Style of kung fu. There are two distinct styles of Praying Mantis, a northern and a southern style. These are quite independent styles, the only conection being that they were inspired by the mantis insect.

The northern style (T'ang L'ang Ch'uan) has many different sub-styles, but all share in common the use of the mantis hook, where the hand is held in such a way as to resemble a mantid's talon. This is used for striking and blocking and also for a locking action which can be used for sticking or leading moves. Elbow strikes and nimble footwork are also commonly employed.

Northern Praying Mantis has its origins in the Shaolin Temple in the Honan province. It is said that the founder was Wang Lang who practised kung fu at the Honan temple c1600AD and based his new art on the movements of a praying mantis after seeing the insect overcoming a much larger cicada. The style diversified and spread as "family" styles almost certainly because of the training that was given by Shaolin monks to rebel forces during the 17th century when the temple became a centre for resistance against the Manchus.

The Southern style, which also goes by the name "Bamboo forest", uses the mantis hook but does not use the closed fist of other styles. Instead it uses the mantis fist which concentrates all the striking force through one finger. Knees and elbows are also used for striking as are low powerful kicks. There are few feints or jabs, all focus being on powerful and potentially lethal attacks.

Unlike its well dispersed and popularised northern counterpart, the southern style is a secretive art developed for defense by the Hakka Chinese who were considered outsiders by the indigenous population of the Kwangsi province.