Chinese Praying Mantis Kung Fu is a renowned martial art form that has been evolved from the offensive and defensive fighting prowess of the wild insect called Praying Mantis. Undoubtedly it is one of the finest animal styles of the martial art form Kung Fu. There are several stories and legends associated with the origins Praying Mantis Kung Fu and the evolution of various styles, which are mostly passed orally from generation to generation, by various masters and practitioners of Praying Mantis Kung Fu.
Origins of Praying Mantis Kung Fu
The most popular legend dates back to the 12th century Ming Dynasty. Wang Lang (pictured right), the founder and patriarch of Praying Mantis Kung Fu had a great passion and zeal for various martial art forms. He devoted his entire life to learn various boxing styles by travelling across the length and breadth of China. During one such journey, the monks of Shaolin challenged him for a fight. Though he successfully withstood all the monks in the monastery, he could not win over the abbot with all the martial knowledge he possessed.
In vain Wang Lang left for the nearby woods. When he was pondering over his defeat, he saw two praying mantises fighting with each other. One of the insects was holding a fly and the other praying mantis was trying to take the prey away. Wang Lang was startled to observe the attack and the counter attack of the insects at lightning speed. He returned to the monastery and engaged in a fight with the abbot and finally succeeded in the fight with his newfound skills. The abbot observed a difference in the fighting style and enquired about the same. Wang Lang narrated the praying mantis episode in the forest. Later both the abbot and Wang Lang carefully spent a long time in learning the tactics and movements employed by the praying mantis during the fights and developed a new boxing technique called the Praying Mantis Kung Fu.
Evolution of Praying Mantis Kung Fu
Wang Lang dedicated his entire life in refining the praying mantis style of Kung Fu and got it recognized as one of the most powerful and fierce martial art form. Further several Praying Mantis Kung Fu masters are involving themselves to fine tune the Kung Fu style and keep it on par with the various boxing styles. In the following years, the disciplines of Wang declared that they have come out innovative techniques in the praying mantis style that was superior to Wang’s original style. Thus, originated the Northern style of Praying Mantis Kung Fu and later, another style called the Southern Style Praying Mantis Kung Fu also evolved, which is said to be derived from the Northern style and improved by Hakka tribes. But the origins are not clear.
The Northern style Praying Mantis Kung Fu is typified by low stances, long hand techniques and leaping kicks. The four different factions of Northern style include Yin-Yang style, Plum Blossom style, 7 Stars and Spotless style. The Southern style of Praying Mantis Kung Fu is characterized by upright high stances, close range techniques and hand forms. Similar to Northern style, there are four sun-divisions in Southern style too. They are Chu Gar, Chou Gar, Iron Ox and Bamboo Forest.
Masters of Praying Mantis Kung Fu
After the passing away of Wang Lang, the Praying Mantis Style was the prerogative of Shaolin Temple monks for a few generations. Later, Sil Tao, a Taoist master taught the Praying Mantis Kung Fu style outside the monastery. He initially learnt the Northern style from the abbot and taught the nuances of this style to his disciple Li San Chen. Li, after learning the technique from Sil, launched a security service and become prominent across China for his credibility. Li wanted to pass this incredible style of Kung Fu to a deserving individual. He was on the lookout for such a person and finally he identified Wong Twing Sun, a champion from Fusham. Wong brought in several innovations in the fighting styles and accepted Fan Yuk Tung as his disciple.
Fan’s famous disciple was Lo Kwon Yuk, one of the best instructors at the reputed Ching Mo Athletic Association. He elevated the Praying Mantis Kung Fu style to a higher plane. He taught several famous students and the prominent among them was Wong Hon Fun, popularly called the ‘Mantis King’. He died in 1973 but his legacy continued with Al Cheng in Canada. Now he has passed his responsibility to Jon Funk, his illustrious disciple.