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Praying Mantis

The hooks of the mantis.

A northern Chinese kung fu style (Tanglangquan) inspired by the praying mantis: hooking hands, fast trapping and quick combinations, with agile monkey-like footwork.

Fact file

Country
China
Founder / origin
Wang Lang (tradition)
Year / period
17th century
Type
Striking
Style of
Kung Fu
Sources: Encyclopaedia Britannica

History

Northern Praying Mantis kung fu comes from Shandong province. Legend says it was created in the 17th century by Wang Lang, who watched a mantis fight a cicada and copied its fast, hooking arm movements.

The style joins mantis hand techniques with monkey-like footwork. A different southern style, Southern Praying Mantis, comes from the Hakka people and is not directly related.