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Northern Praying Mantis, or Tang Lang Chuan, was developed by a famous boxer named Wang Lang around 1600s. He systemized the art after witnessing a Praying Mantis kill a much larger Cicada. Wang Lang then added the erratic footwork of the Monkey Style with his new developed art, thus creating the traditional Northern Praying Mantis. Northern Praying Mantis emphasize on breaking joints rather than striking. Another common technique used in this art is the use of mantis hook. A mantis hook is a hand being held to resemble a mantis talon, and is used for striking, blocking, and parrying. Like Taiji Quan, Northern Praying Mantis has different styles all rooted from the traditional one. Although they are different in names, a practitioner from one branch will usually have very similar training from one to another. Here are the following styles of Northern Praying Mantis. |
Seven StarsSeven Stars Praying Mantis got its name from the seven classical stars in Chinese Astrology. It is a largely soft-style, evading direct power confrontations. A Seven Stars Praying Mantis’ footwork follows a pattern resembling the seven classical stars. Plum Blossom Plum Blossom Praying Mantis is considered by many Northern Stylists as an introductory style, not going on to truly advanced techniques. It stresses plum flower fist strategies, such as three or five punches in sequence. A Plum Blossom Praying Mantis fighter prefer to use his fist rather than the open hand. |
Six HarmonySix Harmony Praying Mantis’ basic principle is to have the six body functions, eyes, hands, body, spirit, chi, and soul, interact in harmony. Practitioners of this art evade or absorb an attack softly and counter attack in a hard excessive force. An expert of this style sticks to his opponent, feeling his next move. Spotless Spotless Praying Mantis relies more on hand techniques than the other Northern Praying Mantis style. The practitioner’s wrists are kept bent and hands open in order to generate a whipping power over short distances. The Northern Stylists of Praying Mantis refer to this style as the Southern Style. |
Secret DoorSecret Door Praying Mantis uses low stances and a lot of elbow strikes. Its movements are more complicated than the other styles of the Northern Praying Mantis. It is a close-range fighting style that uses feints to get into the preferred position. Jade Ring Jade Ring Praying Mantis is one of the most secretive styles of Kung Fu. Its footwork are complicated and hard to follow. This technique allows the Jade Ring Praying Mantis fighter to strike his bewildered opponent in the least expected situation. |
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Dragging Hand Dragging Hand Praying Mantis uses grappling and grabbing techniques. The most common strike of this art is the back fist. A Dragging Hand Praying Mantis practitioner prefers breaking techniques like Chin Na rather than striking. Eight Step Eight Step Praying Mantis focuses on moving footwork expanded from the traditional Northern Praying Mantis stances. There is little evasion employed, and the emphasis is on sticking hands leading an opponent to a point of vulnerability. It also uses a complete system of joint locks and throwing techniques. |
Wah LumWah Lum Praying Mantis is the combination of Tan Tui and Jut Sow Praying Mantis. It is noted for its long fist forms, its spear and pole techniques, and its whirling broadsword skills. Practitioners of Wah Lum Praying Mantis are taught to kick low and fast delivered in a snapping motion. Tai Chi Tai Chi Praying Mantis delivers all strikes with great internal power, using a penetrating strike rather than sub-surface impact. Parries are favored to blocks, and power generates from the ground to the waist to technique. A Tai Chi Praying Mantis practitioner toughens the arms, legs, and body by hitting hard objects constantly in training. Northern Praying Mantis is studied for health, spiritual development, and self-defense. Techniques learned should be practiced with the up most of responsibility and safety in mind. Northern Praying Mantis continues to be one of the most effective and popular styles of Kung Fu in the world today. |
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