Kung Fu and the Lion Dance

The beginnings of Praying Mantis Kung Fu stretch back through almost four centuries to eastern Shantung Province, China near a mountain known as Lao Shan (Lao mountain). It was there, about 350 to 400 years ago, that a monk named Wong Long went beyond his Shaolin Kung Fu teachings to create a fighting system second to none.

Praying Mantis (pronounced “Tong Long” in Chinese) Kung Fu is believed to have been inspired by a fight between a cicada and a praying mantis. The mantis, with its motionless stance, waited patiently for its prey to move within striking range. Unexpectedly, the scissors-like action of the mantis's front claws snared the attacking cicada immobilizing the larger insect before the mantis devoured it. Wong Long was entranced by the mantis's skill and caught the insect to study it.

Wong Long returned home and observed the emerald green mantis's techniques as it fought various insects. He replicated and adapted the creature's style of combat into his own fighting system.

The original praying mantis system of Wong Long included various mantis hand techniques along with footwork patterned after the monkey. As time went by the mantis system expanded into twelve styles: Seven Star, Tai Chi, Jut Sow (Wrestling Hands), Plum Flower, Six Combinations, Flat Plate, Secret Door, Jade Ring, Dragging Hand, Eight Step, Leg Detaching, and Rigid.

As a side note, during the 19th century a monk from the Jook Lum Monastery in Kwangsi Province observed a similar battle between a praying mantis and a bird. From his observations the southern praying mantis system evolved. However, this development occurred separately from the more famous northern styles.

The Lion, in China, is considered to be an animal symbolizing power, wisdom and good fortune.

The Lion and the Emperor

Lion dancing is believed to have originated during the Tang dynasty (618-906 AD). Legend has it that the emperor had a dream one night in which a strange looking animal saved his life. The next morning, the emperor described the dream to his ministers. One minister told the emperor that the strange animal resembled a creature from the West, a lion.

Since the strange animal saved the emperor in his dream, the lion quickly became a symbol of good luck throughout China. It was believed that a dancing lion chased away evil spirits. Today, lion dancing is still the most important opening ceremony for Chinese events and businesses. It's also a necessary ritual for businesses during the time of the Chinese New Year, for lion dancing evokes good luck in the upcoming year. Lions are not native to China, which explains why the "lion" in the dance acquired characteristics of the Chinese dragon and phoenix.

Elements of the Lion Head and Dancing

The lion head is constructed of a framework of bamboo and wire, with brightly colored, elaborately painted paper fleshing out its shape and is decorated with strings, fringes, tassels and bells. Within the head are bamboo levers and pull-strings that allow the lead dancer who carries the lion head to manipulate the lion's mouth, eyes, and ears. A long sheet of bright, multi-colored cloth forms the body and tail of the lion.

Usually two dancers perform as the lion: one dancer carries the head, the other becomes the lion's tail. The lion head is characterized by quick, lively movements, and is often raised high above the dancer. The movement of the mouth, eyes and ears helps to establish the lion's basic attitude. The footwork used by the lead dancer incorporates all of the various kung-fu stances and kicks.

The dancer performing in the lion tail is equally important, as lions have four legs. S/He must duplicate the lead dancer's stances while remaining in an awkward, stooped posture with restricted vision. This dancer may also be called upon to raise the lead dancer high in the air, performing as a lion on "hind legs".

The idea is to make the papier-mache and cloth lion appear real.

Both lion dancers must work especially on stance training to improve their strength. The heavy lion head requires a dancer with strong shoulders and arms. The dancer in the lion tail must have a strong back and legs in order to perform bent over the entire time.