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Wang Lang was a superior swordsman who considered himself invincible. Rumor was, the Shaolin monks were unconquerable in the martial arts. Wang set out to disprove this claim. After challenging the monks and being defeated Lang retreated to the mountains. There he trained hard in his "Way of the Sword " (T'sien Tao) while exercising and strengthening his body. He then challenged the monks again. This time was able to beat the lowest monk and a monk of even higher rank but was soundly beaten by the head monk. With his pride wounded Wang disappeared into the forest for contemplation.
Had it not been for these defeats the Mantis style might never have been created. One day while sitting under a tree Wang heard the long shrill of a cicada on a low hanging branch just above his head. Wang spotted a fragile praying mantis in a life-or-death struggle with a heavy-bodied cicada. The cicada was pushing it's hard blunt head against the mantis nearly pinning it down with it's pincers, the mantis used it's strong spiny forelegs and biting mouth to grasp and subdue it. The mantis then consumed it's prey.
Wang was impressed at what he had seen. He then captured the mantis for further observation of it's defensive and offensive moves. The mantis then became Wang's inspiration for a new system. He organized the defensive and aggressive movements of the mantis into a human fighting art.
sounds like Wang Lang has a very good sense for analyzing nature. that is why i'm so interested with the chinese MA and at the same time hesitant of how Wang Lang followers might view me.
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It is regrettable that a person(s) treat a man who is valuable to them well, and a man that is worthless to them poorly.
Wang Lang was a superior swordsman who considered himself invincible. Rumor was, the Shaolin monks were unconquerable in the martial arts. Wang set out to disprove this claim. After challenging the monks and being defeated Lang retreated to the mountains. There he trained hard in his "Way of the Sword " (T'sien Tao) while exercising and strengthening his body. He then challenged the monks again. This time was able to beat the lowest monk and a monk of even higher rank but was soundly beaten by the head monk. With his pride wounded Wang disappeared into the forest for contemplation.
Had it not been for these defeats the Mantis style might never have been created. One day while sitting under a tree Wang heard the long shrill of a cicada on a low hanging branch just above his head. Wang spotted a fragile praying mantis in a life-or-death struggle with a heavy-bodied cicada. The cicada was pushing it's hard blunt head against the mantis nearly pinning it down with it's pincers, the mantis used it's strong spiny forelegs and biting mouth to grasp and subdue it. The mantis then consumed it's prey.
Wang was impressed at what he had seen. He then captured the mantis for further observation of it's defensive and offensive moves. The mantis then became Wang's inspiration for a new system. He organized the defensive and aggressive movements of the mantis into a human fighting art.
Nice...but this is one version....
There are others, excluding him as being the creator.
__________________ What do I know? Since I didn't post my styles or experience, I have no experience, no knowledge, no say.
That post before mine, was that for post counting? How about the one after?
Hey, my post count has the same palaverment tone as anyone elses'
I am studing Mantis in Shandong Province China now and that is the only story i've ever been told....do you know any of the other stories about how it was created?
I am studing Mantis in Shandong Province China now and that is the only story i've ever been told....do you know any of the other stories about how it was created?
What one has to remember is that these were myths, legends, stories, told by many raconteurs.
Story-telling was entertainment
__________________ What do I know? Since I didn't post my styles or experience, I have no experience, no knowledge, no say.
That post before mine, was that for post counting? How about the one after?
Hey, my post count has the same palaverment tone as anyone elses'
Interesting story and good information to know. (Despite the validity of the story.)
__________________ "An eye for an eye only blinds the world." - Ghandi
"Imagination is more important than knowledge." - Albert Einstein
"Without deviation from the norm progress is not possible." - Frank Zappa
yea atthe end of the day, it makes a good story even if it cant be proven and is probbly just legend
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Leisure may not be an option for this indefatigable human instrument of martial arts. It is the Tao, sort to speak passably, that he his set on such credenda, to which he may not abdicate. It is the WAY, the Do, of what certitude he has.
Styles: Jeet Kune Do (philosophy),Muay Thai,Kung Fu
Posts: 1,639
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I remember telling another story in another thread.
let me see if i can find it
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An ant on the move does more than a dozing ox.
Lao Tzu
"Be the change that you want to see in the world.. Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake."
Defending yourself, your beliefs, or your individuality is never easy as it only brings conflict....just look at the news, your school, or a Martial arts forum.....
I hear ya, there is no telling if the stories are true, they do love to tell em though. Here in China the story does seem to hold true, Praying Mantis is really well respected.
Styles: Jeet Kune Do (philosophy),Muay Thai,Kung Fu
Posts: 1,639
Home Country:
Quote:
Originally Posted by thane17
I hear ya, there is no telling if the stories are true, they do love to tell em though. Here in China the story does seem to hold true, Praying Mantis is really well respected.
yeha, i was actually learning Wah Lum, but i had to get switched out of that school due to transportation issues.
__________________
An ant on the move does more than a dozing ox.
Lao Tzu
"Be the change that you want to see in the world.. Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake."
Defending yourself, your beliefs, or your individuality is never easy as it only brings conflict....just look at the news, your school, or a Martial arts forum.....
I hear ya, there is no telling if the stories are true, they do love to tell em though. Here in China the story does seem to hold true, Praying Mantis is really well respected.
In China, the reason such stories hold true is to give mystique, merit, and credibility to things within its culture.
Hardly ever, does many things in China are spoken shin dai.
__________________ What do I know? Since I didn't post my styles or experience, I have no experience, no knowledge, no say.
That post before mine, was that for post counting? How about the one after?
Hey, my post count has the same palaverment tone as anyone elses'
Origin of mantis syle
Linear Mode
