The Mantis That Trapped the Tiger: A Tale of a Sharp, Cunning, and Timeless Style
“You don’t beat a tiger by charging at it. You better lay a trap.”
(The Karate Kid – Legends #2025)
Some styles hit hard. Others move like the wind.
And then there’s Praying Mantis Boxing: fast, sharp, unpredictable.
Tiger VS Mantis, a fight scene by Jackie Chan and Jet Li in the Forbidden Kingdom movie (2008).
A style born from observation… and rebellion
In the 17th century (~1644), in China’s Shandong province, a man named Wong Long (or Wang Lang) made his mark on martial arts history.
Already skilled in several systems, he was looking for a style that was clever, precise — something different from the direct, brute-force styles of his time.
One day, legend says, he saw a praying mantis ambush a cicada.
Fascinated by the insect’s tactics and precision, he took it home and studied it closely.
He broke down its movements: hooks, feints, sudden strikes, rapid attacks, and off-angle hits. Then he blended these natural mechanics with what he already knew.
To refine the footwork, he drew inspiration from monkey-style movements, and eventually synthesized everything into a foundational form: Beng Bu, "Crushing Step."
Wong Long lived during a turbulent era. After the Ming Dynasty fell, the Qing — led by the Manchus — seized power.
Like many martial artists of the time, Wong Long is said to have supported the Ming cause.
Some stories say he challenged famous monks to test his art, then withdrew into the mountains to teach in secret, away from political control.
A family of a thousand faces
Over generations and across regions, the Praying Mantis style branched out, giving rise to multiple lineages.
In the North, you’ll find:
- Qi Xing Tang Lang Quan (七星螳螂拳) — Seven Star Praying Mantis
- Liu He Tang Lang Quan (六合螳螂拳) — Six Harmony Praying Mantis
- Mei Hua Tang Lang Quan (梅花螳螂拳) — Plum Blossom Praying Mantis
- Tai Ji Mei Hua Tang Lang Quan (太極梅花螳螂拳) — Supreme Plum Blossom Praying Mantis
- Tai Ji Tang Lang Quan (太極螳螂拳) — Supreme Fist Praying Mantis
- Mi Men Tang Lang Quan (秘門螳螂拳) — Secret Door Praying Mantis
- Ba Bu Tang Lang Quan (八步螳螂拳) — Eight Step Praying Mantis
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Chang Quan Tang Lang Quan (長拳螳螂拳) — Long Fist Praying Mantis
- ND : Taiji/Tai Chi, is translated as 'supreme fist' or style.
They all share the same DNA: speed, precision, sudden rhythm changes, smooth transitions, and tactical flow.
🌏 In the South:
A very different version, passed down by Zhou Yanan, emerged — heavily influenced by Southern systems (Nanquan):
- Short-hand techniques
- Close-range strikes
- Continuous contact
- Sharp, explosive rhythm
- Full-body conditioning
It wasn’t until the early 20th century, when Master Lo Kwan Yu (a major Northern branch figure) settled in Hong Kong, that the martial world fully recognized these two families.
My lineage: a living tradition
The style I practice is the Seven Star Praying Mantis — Qi Xing Tang Lang Quan, from the North.
It was passed down from Master Lo Kwan Yu to Chiu Chi Man, then to Master Lee Kam Wing. My father and I had the honor of learning from him in Hong Kong, and during seminars in France.
My father also trained in China with Li Deyu, a close friend of Master Liu Lie Hong and Sanda instructor for the Criminal Police Academy.
This practical, direct, no-sport-filter approach deeply shaped our vision of the style.
That’s the flame we keep alive today: an ancient art passed on not only through forms, but through feeling, intention, and direct connection.
A science of movement
What we pass on today isn’t just choreography.
It’s a martial science. A way to read your opponent’s intent — to lure them in, then spring the trap.
Hope you enjoyed the story :)
If you have questions, or if you also practice this style and want to share your experience, feel free to drop a comment!
Praying Mantis Legends