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Revision as of 05:15, 1 August 2005 by Edededed (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)This martial art is known for imitating the movements of a praying mantis in combat, in particular using the hands in a 'praying mantis hand' shape. Praying Mantis is especially famous for its speed and continuous attacks. Another prominent feature of the style is the complex footwork, borrowed from Monkey Kung Fu.
Styles
There are several styles of Praying Mantis, of which the most famous are:
Seven Star Praying Mantis (七星蟷螂拳 Qixing Tanglangquan):
This style is widespread in Shandong Province and surrounding areas. Luo Guangyu (羅光玉) is also famous for having passed down this style to Hong Kong and other parts of South China, where it is still practiced today. Qixing Tanglangquan is known as the 'hardest' of the Praying Mantis styles.
Taiji/Plum Blossom/Taiji Plum Blossom Praying Mantis (太極蟷螂拳/梅花蟷螂拳/太極梅花蟷螂拳 Taiji/Meihua/Taijimeihua Tanglangquan):
This style is widespread in Shandong Province and surrounding areas. Most famous is the Taijimeihua Tanglangquan substyle as passed down by Hao Lianyu (郝蓮玉) and his many sons. This style is well-known for its large, two-handed sword, and for being somewhat 'softer' than Qixing Tanglangquan.
Six Harmonies Praying Mantis (六合蟷螂拳 Liuhe Tanglangquan):
Known as the 'softest' or most 'internal' of the Praying Mantis styles, in particular, it was passed down by Ding Zicheng (丁子成), whose students taught in Shandong Province as well as Taiwan. Liuhe Tanglangquan has very different sets from the other styles of Praying Mantis. This style of praying mantis also has very unique forms (sets) that are completely different from those of other branches.
Other, less widespread styles include:
Eight Step Praying Mantis (八歩蟷螂拳 Babu Tanglangquan):
This style was created by Feng Huanyi (馮環義) and passed down by his disciple Wei Xiaotang (衛笑堂) in Taiwan. A Praying Mantis style that includes features of other styles, like Baguazhang and Xingyiquan.
Shiny Board Praying Mantis (光板蟷螂拳 Guangban Tanglangquan):
Rare style of Praying Mantis.
Long Fist Praying Mantis (長拳蟷螂拳 Changquan Tanglangquan):
Rare style of Praying Mantis. Influenced strongly by Changquan (Long fist).
Throwing Hand Praying Mantis (摔手蟷螂拳 Shuaishou Tanglangquan):
This style was passed down by Wang Songting (王松亭) in Shandong Province.
Secret Gate Praying Mantis (秘門蟷螂拳 Mimen Tanglangquan):
This style was passed down by Zhang Dekui (張德奎) in Taiwan.
Flicking Leg Praying Mantis (弾腿蟷螂拳 Tantui Tanglangquan):
This rare style was passed down by Pui Chan, who immigrated to the United States.
Schools
There are many schools of northern praying mantis, including the students and grandstudents of Luo Guangyu (Seven Star) in Hong Kong, students and grandstudents of Wei Xiaotang (Eight Step), Zhang Dekui (Secret Gate), Wang Songting (Taiji), and Zhang Xiangsan (Six Harmony) in Taiwan, students of Ma Hanqing (Taiji/Six Harmony) in Beijing, and students and grandstudents of Hao Bin (Taiji Plum Blossom), Lin Jingshan (Seven Star), and countless others in Shandong.