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Praying Mantis (Tanglangquan/Tanglangpai)
(Contributor: Fernando Blanco - mantisking@hotmail.com)
Intro:
Imitative boxing of the Praying Mantis. The Praying Mantis is
an insect with killer instinct and blinding speed. The Tanglangpai
is a combat system composed of several sub-styles, that due to
the richness and complexity of their techniques are considered
styles by themselves. Some of these styles were created combining
the praying mantis boxing with other wu-shu systems. Some writers
count more than 40 Praying Mantis styles. This section will only
mention below the more ancient and traditional ones.
Origin: Shandong Province (Northern China)
History:
Wang Lang (the style creator) was born in the Jimo district,
in Shandong Province. He lived during the Ming Dynasty fall and
as he was a patriot (some Masters say he was uncle of the last
Ming Emperor), he decided to excel in the martial arts to fight
against the Qing Dynasty (Manchurian rulers). He entered to the
Shaolin monastery in Songshang, but being prosecuted by the Manchurians
he travelled all over China, training in places places where he
could find Gongfu Masters. In this way he learned 17 Chinese Boxing
styles.
After this travel, Wang Lang entered to the Laoshan monastery.
Once there, he was always defeated by the abbot of the temple
in spite of his deep knowledge of the fighting arts. One day,
while he was meditating in a forest he saw a combat between a
praying mantis and a cicada. He was impressed by the aggressive
attitude of the mantis and he started studying its movements.
After a long learning time he combined the praying mantis hand
movements with the monkey steps (to enhance the coordination between
hand and feet). With this new style Wang Lang could defeat the
monastery abbot. Wang Lang went on modifying his system and when
he felt satisfied with his creation he accepted some disciples.
Description:
Even though Praying Mantis sub-styles are quite different, they
all contain the basic structure created by Wang Lang: * 8 stances
* 12 key words * 8 rigid and 12 flexible methods * 5 external
and 5 internal elements * 8 non- attacking and 8 attacking points.
Northern praying mantis is a style characterized by fast hand
movements. The hook hands are the "trade mark" of the style and
they are found in all the northern sub-styles. Northern Tanglangquan's
main weapon is the blinding speed of the hand trying to control
and punch the opponent. It has a balanced combination of circular
and straight movements.
Other important elements are the simultaneous block and punch,
and strong chopping punches. These are practical movements for
full contact street fighting. Some Chinese martial artists say
that Seven Star Praying Mantis Boxing (one of the praying mantis
sub-styles) is the most aggressive style created in China. Grappling,
kicking, nerve-attack and weapons complete the northern branch.
Southern praying mantis is very different. It is an infighting
system that resembles Wing Chun. Qigong is very important in the
Southern Praying Mantis. Movements are continuous and circular,
soft and hard, except in attack, where the middle knuckle (phoenix
eye) of the index finger is used like a needle to pierce the internal
organs. A punch with the fist produces an external muscular bruise,
striking with the phoenix eye produces an internal bruise.
Training:
1) Physical exercises
2) Body conditioning
-Tieshazhang (Iron Palm)
-Baidagong (body strengthening)
-Jhiu Sa So (Poison Palm)
3) Fighting Theory
-Tui (legs actions)
-Da (hand actions)
4) School training (basic movements known as combinations)
5) Shuai (Throwing Techniques)
6) Na (also known as Qinna, grappling techniques)
7) Forms training (The core of the system. Solo training and
forms for two or more people)
8) Sanshou (free fighting)
9) Jei Jai (weapons training)
10) Dim Mak (also known as mur mon, the death touch)
-8 attacking points
- 8 non attacking points
-Deadly points
11) History and tradition (honor the ancestors in the style and
keep the folklore tradition -for example Lion Dance-)
Sub-Styles:
Northern Sub-Styles:
Seven Stars Praying Mantis (Qixing Tanglang), Eight Steps Praying
Mantis (Babu Tanglang), Six Armonies Praying Mantis (Liuhe Tanglang),
Secret Door Praying Mantis (Bimen Tanglan), Mysterious Track Praying
Mantis (Mizong Tanglang), Throwing Hands Praying Mantis (Shuaishou
Tanglang), Plumb Flower Praying Mantis (Meihua Tanglang), Flying
legs Praying Mantis from the Wah Lum Temple (Wah Lum Tam Tui Tang
Lang), Jade Ring Praying Mantis (Yuhuan Tanglang), Long Boxing
Praying Mantis (Changquan Tanglang), Great Ultimate Praying Mantis
(Taiji Tanglang), Eight Ultimates Praying Mantis (Baji Tanglang)
Southern Sub-Styles (Hakka shadow boxing):
Bamboo Forest Praying Mantis (Kwong Sai Jook Lum Tang Lang),
Chou Clan Praying Mantis (Chou Gar Tang Lang), Chu Clan Praying
Mantis (Chu Gar Tang Lang)
Familiar or non spread Sub-Styles:
Han Kun Family Praying Mantis (Han Gong Jia Tanglang), Drunken
Praying Mantis (Zui Tanglang), Shiny Board Praying Mantis (Guangban
Tanglang), Connected Arms Praying Mantis (Tongbei Tanglang), Mandarin
Duck Praying Mantis (Yuanyang Tanglang)
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