Synopsis of the State of Mantis
In mainland China, it is generally acknowledged that there are 4 main branches of Shandong Tanglangquan. They are Meihua (plum blossom), Taiji (grand ultimate), Qixing (seven stars), and Liuhe (six harmonies). There are substyles and hybrid styles that came out of these 4 main branches.
It is commonly agreed upon that Wang Lang/Wong Long was the founder of the praying mantis system. This is based mainly on an exsiting Quanpu (manuscripts) that is called Luohan Xing Gong Duanda (Arhat’s short strikes) which is believed to be an indigenous Shandong pugilistic system existed sometime between early Ming to mid Qing dynasty (approx. 1644 - 1780 CE). Many versions of this manuscript are available including couple that influenced Meihua (greater Meihua Line) and Qixing. IMHO Meihua basically adsorbed the concepts and principles of the LHXGDD and subsequent manuscripts were written by the progenitor of the GML - Liang Xuexiang (1810 - ? CE); while, Qixing keeps the version of that manuscript pretty much intact. The theoretical portion of the LHXGDD is known as Shaolin Yi Bol Zhen Chuan (A.K.A Shaolin Authentic).
Since I am not a Qixing or Liuhe practitioner, I will not comment further on their development here. I will however describe briefly the Greater Meihua Line’s development.
There is without a doubt that Liang Xuexiang is the progenitor of the GML as we know it. The GML is composed of 3 main substyles - Meihua, Taji Meihua, and Taiji.
These substyle distinctions happened because of Liang Xuexiang changed the convention of private teaching to public teaching. This attracted a lot of other styles practitioner to his Tanglangquan. They brought in a lot of different material as well. All 3 designations of the substyles came form an entry found in Liang’s Quanpu about the profile of Tanglang Pugilism in which the Meihua and Taiji referred to the hands of the Mantis.
The difference between the substyles is both geographical and structural.
Meihua is possibly the earilest and the widest spread of them all. It’s found in Haiyang, Laiyang, Yantai, Qingdao etc. It has not only the core of mantis (3 mother forms and 6 Zhaiyao) but also the white ape series. Weaponry aren’t that extensive.
Taiji Meihua used to be mainly found in Yantai City, old Capital of Shandong. But are now found further north east into old Manchurian territories. Also internationally it is quite well known these days. It has the core of mantis, white ape series, long fist (Sun Bin Quan?) materials that are found in local armed escort service and extensive weaponry with spear (Hao family) being the creme de la creme weapon.
Taiji is perhaps the one that is remained close to the fundamentals of Tanglangquan. It is mainly taught in Laiyang, Haiyang (Liang’s home County) and Yantai (via Chi Shoujin). The Qingdao contingent is started by Wang Yushan, son-in-law of Song Zide I believe. There are the 3 mother forms, 7 sections of Zhaiyao, and Digong Men material (groundfighting - Liang’s early art). It has focus on lots of Tanglang Shou Fa (otherwise known as Mishou) and emphasis on both both Hard & Soft Qigong. Weaponry is miminal. In some ways, this is the back to be basic substyle amongst the GML IMHO.
There are 2 main lines in the Taiji Tanglang - Sun Yuanchang and Jiang Hualong-Song Zide. Both Sun and Jiang are Liang Xue Xiang’s outstanding students. Jiang Hualong created Babu Tanglang (8 Step). It is believed that Sun Yuanchang taught publically in Haiyang with Meihua Tanglang; while, he taught his honoray son, Chi Shoujin, who taught GM Zhao Zhuxi (Chiu Chuk Kai 1900 - 1991 CE) Taiji Tanglang. GM Chiu took it a step further into developing what I would consider a hybrid style of Taiji Tanglang that includes his Taizu Men (also his link to armed escort service), Jingwu Men, Taijiquan (Chen style) and Yong Chun wooden dummy work to form CCK TCPM. Having said that I would caution that it was never his intention to develop a hybrid style of Tanglang. He had always called it Taiji Tanglang or Tai Chi Tong Long. It’s just that his experiences warranted IMHO a distinction that his students and grand students including yours truely proposed posthumously the designation of CCK TCPM.
Hope this helps
Mantis108
