The Praying Mantis is one of the most popular traditional Wushu styles. In Chinese, it is called Tang Lang Quan (Tang Lang = 螳螂 = Mantis, Quan = 拳 = Fist). There are several northern and southern styles of Praying Mantis. Among the most famous are Seven Star Praying Mantis Boxing and Plum Blossom Praying Mantis Boxing.
Most Praying Mantis forms you’ll see today are modernized versions. Don’t get me wrong—Praying Mantis will always be a traditional Wushu style—but modern forms are designed for competitions and stage performances (e.g., Shaolin shows). The difference between traditional and modern forms is that modern ones include more acrobatics. Athletes focus more on speed, visual appeal, and acrobatic flair rather than combat application.
That’s why many younger athletes today don’t even know the practical applications of the techniques they perform. Finding someone who truly understands and can teach the traditional applications is rare—even in China.
Find more Wushu styles on the Wushu Main page.
Instructions
Mantis Hooks
Currently, there is only one instructional Praying Mantis video from the Tagou Shaolin Wushu School.
We plan to add more step-by-step instructions and animations soon.
Featured Video:
A 50-Second Praying Mantis Style Show Form from Tagou Shaolin Wushu School
Style Description
The movements imitate those of a praying mantis.
Originally, the style featured only two jump kicks: a mantis-style flying front kick and the butterfly kick. Later, practitioners added butterfly twists and eventually even flips.
The style is known for its fast hand and leg techniques and its low stances.
Advice
Learn the Wushu basics before starting with the Praying Mantis style.
Suggestions
Videos
Praying Mantis Wushu Video Section
