Info on Mantis

[sapphire tygre]

Can I get some basic explanations on the Mantis style? Also, is it studied exclusively as its own style? Thanks

[carly]

in this branch of the KFO.

[SaMantis]

But if that takes too long ...

Some (very basic) history and info:

1. The Mantis style was created by a monk named Wang Lang (or Wong Long). According to legend, he was bested in a fight by the senior monk and went out into the countryside to figure out how to improve his skill. He saw a praying mantis fighting a cicada and was inspired to create a style based on the mantis' movements. After several years of study he challenged the senior monk again and beat him easily.

2. Mantis is a system in its own right, however, several variations arose almost immediately after its creation. The legend goes that Wong Long's students were all very skilled, but each had a different way of expressing the mantis form. He sent them all out to the countryside to capture and observe their own mantis and pattern their particular skills into their own unique mantis style. The students each named their personal style after the pattern on the back of the mantis he had captured. So there were 7 (or 9?) additional styles of the Mantis system, all quite effective. Among them are Seven Star, Six Harmonies, and Plum Blossom.

There are additional styles/systems of northern mantis (8-Step, Wah Lum), but all of them are descended from Wang Lang.

Southern Praying Mantis has a different origin, but is still an effective style.

Here are a couple of sites for you:

8-Step Praying Mantis - History

(a detailed history from the 8-Step perspective)

Plum Blossom Praying Mantis

(Plum Blossom's history/lineage)

Praying Mantis Kung Fu

(This site is in the process of being built; there's about 5 northern mantis systems listed so far along with links)

Keep in mind that the legends above are not 100% accurate, and you'll see on each PM site that there is a slight variation in the tale(s). The second story is probably more legend than truth, and I've only read it in one spot (can't find the Web site it came from).

OK, there's your Mantis homework. Git ter studyin'!

[LawClansman]

You can also visit my site:
http://www.7starmantis.com
for information about the Seven Star branch of Northern Mantis Boxing.