Martial Calligraphy

星螳螂拳源由、历史及简介

从山东南传到香港发扬光大的北方少林七星螳螂拳
始祖王朗祖师与历代传人
王朗祖师出生於山东，为明末清初(公元1609年-1644年)反清复明义士，因逃避清兵追捕，逃入嵩山少林寺避难，因而在寺内一段很长时间与寺僧人相处，日夕苦练拳械，在一日黄昏时候在寺内树丛草地上看见一只蝉被螳螂抓住不能飞脱，王朗细察螳螂的一对前臂非常有力，使到被抓住的物件不易失脱！因而引发王朗的好奇，随手拿起树枝向螳螂挑拨。发觉螳螂动作强劲有力动作敏捷，王朗每日捉螳螂观察其反击攻防动作，将其混入王朗曾经学习过十七家的拳法，创出螳螂拳法，后来更加入猿猴步，成为螳螂手，猿猴步。而每一动作劲力皆发自头，肩，肘，手，腰，膝，脚，七位一体连成一势，形态如天上北斗七星，亦为螳螂拳的攻防桩手，刚柔并重，刚而不僵，柔而不软，快而不乱，虚实互用，长短兼施，快打慢，招之即打，打之即招，不招即打，连消带打，形随意转，快速敏捷，击手必连及步，步到拳到，动作一气呵成，勇猛进取，因而称为七星螳螂拳。

七星螳螂拳的十八家法详情如下：
1.以太祖长拳为首，2.韩通的通背为母，3.郑恩的缠封尤妙，4.温元的短拳更奇，5.马籍的短打最奇，6.孙恒的猴拳且盛，7.黄粘的靠身难近，8.绵张的面掌飞疾，9.金相的磕手通拳，10.怀德的摔捋硬崩，11.刘兴的抅搂采手，12.谭方的滚漏贯耳，13.燕青的占拿跌法，14.林冲的鸳鸯脚强，15.孟苏的七势连拳，16.崔连的窝里剖锤，17.杨滚的棍采直入，18.王朗的螳螂总敌

王朗祖师在少林寺创出七星螳螂拳后，曰夕与寺僧研练，直至晚年隐居山东崂山。传授升霄道人，而升霄道人云游四海，七星螳螂拳开始在民间流传。后传李三剪，道光年间海阳李三剪在济南开设镇远镖局，盛名远播，有闪电手之称，后传王荣生，王荣生是光绪年末科武举人，1854年5月1日出生於烟台西关福山县。王荣生传即墨县范旭东，范旭东体格雄伟魁悟，精通铁沙掌和十八罗汉气功，曾有次行经田野间，见有二牛抵角，擦身而过，二牛却反扑向范公,范公见来势凶猛，先起脚踢向一牛的腹部，牛即应声倒地，另一牛被范公用手握其角，右掌用力击向牛首，当场将牛打昏倒地！由此盛名远播。范旭东再传罗光玉，山东蓬莱人，1889年出生，终於1944年，终年55岁。1919年罗光玉被邀请到上海中央精武体育会任教。

1928年其弟子马成鑫(马建超)参加全国运动会第一届国术比赛,荣膺榜首，七星螳螂拳名振一时，当时鹰爪派陈子正，潭腿派赵连和与罗光玉齐名，同称精武三大教师!各地精武会纷纷去函邀请罗光玉担任教务，同时总会当局命罗师南下视察会务，因此足迹遍及南中国与马来群岛。末几逢中国一二八战役事变,中央精武首当其冲，损失殆尽，会务亦陷停顿。在1930年后至1941年香港精武体育会敦聘罗师南来香港，有一次精武会与罗师於太平大戏院接待张之江先生领导中央国术馆馆员作海外宣传国术之举，特地亲自表演惯用之器械三节棍。又名蟠龙棍，在台上表演到猛虎翻身一式，即将三节棍断为三段，台下观众报以热烈掌声，各人都以此深厚功力为佳话！罗师除教授拳术套路外，更着重搏击手法，每次回到精武会上课，当徒弟踏入大门时，罗师会突然攻击手脚并用来试探徒弟的反应。曾有一次与赵志民恩师经过南华体育会球场遇到一位外派师傅，身材健硕，要与罗师较量，罗师指派赵志民恩师与他比试，赵志民恩师只是一招登山插掌，就将对方打倒。罗师於1938年命赵志民恩师与其他师兄弟成立民强体育会由赵志民恩师任主席，并经政府立案，会址湾仔凤凰台。1941年日本打香港，罗师即回上海，后得悉三十年来血汗所积之薄田数拾亩，被乡间族兄弟出卖，复因次子长弟，夭折於天津，罗师刺激过度，於是年农历元霄节日在沪众弟子贺年后黯然逝世。享年五十有六，遗下妻妾及四子二女，卜葬於上海山东公墓。罗光玉宗师服务精武体育会中1919年至1942年共20余年为七星螳螂拳由北方带到南方，继而后学发扬到世界各地。

罗光玉宗师传授第六传入室弟子赵志民恩师简史
赵志民恩傅系精武耆宿1924年加入香港精武体育会学习潭腿，鹰爪派和太极拳。至1930年正式跟随罗光玉祖师研习七星螳螂拳，赵志民恩师得自罗光玉祖师亲授拳法及器械，罗祖师并透露七星螳螂派巳包括梅花螳螂，光斑螳螂拳等拳法之精华在内。赵志民恩师刻苦练习，拳法进步一曰千里!后得罗光玉祖师器重，任命为助教，同期间精武各位元老推选赵志民恩师担任会中理事长和国术科科长，精武会为表扬赵志民恩师在会务上之贡献，特别颁赠牌扁一面作为纪念!罗师於1938年命赵志民恩师与其他师兄弟成立民强体育会由赵志民恩师任主席，并经政府立案，会址湾仔凤凰台。直至1941年日本打香港才与罗光玉祖师离别。再在1981年至1983年重任香港精武体育会教授七星螳螂拳，1984年退休，1985年任命第七传入室弟子李锦荣师传加入精武体育会接任七星螳螂拳教务至今。

七星螳螂派的历代传人：(以下人名表纪录曾经出任教学者,其他传人太多不能尽录)
始祖王朗--第1传 升霄---2传 李三剪 (李义春)--- 3传 王荣生 (王云生)
4 传 范旭东---5传 罗光玉--6传 郭子硕,
5传 罗光玉--6传 郭子硕---7传 郭华威(广州), 7传 黄钻明(广州),
7传 陈 执(广州)
7传 郭华威(广州),--------8传 钟伟航, ,
5 传 罗光玉----6传 林伯炎 (星加坡)
5传 罗光玉----6传 陈震仪 (香 港)---7传(香港)陆慧心
5传 罗光玉-----6传 黄锦洪 (马来西亚梹城)
6传 黄锦洪 (马来西亚梹城)-----7传 黄百忠, 许安慈,黄秀丽,王钦褔,巫石坚,洪清助,韩福丰,黄贵华,黄祥杰
5传 罗光玉-----6传 赵志民 (香 港)
6传 赵志民-----7传 屈盛松 (香 港)---8传 崔永成 (澳洲)
7传 新加坡陈国华
7传 菲律宾许伟鹏
7传 赵长伦(美国)-8传 黄子雨,Carl Albrigt,8传Raymond Fogg--9传 郑达志—Derrick Wright
7传 曾荣根 (香港)
7传 李锦荣 (香港)8传入室弟子香港---郭荣浩, 陈仕鸿, 余富强,
宏健威,林子明,董富,冼霆锋,
8 SUCCESSORS –(England)Derek Frearson, Malcolm J.Franklin
(Germany)Brunke Bast,(Germany)Nicolai schild
(Italy)Sergio Marzicchi , (Italy) Pierluigi Barbieri
(Hungary)Laszlo Kovacs (U.S.A.)Raul Ortiz,(U.S.A.)Brian Bateman
7传 陈新发 (香港)---8传 陈庆强
7傅 雷 明 (美国)—-8传yamel Torres
6传 黄汉勋---7傅 (香港)苏少明7傅 (香港)屈镇强7传 (香港)叶炯财
7传 (香港)丁瑞光7传 (香港)梁宜海7传 (香港)源汶湝7传 (美国)钟浩然
7傅 (加拿大) 郑龙川
7传 (美国) 黎达冲---8传 朱超然
7傅 (香港) 屈镇强---8传 廖强,陈泗, 张初环, 赵善耐, ,龚四海,
7傅 屈镇强-(嫡传)---8传 屈锦华,屈伟华
8传 张初环---------9传 黄荣发 , 胡其祥
5传 林景山(山东)—6传—胡永福,7传--李占元,--8传--刘崇禧,陈乐平,高兴亮
6传—胡永福,7传—李世帅,胡东明
6传—钟连宝,7传—王立国,钟响,张宏彦,陈培良
6传—王小飞,7传--王庆齐,8传--朱先志,霍瑞亭
6传—王传义,7傅--马光友,齐学元,迟学元,王茂生
6传—于海,于天路
5传--郭嘉禄
5传--杨维新—6传--萧树斌--7传—张庆和,傅有贵
5传—杨维新—6传—董世训,刘运昌



Wang Lang(王郎)The founder of Praying Mantis Boxing at the beginning of Qing Dynasty in China
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Taoist priest named Sheng Xiao (升宵道人)
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Li Zhijian (李三剪) (1810 – 光緒十七年)
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Wang Yunsheng (王榮生) 生於(1854 – 1926)
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Fan Xudong (范旭東) (1841 – 1935)
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Luo Guangyu (羅光玉) (1888 – 1944)
He was invited as an ambassador for mantis boxing by the central committee of Shanghai Chinwoo and later was transferred to Hong Kong Chinwoo. He is a prominent figure in both the mantis boxing and Chinwoo history
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Wong Kam Hong (黄锦洪) (1917 – 1991)
He migrated from Hong Kong to Penang. Having teaching in Penang Chinwoo for a while before founding his own Penang Tang Lang Martial Arts Association.
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Yong Boon Toh (楊文道) (1917 – 1993)
He is my master. Being a coach in Malacca Chinwoo Athletic Association since 1960’s until his death in 1993. I joined Malacca Chinwoo in 1990.
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Shervmen Loi (雷彬) (1973)
And finally me, who start practicing this form of wushu from 1991 onwards. Mr. Tan Soo Chong (陈書张) (1951), my senior brother who taught me on behalf of my master who already in his 70’s then



马六甲七星螳螂拳
1. 十八 叟 拳 Shi Ba Shou Quan (Eighteen Folks Boxing)
2. 插 捶 拳 Cha Chui Quan (Thrusting Fist Boxing)
3. 崩 步 拳 Perng Pu Quan (Step Shooting Boxing)
4. 躲 剛 拳 Duo Gang Quan (Hidden Force Boxing)
5. 飛雁 掌 拳 Fei Yen Zhang Quan (Flying Goose Palm Boxing)
6. 梅 花 手 拳 Mei Hua Shou Quan (Plum Blossom Hand Boxing)
7. 梅 花 落 拳 Mei Hua Luo Quan (Plum Blossom Falling Boxing)
8. 梅 花 拳 Mei Hua Quan (Plum Blossom Boxing)
9. 大 架 式 拳 Da Jia Shi Quan (Major Form Boxing)
10. 小 架 式 拳 Xiao Jia Shi Quan (Minor Form Boxing)
11. 大 翻 車 拳 Da Fan Che Quan (Major Wheel Boxing)
12. 小 翻 車 拳 Xiao Fan Che Quan (Minor Wheel Boxing)
13. 四 路 奔 打 拳 Serz Lu Pern Da Quan (Four-Step Fight Boxing)
14. 四 路 分 打 拳 Serz Lu Fern Da Quan (Four-Step Split Boxing)
15. 力 劈 拳 Li Pi Quan (Strength Forcing Boxing)
16. 黑 虎 出 洞 拳 Hei Hu Zhu Dong Quan (Black Tiger Stepping Out Boxing)
17. 黑 虎 交 叉 拳 Hei Hu Jiao Zha Quan (Black Tiger Intersectional Boxing)
18. 白 猿 偷 桃 拳 Bai Yen Tou Dao Quan (White Ape Stealing Peaches Boxing)
19. 白 猿 出 洞 拳 Bai Yen Zhu Dong Quan (White Ape Stepping Out Boxing)
20. 柔 靈 拳 Rou Ling Quan
21. 攔 截 拳 Lan Jie Quan

Grandmaster Luo Guang Yu, 1888 - 1944

The Malaccan Seven Stars Mantis Boxing belongs to Luo Guang Yu lineage.

The name SEVEN STARS of Seven Stars Mantis Boxing

The seven stars (Qi = Seven, Xing = Star), of the name Qixing Tanglang are another defining quality of the system. The name is taken from the Northern Hemisphere constellation known in China simply as Qixing or Seven Stars.


The constellation plays many roles in Chinese mythology and religion and is a theme commonly found throughout Chinese martial tradition, both as a name of boxing systems and as a symbol in the emblem of various sects. The Qixing mark is often found impressed upon the blades and handles of Chinese weapons and is prominent in both Buddhist and Daoist iconography.

In Chinese Boxing, the Seven Stars are generally a symbolic representation of seven principles, seven methods, seven techniques or seven components. In the case of Qixing Tanglang Quan, the Qixing represents the harmony and cohesion of the seven major body components: Head, Shoulder, Elbow, Fist, Hip, Knee and Foot, during the execution of Seven Star Mantis Boxing techniques.

The basic idea is that the components of the body and all that lies in between must be correctly linked or coordinated to effectively transmit Qixing Tanglang's characteristic power. A good Qixing boxer must strive to harmonise the Qixing. This Seven Star theory was originally inherited from Qixing Quan, a Shaolin family boxing system, and is absent from the theory of the other major schools of Tanglang.

In general Qixing Tanglang appears more athletic and therefore perhaps in layman's terms more 'external' in nature with its deep stances, distant stepping, sudden long-range leaps and charges and wide, smashing blows. This is not to say that the sister sects of Qixing are lacking in power or combat effectiveness, they are merely different in some aspects and in fact, identical in others. Overall, the similarities between the various branches of the Mantis Boxing family greatly outweigh the differences; it is common knowledge in martial circles that all forms of Tanglang Quan are superior. The unique characteristics and subtle differences distinguishing the various branches are not enough to divorce them from one another but are certainly valuable enough to preserve as treasures of the art.

Technique Application 10

Refering to the diagram above, B attacks A with a bottle. A blocks it with his right hand. Then hooking B's right wrist with the same blocking hand and pulling it downward like being shown in diagram 2. Such action leaves B's upper part expose to A assault. A lays his hand forward and pushing towards B's neck. This would cause B loses his body balance with A's left leg behind B's right.

Technique Application 9 - Bottle Assault

Refering to the illustration above: B tries to hit A's head with an empty glass bottle. A stops B's attempt with a left hand up-blocking move. Immediately, A's left blocking hand should mantis-hook(catch) B's right hand at the wrist. At the same time A take a step forward on his left leg towards the outer side of B's right leg. Once B's wrist is being hooked, A pushing it forward to the left. While A's right hand reach unto B's bent elbow and further pushing effort applies here in a slanting downward manner this time to cause B losing his gravitational balance.

Video - Perng Pu Quan

The traditional Taolu that I performed in the video above is the 1930's version of Seven Stars Mantis Boxing which was propagated by late Grandmaster Luo Guang Yu.