Mantis Kung Fu History:

Author: Darin Sun | Initial publication date: December 8, 2011 | Latest revision date: October 24, 2019

郝家门太极梅花螳螂拳源流
The Hao Family System
Supreme Ultimate Plum Blossom Mantis Boxing
Origin and Development

Legendary Founder:
Wang Lang (王郎)

Mantis Boxing begins from the time around the end of the late Ming dynasty and beginning of the early Qing dynasty in the 17th century. Its origins are related to numerous legends and folklore. However, it is not necessary to repeat them all here. In the beginning Mantis Boxing was mainly spread near the border of Laiyang and Haiyang counties of Shandong province, China. Later it spread throughout China and the rest of the world. Supreme Ultimate Plum Blossom Mantis Boxing (太极梅花螳螂拳 tàijí méihuā tángláng quán), Supreme Ultimate Mantis Boxing (太极螳螂拳 tàijí tángláng quán), Seven Stars Mantis Boxing (七星螳螂拳 qīxīng tángláng quán), and Six Harmonies Mantis Boxing (六合螳螂拳 liùhé tángláng quán) are the four old schools of mantis boxing.

First generation descendant:
Li Bingxiao (李秉霄)

The early history of Mantis Boxing was not written down. Genuine historical documents begin with Li Bingxiao. According to Laiyang County Annals written records Li Bingxiao was from Small Chishan village, Chishan township, Laiyang county, Yantai prefecture, Shandong province. Because Master Li was good at using the hooking technique he was called Hooking Master (钩二爷 gōu èryé). According to the County Annals and Boxing Manual written records and, as well, oral legends Li Bingxiao was a main broadcaster of Mantis Boxing.

Second generation descendant:
Zhao Zhu (赵珠), courtesy-name Qilu (起禄)

Zhao Zhu, courtesy-name Qilu, was from Chishan village, Laiyang county, Yantai prefecture, Shandong province. From the time he was little he began both his scholarly education and practice of martial arts. His scholarly education was abundant and his martial arts was exceptional. He learned the full extent of Li Bingxiao’s teachings.

Third generation descendant:
Liang Xuexiang (梁学香), courtesy-name Shupu (书圃)

Liang Xuexiang, courtesy-name Shupu, was from Yushan-kuang village, Facheng country side, Haiyang County, Yantai prefecture, Shandong province. He broke the Mantis Boxing tradition of only passing on the teachings to one disciple. He passed on his art widely. He taught in Haiyang County, Laiyang County, Qixia County, Huang County, Wendeng County, Zhizhong County, and Rongcheng County.

Family: Liang Jingchuan (son), and more

Students: In addition to his family his students include Hao Hong, Cong Zhuozhang, Jiang Hualong, Jiang Laoqi, Li Minghuan, Shi Gudu, Sun Ying, Sun Yuanchang, Wang Chengzhi, Wang Guifang, Xiu Kunshan, Zhang Wenqing, Zhu Yongxiu, and more

Fifth generation descendant:
Hao Hengyi (郝恒仪) 1885-1923

Hao Hengyi is Hao Hong’s 1st son. He taught in Beijing, Haerbin, and Jinan and was appointed as a martial arts instructor for Zhang Zongchang’s army. He passed away early in life around the age of 38.

Fifth generation descendant:
Hao Henglu (郝恒禄), courtesy-name Suitang (绥唐) 1887-1948

Hao Henglu, courtesy-name Sui Tang, literary-name Yun Guzi, high-reputation-name Hao old virtue. He is Hao Hong’s 2nd son. Since childhood he followed his father in studying martial arts. Throughout his life he researched martial arts and was the best among his brothers. Hao Henglu formed the basis of Mantis Boxing swordplay by absorbing the best features of every family’s swordplay. He began to make a reputation in the martial art circles for his Mantis Bodhidharma Straight-sword. His swordplay reached perfection, his skill was extremely strong, and his style had special characteristics. He was appointed as the martial art instructor for Wu Peifu’s military and was the owner of a martial art school in Penglai. Because of an invitation from his friend, a famous master named Wang Ziping (王子平), he moved to Shanghai in 1943 and taught at the famous Jingwu association for 5 years until he passed away in 1948. Throughout his life he taught in Yantai, Qingdao, Penglai, Haerbin, Shanghai, and Beijing.

Family: Hao Bin (郝斌) (son), Hao Shuying (郝淑英) (daughter), Hao Shumin (郝淑敏) (daughter), Hao Shuqin (郝淑琴) (daughter)

Fifth generation descendant:
Hao Hengchang (郝恒常) 1889-1942

Hao Hengchang is Hao Hong’s 3rd son. He worked as a farmer throughout his life but did not practice martial arts.

Family: Hao Jian (Son)

Fifth generation descendant:
Hao Hengxin (郝恒信), courtesy-name Suilin (绥林) 1893-1957

Hao Hengxin, nicknamed Hao 4th tiger, is Hao Hong’s 4th son. He was known for his hard energy exercises. He taught in Yantai for ten years and was an instructor at the Yantai special administrative region martial art school.

Family: Hao Zhongyue (郝忠岳) (son), Hao Yuejuan (郝月娟) (daughter)

Fifth generation descendant:
Hao Hengpo (郝恒坡) 1904-1960

Hao Hengpo, nicknamed 5th monkey, is Hao Hong’s 5th son. His martial arts was strong and he was flexible like a monkey. Because his father died in 1914 when he was around 10 years old he, along with Hao Hengxiang and Hao Bin, studied mantis boxing under his older brother Hao Henglu. He taught in Jinan, Penglai, Qingdao, and Dalian. 

Fifth generation descendant:
Hao Hengxiang (郝恒祥) 1906-1943

Hao Hengxiang is Hao Hong’s 6th son. Because his father died in 1914 when he was around 8 years old he, along with Hao Hengpo and Hao Bin, studied mantis boxing under his older brother Hao Henglu. Hao Hengxiang’s main disciples are Hao Yongjie, Jia Shishan, Jiang Qinfang, and Jiang Wanjing.

Sixth generation descendant:
Hao Bin (郝斌), courtesy-name Shanqing (善卿) 1906-1984

Hao Bin, courtesy-name Shanqing, is the son of Hao Henglu. Since childhood he followed his grandfather Hao Hong and father Hao Henglu practicing martial arts. At 18 years old he became the champion of the Shandong province martial arts competition. Throughout his life he taught martial arts as his career and is a representative individual of Supreme Ultimate Plum Blossom Mantis Boxing the Hao Family System. He was an expert at Mantis Bodhidharma Straight-sword and Summary Boxing, he was excellent at fighting, and was highly skilled. In his lifetime he competed with countless people and was never defeated. Hao Bin was appointed as the final manager of the Muping County martial arts school. Furthermore, he taught in Muping, Yantai, Qingdao, and the Northeast three provinces. In order to develop the study of Chinese Martial Arts he spared no effort to travel extensively and held nothing back. He taught by verbal instruction as well as by personal example. He set an example within the martial arts society. His descendants are innumerable and spread all over the world. Nowadays, students from Shandong, Dongbei, every part of the country, and all over the world are proud descendants of the Hao Family System Supreme Ultimate Plum Blossom Mantis Boxing. Hao Bin was a prominent figure throughout his life and was devoted to mantis boxing. He played an important role in the flourishing development of mantis boxing.

Family: Hao Weizhi (郝维志) (son), Sun Delong (孙德龙) (nephew), Sun Deyao (孙德尧) (nephew), Sun Dexiao (孙德孝) (nephew), Qu Zijun (曲滋君) (nephew)

Sixth generation descendant:
Hao Shuying (郝淑英)

Hao Shuying is Hao Henglu’s 1st daughter.

Sixth generation descendant:
Hao Shumin (郝淑敏)

Hao Shumin is Hao Henglu’s 2nd daughter. Hao Shumin, her husband Sun Ziyu, and her children lived together with her brother Hao Bin and his family in the same home. Her children Sun Delong, Sun Deyao, and Sun Dexiao studied with her brother Hao Bin throughout the rest of his life.

Family: Sun Delong (孙德龙) (son), Sun Deyao (孙德尧) (son), Sun Dexiao (孙德孝) (son), and more.

Sixth generation descendant:
Hao Shuqin (郝淑琴)

Hao Shuqin is Hao Henglu’s 3rd daughter. Her son Qu Zijun (曲滋君) studied with her brother Hao Bin when he lived in Yantai.

Family: Qu Zijun (曲滋君) (son)

Sixth generation descendant:
Hao Zhongyue (郝忠岳) 1936-2000

Hao Zhongyue is the son of Hao Hengxin. He had two sons but they did not practice martial arts.

Sixth generation descendant:
Hao Yuezhuan (郝月娟) 19xx-2019

Hao Yuezhuan is the daughter of Hao Hengxin. Her sons Hao Mingli and Hao Mingwen began studying with Hao Bin in 1978 just a few years before he passed away in 1984. They later continued studying under Hao Bin’s nephew Qu Zhijun.

Family: Hao Mingli (郝明立) (d. 10/19/2019), Hao Mingwen (郝明文).

Seventh generation descendant, Hao Family System Fourth generation:
Hao Weizhi (郝维志) 1934 – 1994

Hao Weizhi (11/10/1934 – 9/15/1994) is Hao Bin’s son. Since childhood he followed his grandfather Hao Henglu and his father Hao Bin who drilled him and handed down the family traditions of Supreme Ultimate Plum Blossom Mantis Boxing which gave him a deep understanding of the authentic teachings. Later he taught in Shanyang and Chaoyang and had many disciples.

Seventh generation descendant, Hao Family System Fourth generation:
Sun Delong (孙德龙) 1942-present

Sun Delong was born in 1942 in Xizhuyan village, Yantai city, Shandong (烟台市西珠岩村). Since childhood he studied Mantis Boxing from his mother’s brother Master Hao Bin. He currently teaches in Qingdao, Shandong.

Seventh generation descendant, Hao Family System Fourth generation:
Sun Deyao (孙德尧) 1953-present

Master Sun Deyao was born on May 16th 1953 in Qingdao China and is the grandson of Hao Henglu. Since he was five years old he followed his mother’s brother Master Hao Bin and studied Supreme Ultimate Plum Blossom Praying Mantis Boxing for decades with relentless hard work. He was the overall champion winning 1st place in the first, second, and third Jinan International Martial Art Invitational Tournaments in 1993, 1996, and 1998. In particular in 1999 for the fourth Jinan International Martial Art Invitational Tournament he was awarded first place and overall winner of the Grandmasters Championship. In the 1997 Italian International Martial Art Competition he received 1st place. In 2001 he received first place in the United States Masters International Invitational Tournament. Furthermore, he was invited to travel to the United States, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Argentina, Russia, Korea, and Hong Kong as a judge for Martial Arts tournaments. He has students all over the world in more than 30 countries and regions. Because of the depth of the traditional teachings of Supreme Ultimate Plum Blossom Praying Mantis Boxing he was elected as a committee member of the Shandong Province Martial Arts Association as well as entered into the book Chinese Martial Art Experts. Now he devotes his efforts to promoting Martial Arts internationally.

1. Appointed as a committee member of the Qingdao Supreme Ultimate Plum Blossom Mantis Boxing research association, Shandong Province
2. Shandong, Yantai Supreme Ultimate Plum Blossom Mantis Boxing association executive director
3. Heilongjiang, Harbin Supreme Ultimate Plum Blossom Mantis Boxing research association advisor
4. Shandong, Weifang Mantis Boxing research association advisor
5. Shandong, Tengzhou Aolin martial art school vice-principle and instructor
6. Shandong, Taian Shenzhou martial art school advisor
7. Shandong, Laiwu martial art school vice-principle and instructor
8. Shandong, Laiwu martial art association vice-president
9. United States International Supreme Ultimate Plum Blossom Mantis Boxing martial art school president
10. Argentina Zhongba martial art school honorary chief
11. o Flying dragon martial art school honorary chief

Seventh generation descendant, Hao Family System Fourth generation:
Sun Dexiao (孙德孝)

Sun Dexiao since childhood has followed his mother’s brother Master Hao Bin and practiced his family’s Supreme Ultimate Plum Blossom Mantis Boxing. He obtained a deep understanding of the authentic teachings especially of Bodhidharma Straight-sword and even more so of Eight Elbows Boxing. He has an especially high level of understanding of the applications.

Seventh generation descendant, Hao Family System Fourth generation:
Qu Zijun (曲滋君) 1947-2014

Qu Zijun, also known as: Qu Zhijun. He was the child of Hao Bin’s 3rd sister. He followed Hao Bin and practiced Supreme Ultimate Plum Blossom Mantis Boxing. He was located in Yantai and taught disciples there. Later he established the Yantai Supreme Ultimate Plum Blossom Mantis Boxing Federation. He passed away August 13, 2014.