Praying Mantis Kung Fu
Officially Northern Praying Mantis Boxing (螳螂拳 Tanglangquan)
Chinese martial art from SHANDONG PROVINCE traditionally attributed to WANG LANG (17th century) who developed it after observing a mantis defeat a larger insect. Signature 'MANTIS HOOK HAND' — grip and control of opponent's limbs + rapid whipping strikes. Multiple sub-styles: Seven-Star, Plum Blossom, Six-Harmony, Eight-Step, Taiji Mantis. Distinct from Southern Mantis (different, smaller Cantonese art).
Quick facts
Category
Combat Sports
Type
Individual
Players
1–2
Duration
~90 min
Where played
indoor
Country of origin
🇨🇳 China
Estimated origin
Traditionally attributed to Wang Lang (Ming-Qing transition, 17th century); systematised through lineages 18th-19th century in Laoshan, Shandong; Southern (Cantonese) Mantis a separate lineage.
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
How it works
Objective
Trap + control opponent's limbs with mantis hooks, then deliver rapid strikes; combine grappling with striking.
Rules
Basic rules
MANTIS HOOK HAND (diao shou) — signature bent-wrist hook to grip + control opponent's limbs
Signature mantis hook.
MONKEY STEP (monkey-like footwork) — quick evasive stepping, often integrated with mantis arms
Signature integrated footwork.
TRAPPING + STRIKING flow — grip opponent's arm, whip counter-strike simultaneously
Signature trapping + strike flow.
12 KEY WORDS in mantis lore describe core techniques (gou, lou, cai, gua, tiao, tie, xin, kao, po, cha, ling, xun)
Signature 12-word system.
MULTIPLE SUB-STYLES: Seven Star, Plum Blossom, 6-Harmony, 8-Step, Taiji Mantis (softer)
Signature multiple lineages.
Scoring
Traditional art (not scoring-based); modern wushu taolu scores forms.
Win condition · Sparring: judges' decision; forms: technique scoring.
Equipment
Traditional kung fu uniform
Standard training clothing.
Weapons: broadsword, straight sword, spear, staff
Standard weapons curriculum.
Terminology
- Diao shou
- Mantis hook hand — signature bent-wrist grabbing/hooking hand.
- Tang lang
- Praying mantis (insect).
- Beng bu
- Foundational Seven-Star mantis form ('crushing step').
- Qi xing
- Seven-star stance — foundational mantis stance.
Major competitions
World Traditional Wushu Championships (mantis events)
biennial · Global · since 2004
Where it is played
Governing bodies
International Wushu Federation (IWUF)
Founded 1990 · Lausanne, Switzerland
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Wang Lang (CN, traditional founder)
- Lo Kwang-yu (CN/TW, Seven-Star lineage carrier)
- Chiu Chi Man (HK)
- Wong Hon Fun (HK)
- Ilya Profatilov (RU, world champion mantis)
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Northern Praying Mantis— Wikipedia