
Northern praying mantis is a style characterized by fast hand movements. Thehook hands are the "trade mark" of the style and they are found in all the northernsub-styles. Northern Tang Lang Chuen's main weapon is the blinding speed of thehand trying to control and punch the opponent. It has a balanced combination ofcircular and straight movements.
Other important elements are the simultaneous block and punch, and strong choppingpunches. These are practical movements for full contact street fighting. SomeChinese martial artists say that Seven Star Praying Mantis Boxing (one of thepraying mantis sub-styles) is the most aggressive style created in China. Grappling,kicking, nerve-attack and weapons complete the northern branch.
Southern praying mantis is very different. It is an infighting system thatresembles Wing Chun. Chi Kung is very important in the Southern Praying Mantis.Movements are continuous and circular, soft and hard, except in attack, wherethe middle knuckle (phoenix eye) of the index finger is used like a needle topierce the internal organs. A punch with the fist produces an external muscularbruise, striking with the phoenix eye produces an internal bruise.