Praying mantis kung fu

The Tang Lang Quan (Chinese螳螂拳, Pinyin Tanglang Quan, Tang Lang Chuan W.-G., Cantonese Tong Long Kuen, praying mantis kung fu ') is a popular Chinese martial art style. According to legend, the style of a monk named Wang Lang was founded.

The Tang Lang Quan of Laiyang in Shandong Province was included in the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the People's Republic of China (No. 805).

Emergence legend

The "style of Praying Mantis " was, according to legend, by Wang Lang, from the province of Shantung, in the period between the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) in the famous Shaolin Monastery in China Henan Province, developed.

Wang Lang was an experienced fighter and experienced in 17 kung fu styles. He traveled there to test his combat ability to the Shaolin Monastery. However, although he trained hard, he could not defeat the monks of the Shaolin monastery. Wang Lang retired to a nearby forest. There he observed while walking a fight between a praying mantis and a cicada. The Mantis managed to defeat the cicada, despite their much smaller body size. Wang Lang was impressed. He began to study the mantis an their movements. From this he developed the hand techniques of the style. In his style, he took on the most effective techniques from 17 other Kung Fu styles. To meet the rapid hand movements just, Wang Lang decided to take over the kicking techniques of the monkey style called. After practice and internalize his style, Wang Lang returned to the monastery. He managed to defeat in a friendly tournament a large number of monks. The abbot of the monastery was very excited.

There are different versions of the creation legend, but always have the same core: the observation of the struggle between cicada and praying mantis and the subsequent processing in a new style. Is also always mentioned the Shaolin Monastery: Sometimes Wang Lang is represented as a pure fighter, sometimes referred to as ( Shaolin ) monk. In part, it comes to a conflict with a Sihing ( a higher students), partly to the competition in a friendly tournament. Partial defeated Wang Lang offers a large number or all the monks. Often Wang Lang is also referred to as a monk of the monastery, which is not correct though.

A statue in honor of Wang Lang and a memorial to the restoration of Tang Lang Quan is located in Lao Shan.

Dissemination

From the 17th century, the style spread rapidly in China. Especially in northern China the mantis style was practiced in southern style was taught only later. From Hong Kong got the style to Europe and the United States.

Today enjoys the style of a great popularity worldwide, there are schools which the different styles of mantis - style teaching. Not only among Chinese martial artists of the praying mantis style is considered one of the most aggressive Chinese styles.

Evolution of style

Over time, the style of the praying mantis has evolved into different styles. Hence the current division of style:

Main styles:

  • Qi Xing Tang Lang Quan - Seven Star Mantis Kung Fu (Chinese七星 螳螂拳, Cantonese Chat Sing Tong Long Kuen )
  • Mei Hua Tang Lang Quan - Plum Blossom Praying Mantis Kung Fu (Chinese梅花 螳螂拳, Cantonese Mui Fa Kuen Tong Long )
  • Liu He Tang Lang Quan - 6- harmonies praying mantis kung fu (Chinese六和 螳螂拳, Cantonese Lok Hup Tong Long Kuen )
  • Ba Bu Tang Lang Quan - 8 -Step Praying Mantis Kung Fu (Chinese八 步 螳螂拳, Cantonese Baat Bou Tong Long Kuen )

These other, less well-known sub- styles:

  • Chang Quan Tang Lang
  • Baji Tang Lang
  • Guang Ban Tang Lang
  • Mi Tang Lang Men
  • Tong Bei Tang Lang
  • Taiji Tang Lang
  • Taiji Meihua Tang Lang
  • Shenji Tang Lang
  • Yuan Yang Tang Lang

The reasons for the emergence of different styles are diverse. Often, a new generation is a new focus in front of the mediated principles of style. Nevertheless, certain principles of Tang Lang Quan can be found in all styles. See training.

The development of the styles has not stopped at the present time. So there is both in China and in Europe, and especially in the U.S., many variations and "new" created sub- styles, whose differences from the said main styles are often only marginally.

Training

In addition to the well-known exercise content on the martial arts and martial arts (such as strength, endurance, balance training, exercises, applications, and combat training etc ) are particularly occurring in all styles of principles and methods for the Tang Lang Quan crucial. Are terms like Shenfa ( physical exertion ), Bufa ( footwork ), Quanfa ( hand techniques ), Tuifa ( kicking techniques ), Yongfa (applications) to be found in all traditional Kung Fu styles, the method of execution and application in different styles is obviously different. So there are in the Tang Lang Quan a canon of traditional exercise methods and traditional principles such as:

  • Ba Shi - the eight positions
  • Ba Zhou - the eight elbows
  • Ba Gang - the eight harsh methods
  • He Shi Rou - the twelve soft methods
  • Ba Duan / Qi Chang - 8 short and 7 long techniques
  • Shi He Zi Jue - the 12 key terms
  • Wu Nei Xing - the five internal elements
  • Wai Wu Xing - the five outer elements

The versions of techniques are open and allow plenty of room for your own style to convey. However, the actual principles behind the techniques are always the same.

Wade–Giles Monkey Kung Fu
180405
de