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What's Praying Mantis Kung Fu? |
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 Wong Long is the originator of the Mantis Kung Fu system. The Praying Mantis system is the last system of 18 taught at Shaolin. The four head systems are Dragon, Wing Chun, White Crane and Praying Mantis. Praying Mantis Kung Fu is known for its Mantis Claw hooking techniques, and also incorporates many techniques from the other systems, such as Monkey footwork (Erratic Stepping). So what is the story behind Wong Long?
Praying Mantis style Kung Fu is believed to have originated in China at the Shaolin Temple during the early to mid 1600's. As legend has it a young monk by the name of Wong Long was the first individual to fashion a Kung Fu fighting system after the movements of a Praying Mantis.
Wong Long began his studies at a small Northern Shaolin Monastery as a young boy. As a young trainee he worked hard and made good progress. He was trained for many years in several systems and faught (sparred) with his fellow students and was also allowed to challenge his teacher, the Abbot of the Monastery. The Abbot defeated Wong Long easily every time.
The Abbot went on a five-year journey through China which left Wong Long in a slump, unable to advance beyond a certain level with his fighting ability. Frustrated with his performance Wong Long determined to train harder, but to no avail. He began practicing in seclusion in the forest, and one day came upon a Praying Mantis engaged in battle with a much larger Cicada. Although smaller, the Mantis was able to turn the Cicada on its back and eat it. So impressed was Wong Long with the novel fighting techniques of this Praying Mantis that he captured it and kept it in a bamboo cage. Over the following days and weeks he studied the Mantis closely. When poked with a straw, the Mantis was able to avoid the straw and grab it tight in its claws. Wong Long started mimicking and adapting the insect's fighting abilities into his own training regime. He combined this with the most powerful techniques from the other systems he was taught at Shaolin to create a complete system.
When the Abbot returned from his journey, Wong Long challenged the Abbot again. The Abbot had defeated every champion in the provinces he crossed and thought he would have no problem with Wong Long. However, Wong Long was now able to defeat his own teacher. The Abbot was so impressed with this new system that Praying Mantis Kung Fu was adapted as the 18th system of Shaolin.
Wong Long's efforts provided the foundation for modern day Praying Mantis Kung Fu. He passed the system on to 5 disciples, each of which emphasised a specific aspect of the training in their own transmission and named their systems accordingly, Tai Chi Mantis, Seven Star Mantis, Plum Blossom Mantis, etc. Over time Wong Long's original style evolved into at least twelve distinct systems of Praying Mantis Kung Fu, visit the mantis cave website to track the different lineages of Praying Mantis Sifus.
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In the "Praying Mantis Boxing Manual" (Tanglang Quanpu) recorded on the sixteenth day of the third month of the spring of 1794, the unknown author provides a list of masters and styles of boxing that Abbot Fu Ju invited to the monastery. One of the Shaolin monastery books confers the same list but in a slightly different order and concludes it with the following passage, "All these were gathered and brought together by Chan (Zen) Master Fu Ju from Shaolin monastery."
1.In the beginning there was the "Long-range Boxing" (Chang Quan) style of Emperor Tai Zu.
2."Through the Back" (Tongbei) boxing of Master Han Tong is considered parental.
3.Hand technique "Wrap Around and Seal" (Chan Feng) of Master Zhang En is especially profound.
4."Close-range Strikes" (Duanda) boxing of Master Ma Ji is the most remarkable.
5.It is impossible to come close to Master Huang You who knows the "Close Range Hand Techniques" (Kao Shou).
6.The technique "Blocking Hands and Following Through Fist" (Keshou Tongquan) of Master Jin Xiang.
7.The hand techniques of "Hooking, Scooping and Grabbing Hands" (Gou Lou Cai Shou) of Master Liu Xing.
8.The "Methods of Sticking, Grabbing, and Falling" (Zhanna Diefa) of Master Yan Qing.
9.The "Short Boxing" (Duan Quan) of Master Wen Yuan is the most extraordinary.
10.The style "Monkey Boxing" (Hou Quan) of Master Sun Heng is also flourishing.
11.The "Cotton Fist" (Mien Quan) techniques of Master Mien Shen is lightning fast.
12.The "Throwing-Grabbing and Hard Crashing" (Shuailue Yingbeng) techniques by Master Huai De.
13.The technique of "Ducking, Leaking and Passing through the Ears" (Gunlou Guaner) of Master Tan Fang.
14.The strongest leg kicking technique is "Mandarin ducks" (Yuanyang Jiao) kick of Master Lin Chong.
15.The "Seven Postures of Continuous Fist Strikes" (Qishi Lianquan) techniques by Master Meng Su.
16."Hand Binding and Grabbing" (Kunlu Zhenru) techniques of Master Yang Gun attack instantly.
17.The techniques of "Explosive Strikes into the Hollow Parts of the Body" (Woli Paochui) by Master Cui Lian.
18. "Praying Mantis" (Tanglang) boxing of Master Wang Lang absorbed and equalized all previous techniques".
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