The Northern Shaolin Seven-Star Praying Mantis System is one of the great fighting systems of kung fu. It was founded in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) by Wang Lang, a native of Shandong province who was an unshaven monk of the original Henan Shaolin Temple.

According to tradition, he created the system after witnessing a fight between a praying mantis and cicada. At first glance, it appeared as though the small mantis had a distinct disadvantage against such a large insect.

However, the aggressiveness, speed and strength of the mantis fascinated Wang Lang, as it was able to pin the cicada with its powerful forelegs. He took the mantis home with him so that he could further study it. He would prod the mantis using a reed to examine its movements and how it reacted to various situations.

Wang Lang would then imitate these actions and incorporate them with his other kung fu techniques. He would later also combine the footwork of the monkey with the foreleg movements of the mantis to create the mantis fist system of fighting.