set up a school in Beijing. Wu's Beijing school was successful and there were many who studied with him, he was popularly known as Quan Sanye (全三爺) as a term of respect. His disciples included Wang Maozhai, Guo Songting (郭松亭), Xia Gongfu (夏公甫), Chang Yuanting (1860-1918; 常遠亭), Qi Gechen (齊閣臣), and Wu's own son, Wu Jianquan (see Wudang tai chi lineage). Wu's skills were said to be exceptional in the area of softly "neutralising" (化勁; huà jìn) hard energy when attacked, which is a core skill of good tai chi. Chang Yuanting's son Chang Yunji taught a style known as "Quanyou laojia tai chi" (全佑老架太极拳) or "Chang-style tai chi" (常氏太極拳).
Wu's son, Wu Jianquan also became a cavalry officer and tai chi teacher, working closely with the Yang family and Sun Lutang, promoting what subsequently came to be known as Wu-style tai chi in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.

## Tai chi lineage tree with Wu-style focus

Note:
* This lineage tree is not comprehensive, but depicts those considered the 'gate-keepers' & most recognized individuals in each generation of Wu-style.
* Although many styles were passed down to respective descendants of the same family, the lineage focused on is that of the Wu style & not necessarily that of the family.
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| Key: | Key: | Key: | Key: | Key: | Key: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | NEIJIA | NEIJIA | NEIJIA | NEIJIA | NEIJIA | NEIJIA |
| Key: | Key: | Key: | Key: | Key: | Key: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | NEIJIA | NEIJIA | NEIJIA | NEIJIA | NEIJIA | NEIJIA | | | | | | | Solid lines | Solid lines | Solid lines | Solid lines | Solid lines | Solid lines | Direct teacher-student. | Direct teacher-student. | Direct teacher-student. | Direct teacher-student. | Direct teacher-student. | Direct teacher-student. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Dot lines | Dot lines | Dot lines | Dot lines | Dot lines | Dot lines | Partial influence /taught informally /limited time. | Partial influence /taught informally /limited time. | Partial influence /taught informally /limited time. | Partial influence /taught informally /limited time. | Partial influence /taught informally /limited time. | Partial influence /taught informally /limited time. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | TAI CHI | TAI CHI | TAI CHI | TAI CHI | TAI CHI | TAI CHI |
| | | | | | | Dash lines | Dash lines | Dash lines | Dash lines | Dash lines | Dash lines | Individual(s) omitted. | Individual(s) omitted. | Individual(s) omitted. | Individual(s) omitted. | Individual(s) omitted. | Individual(s) omitted. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Dash cross | Dash cross | Dash cross | Dash cross | Dash cross | Dash cross | Branch continues. | Branch continues. | Branch continues. | Branch continues. | Branch continues. | Branch continues. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | CHEN-STYLE | CHEN-STYLE | CHEN-STYLE | CHEN-STYLE | CHEN-STYLE | CHEN-STYLE | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Zhaobao-style | Zhaobao-style | Zhaobao-style | Zhaobao-style | Zhaobao-style | Zhaobao-style |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | YANG-STYLE | YANG-STYLE | YANG-STYLE | YANG-STYLE | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | (王蘭亭) Wang Lanting 1840–? 2nd gen. Yang | (王蘭亭) Wang Lanting 1840–? 2nd gen. Yang | (王蘭亭) Wang Lanting 1840–? 2nd gen. Yang | (王蘭亭) Wang Lanting 1840–? 2nd gen. Yang | (王蘭亭) Wang Lanting 1840–? 2nd gen. Yang | (王蘭亭) Wang Lanting 1840–? 2nd gen. Yang | | | Yang Jianhou 1839–1917 2nd gen. Yang 2nd gen. Yangjia Michuan | Yang Jianhou 1839–1917 2nd gen. Yang 2nd gen. Yangjia Michuan | Yang Jianhou 1839–1917 2nd gen. Yang 2nd gen. Yangjia Michuan | Yang Jianhou 1839–1917 2nd gen. Yang 2nd gen. Yangjia Michuan | Yang Jianhou 1839–1917 2nd gen. Yang 2nd gen. Yangjia Michuan | Yang Jianhou 1839–1917 2nd gen. Yang 2nd gen. Yangjia Michuan | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Yang Banhou 1837–1892 2nd gen. Yang 2nd gen. Guang Ping Yang Yang Small Frame | Yang Banhou 1837–1892 2nd gen. Yang 2nd gen. Guang Ping Yang Yang Small Frame | Yang Banhou 1837–1892 2nd gen. Yang 2nd gen. Guang Ping Yang Yang Small Frame | Yang Banhou 1837–1892 2nd gen. Yang 2nd gen. Guang Ping Yang Yang Small Frame | Yang Banhou 1837–1892 2nd gen. Yang 2nd gen. Guang Ping Yang Yang Small Frame | Yang Banhou 1837–1892 2nd gen. Yang 2nd gen. Guang Ping Yang Yang Small Frame | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | WU (HAO)-STYLE | WU (HAO)-STYLE | WU (HAO)-STYLE | WU (HAO)-STYLE | WU (HAO)-STYLE | WU (HAO)-STYLE | Zhaobao He-style | Zhaobao He-style | Zhaobao He-style | Zhaobao He-style | Zhaobao He-style | Zhaobao He-style |
| | | | Li-style | | | | | | | | Yang Shao-hou 1862–1930 3rd gen. Yang Yang Small Frame | | | | | Wu Quanyou 1834–1902 1st gen. Wu | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (齊閣臣) Qi Gechen 2nd gen. Wu | (齊閣臣) Qi Gechen 2nd gen. Wu | (齊閣臣) Qi Gechen 2nd gen. Wu | (齊閣臣) Qi Gechen 2nd gen. Wu | (齊閣臣) Qi Gechen 2nd gen. Wu | (齊閣臣) Qi Gechen 2nd gen. Wu | | | (夏公甫) Xia Gongfu 2nd gen. Wu | (夏公甫) Xia Gongfu 2nd gen. Wu | (夏公甫) Xia Gongfu 2nd gen. Wu | (夏公甫) Xia Gongfu 2nd gen. Wu | (夏公甫) Xia Gongfu 2nd gen. Wu | (夏公甫) Xia Gongfu 2nd gen. Wu | | | Wu Jianquan 1870–1942 2nd gen. Wu WU-STYLE 108 Form | Wu Jianquan 1870–1942 2nd gen. Wu WU-STYLE 108 Form | Wu Jianquan 1870–1942 2nd gen. Wu WU-STYLE 108 Form | Wu Jianquan 1870–1942 2nd gen. Wu WU-STYLE 108 Form | Wu Jianquan 1870–1942 2nd gen. Wu WU-STYLE 108 Form | Wu Jianquan 1870–1942 2nd gen. Wu WU-STYLE 108 Form | | | (常遠亭) Chang Yuanting 1860–1918 2nd gen. Wu | (常遠亭) Chang Yuanting 1860–1918 2nd gen. Wu | (常遠亭) Chang Yuanting 1860–1918 2nd gen. Wu | (常遠亭) Chang Yuanting 1860–1918 2nd gen. Wu | (常遠亭) Chang Yuanting 1860–1918 2nd gen. Wu | (常遠亭) Chang Yuanting 1860–1918 2nd gen. Wu | | | (郭松亭) Guo Songting 2nd gen. Wu | (郭松亭) Guo Songting 2nd gen. Wu | (郭松亭) Guo Songting 2nd gen. Wu | (郭松亭) Guo Songting 2nd gen. Wu | (郭松亭) Guo Songting 2nd gen. Wu | (郭松亭) Guo Songting 2nd gen. Wu | | | Wang Maozhai 1862–1940 2nd gen. Wu | Wang Maozhai 1862–1940 2nd gen. Wu | Wang Maozhai 1862–1940 2nd gen. Wu | Wang Maozhai 1862–1940 2nd gen. Wu | Wang Maozhai 1862–1940 2nd gen. Wu | Wang Maozhai 1862–1940 2nd gen. Wu | | | SUN-STYLE | SUN-STYLE | SUN-STYLE | SUN-STYLE | SUN-STYLE | SUN-STYLE | | | | |
| | | | | Dong Yingjie 1891–1960 4th gen. Yang | Dong Yingjie 1891–1960 4th gen. Yang | Dong Yingjie 1891–1960 4th gen. Yang | Dong Yingjie 1891–1960 4th gen. Yang | Dong Yingjie 1891–1960 4th gen. Yang | Dong Yingjie 1891–1960 4th gen. Yang | | | (齊敏軒) Qi Minxuan 3rd gen. Wu | (齊敏軒) Qi Minxuan 3rd gen. Wu | (齊敏軒) Qi Minxuan 3rd gen. Wu | (齊敏軒) Qi Minxuan 3rd gen. Wu | (齊敏軒) Qi Minxuan 3rd gen. Wu | (齊敏軒) Qi Minxuan 3rd gen. Wu | | | Cheng Wing Kwong 1903–1967 3rd gen. Wu | Cheng Wing Kwong 1903–1967 3rd gen. Wu | Cheng Wing Kwong 1903–1967 3rd gen. Wu | Cheng Wing Kwong 1903–1967 3rd gen. Wu | Cheng Wing Kwong 1903–1967 3rd gen. Wu | Cheng Wing Kwong 1903–1967 3rd gen. Wu | | | Wu Yinghua 1907–1997 3rd gen. Wu | Wu Yinghua 1907–1997 3rd gen. Wu | Wu Yinghua 1907–1997 3rd gen. Wu | Wu Yinghua 1907–1997 3rd gen. Wu | Wu Yinghua 1907–1997 3rd gen. Wu | Wu Yinghua 1907–1997 3rd gen. Wu | | | Wu Gongyi 1900–1970 3rd gen. Wu | Wu Gongyi 1900–1970 3rd gen. Wu | Wu Gongyi 1900–1970 3rd gen. Wu | Wu Gongyi 1900–1970 3rd gen. Wu | Wu Gongyi 1900–1970 3rd gen. Wu | Wu Gongyi 1900–1970 3rd gen. Wu | | | Wu Kung-tsao 1903–1983 3rd gen. Wu | Wu Kung-tsao 1903–1983 3rd gen. Wu | Wu Kung-tsao 1903–1983 3rd gen. Wu | Wu Kung-tsao 1903–1983 3rd gen. Wu | Wu Kung-tsao 1903–1983 3rd gen. Wu | Wu Kung-tsao 1903–1983 3rd gen. Wu | | | Ma Yueliang 1901–1998 3rd gen. Wu | Ma Yueliang 1901–1998 3rd gen. Wu | Ma Yueliang 1901–1998 3rd gen. Wu | Ma Yueliang 1901–1998 3rd gen. Wu | Ma Yueliang 1901–1998 3rd gen. Wu | Ma Yueliang 1901–1998 3rd gen. Wu | | | Yang Yuting 1887–1982 3rd gen. Wu | Yang Yuting 1887–1982 3rd gen. Wu | Yang Yuting 1887–1982 3rd gen. Wu | Yang Yuting 1887–1982 3rd gen. Wu | Yang Yuting 1887–1982 3rd gen. Wu | Yang Yuting 1887–1982 3rd gen. Wu | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (鄭天熊) Cheng Tin Hung 1930–2005 Wudang-style | (鄭天熊) Cheng Tin Hung 1930–2005 Wudang-style | (鄭天熊) Cheng Tin Hung 1930–2005 Wudang-style | (鄭天熊) Cheng Tin Hung 1930–2005 Wudang-style | (鄭天熊) Cheng Tin Hung 1930–2005 Wudang-style | (鄭天熊) Cheng Tin Hung 1930–2005 Wudang-style | | | | | | | Wu Ta-k'uei 1923–1972 4th gen. Wu | Wu Ta-k'uei 1923–1972 4th gen. Wu | Wu Ta-k'uei 1923–1972 4th gen. Wu | Wu Ta-k'uei 1923–1972 4th gen. Wu | Wu Ta-k'uei 1923–1972 4th gen. Wu | Wu Ta-k'uei 1923–1972 4th gen. Wu | | | Wu Yanxia 1930–2001 4th gen. Wu | Wu Yanxia 1930–2001 4th gen. Wu | Wu Yanxia 1930–2001 4th gen. Wu | Wu Yanxia 1930–2001 4th gen. Wu | Wu Yanxia 1930–2001 4th gen. Wu | Wu Yanxia 1930–2001 4th gen. Wu | | | Wu Daxin 1933–2005 4th gen. Wu | Wu Daxin 1933–2005 4th gen. Wu | Wu Daxin 1933–2005 4th gen. Wu | Wu Daxin 1933–2005 4th gen. Wu | Wu Daxin 1933–2005 4th gen. Wu | Wu Daxin 1933–2005 4th gen. Wu | | | (立群) Li Liqun 1924–2013 4th gen. Wu | (立群) Li Liqun 1924–2013 4th gen. Wu | (立群) Li Liqun 1924–2013 4th gen. Wu | (立群) Li Liqun 1924–2013 4th gen. Wu | (立群) Li Liqun 1924–2013 4th gen. Wu | (立群) Li Liqun 1924–2013 4th gen. Wu | | | Wang Peisheng 1919–2004 4th gen. Wu | Wang Peisheng 1919–2004 4th gen. Wu | Wang Peisheng 1919–2004 4th gen. Wu | Wang Peisheng 1919–2004 4th gen. Wu | Wang Peisheng 1919–2004 4th gen. Wu | Wang Peisheng 1919–2004 4th gen. Wu | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Wu Kuang-yu 1946–Present 5th gen. Wu | | | | | | | | | | | | (骆舒焕) Luo Shuhuan 1935–1987 5th gen. Wu | | | | | | | |
| CHEN-STYLE | CHEN-STYLE | CHEN-STYLE | CHEN-STYLE | CHEN-STYLE | CHEN-STYLE | | | YANG-STYLE | YANG-STYLE | YANG-STYLE | YANG-STYLE | YANG-STYLE | YANG-STYLE | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | WU-STYLE | WU-STYLE | WU-STYLE | WU-STYLE | WU-STYLE | WU-STYLE | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | SUN-STYLE | SUN-STYLE | SUN-STYLE | SUN-STYLE | SUN-STYLE | SUN-STYLE | WU (HAO)-STYLE | WU (HAO)-STYLE | WU (HAO)-STYLE | WU (HAO)-STYLE | WU (HAO)-STYLE | WU (HAO)-STYLE |