Those which are mainly song or graceful dance are "literary" (such as the Ox Cart, "The Impoverished Beggar Passes the Official Exam," or the "Song of the River Crossing" chen), those with flashing weapons and combat are called "martial" chen (such as the Eight Family Generals, the Stilt chen, or the Sung Chiang chen).
以歌舞為主、活動力小的稱文陣，例如牛犁陣、文武郎君、桃花過渡等；動刀動槍、武打場面多的叫武陣，例如八家將、高蹺陣、宋江陣等。