Liuhe Tanglangquan Introduction

Style and Characteristics of Liuhe Tanglangquan

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Liuhe Tanglangquan, in the course of the evolution and transmission of Mantis Boxing, draws upon the strengths of numerous traditional Chinese martial arts (including Taiji, Xingyi, Bagua, Tongbei, Xinyi Liuhe, and Bajiquan). Rooted in the philosophy of Yin and Yang, it takes the Six Harmonies (the three internal and three external harmonies) as its essence, silk-reeling spirals as its core energy, the Chicken Stance and Great Ape Posture as its foundation, axe-blade kicks and whipping leg techniques as its primary leg methods, the hooking-and-grasping hands (Mantis Hook–Grab–Return Hand) and Millstone Hand as its fundamental hand methods, and the Three Fist Strikes as its mother strikes, from which the system develops its distinctive style.

Characteristics of Liuhe Tanglangquan

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The movements of Liuhe Tanglangquan open and close, expand and contract, combining long and short actions with rising and lowering motions. Techniques are tight, compact, and interconnected, embodying a balanced blend of hardness and softness—short movements containing long power,  and softness concealing hardness. Footwork is firm and solid yet agile in advance and retreat. Hand techniques are dense, continuous, and fast, highly adaptable with multiple changes in a single motion. Every move integrates both attack and defense—"the moment a technique appears, it can strike; when it strikes, it creates the next technique"—unpredictable and ever-changing. Hands, eyes, body, and steps coordinate precisely, with intention, breath, and power unified as one.

Principles of Liuhe Tanglangquan

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Its principles are based on the internal and external Six Harmonies of the human body and the Yin-Yang theory of Taiji. Its natural hand methods arise from the offensive and defensive actions of the two mantis forelimbs. It incorporates the strengths of arts such as Taiji, Xingyi, Bagua, Tongbei, and Xinyi Liuhe, with a focus on practical combat—thus forming its unique system. It emphasizes “training the way you issue power” and “striking naturally as movements flow.” Techniques should be direct and decisive: “Open the door and strike straight in; extend the hand and attack immediately. Step closely and continuously; every move should land with precision.”

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Verse

Mind and intent in harmony follow nature;
Intent and qi sink and guard the dantian.
Where the steps arrive, the hands arrive, and power arrives;
The subtle method lies within the movement of intent.