Northern Praying Mantis Kung Fu

The early morning mist was clearing in the temple courtyard. The abbot of the temple stood ready. The young man across the way had defeated all of his fighting monks and there was a debt to pay. Wang Lang was a seasoned fighter before he fought the temple monks but here was a man the like of whose skill he had yet to encounter. Wang attacked the abbot and was quickly repelled. Two more skirmishes ensued and Wang was quickly and soundly defeated. Humbled but unbowed he retreated to the woods just beyond the temple grounds to contemplate his defeat and try to understand why the abbot was so good.

In the woods young Wang lay down on a mossy knoll. Then he heard a small commotion next to him and was surprised to see a white praying mantis locked in mortal combat with a locust. Using its powerful forelegs and lighting-like speed, the mantis quickly defeated and consumed the larger insect.

Wang captured the victorious mantis and studied its attack and defense methods. He'd poke it with a small stick and see how it reacted. From these actions he developed a new style of fighting strategy. He named his method after the small insect and thus was formed Tanglangquan Men- the gate of the praying mantis fist.

Wang returned to the temple in Lao Shan an once more faced the abbot. This time he was successful in his challenge and was invited by the abbot to remain so that he and Wang might further refine the art of Praying Mantis kung fu. They observed the elusive footwork of the monkeys in the forest and added that to the system. The abbot then suggested movements and techniques from the seventeen fighting systems he was familiar with. Wang then brought the system to the famed temple at Shaolin (Young Forest) where it was taught in secret to the temple monks.

Praying Mantis kung fu is most noted for its use of the hooking, or "mantis" hand. This is formed by the bending the wrist down and folding the last three fingers into the palm. The thumb and forefinger then make a pincer-like shape. This hand position is used for attacked delicate acupuncture points and for artfully grabbing the opponents' arms to trap and lock. Mantis is often classified as a "soft" style of kung fu. It uses relaxed movements and nimble footwork to outflank and overcome the often superior power of their opponent.

After Wang, the system separated into several distinct styles. The most popular and wide spread of these is the Seven Star system. Seven Star is often thought to be closest to Wang's original style. This is not to say it is the most effective but it just might be the oldest.

In addition to it's over 25 empty hand training routines, Seven Star retains one of the original internal energy (qi) programs, the Lohan Gong. There are three staff sets, four saber sets and two double saber sets, four halberd sets, five spear sets, five straight sword sets and many others including daggers, hook swords, ax, chain whip and killing fan. There are also about fourteen partnered sparring routines. Then there are about thirty weapon sparring forms with everything from saber vs. saber (or empty hand) to halberd vs. spear and saber (three person sparring).

As with most schools of Chinese martial arts the Praying Mantis systems contain the colorful and festive lion-dancing practice. The lion dance uses hidden kung fu techniques to entertain and thrill audiences during festive celebrations.

Probably the second most popular style of praying mantis kung fu is the Tai Chi Mantis. This is so named because its founder, Ho Chuzan, is said to have seen the yin/yang circle shape on the back of a forest mantis. It uses the harmonized opposites of the tai chi symbol in its application of power. As a strong incoming force comes to you, it is neutralized by a soft yielding action. Then hard destructive power is returned, ensuring maximum amounts of destruction.

The other two (of the four more widespread styles) are Plum Blossom and Six Harmony Praying Mantis. Plum Blossom is probably the second oldest of the original four and has greatly influenced the later styles. Six Harmony is often described as the softest of the mantis styles.

Other lesser known styles are: Eight Step Mantis, Shiny Board Mantis, Long Fist Mantis, Throwing hand Mantis, Secret Gate Mantis, and Jade Forest Mantis.

In the US the Seven Star, Tai Chi, and Jade Forest schools are most popular. The Jade Forest school also has a popular temple/training facility in Florida.

There is also a completely different approach to praying mantis kung fu that originates in the south of China. These southern schools of mantis include: Chow family, Chu family, Bamboo Forest, and Iron Ox. These are style of the "Hakka" people and are similar to the popular Wing Chun, Fujian White Crane, Southern Dragon, and Five Ancestors styles. As opposed to their northern cousins, Southern Praying Mantis uses a much shorter range of distance in fighting.