A Brief and Recent of History of Seven Star Mantis
There are numerous versions of this style which originates in the northern Chinese province of Saan Dung (Shan Dong). There are many stories and legends attached to the style which repor- tedly arose around the beginning of the Ching (Qing) Dynasty (mid-seventeenth century). More details will be provided in a more appropriate area of this site (along with links to other sites with similar material)
Suffice it to say, over the centuries, a number of sub-versions of the original arose. We hope to offer information to interested parties from many sources that wish to share what they have with us, the main sect or sub-version that will be discussed here most quickly and in greatest detail is the one that was brought to the south of China – Gwangjau and Hong Kong – sometime after the end of the First World War by Lo Gwong-Yuhk, a native of Saan Dung Province.
Visual History
We have tried to honor the history of Sifu Chiu Leun with fellowship and collaboration. We avoid blind or thoughtless interpretation of any particular tradition or aspect of history.
This has been partly done by have a series of annual dinners for many years where all were encouraged to accept, understand, and network among each other with respect and fellowship developed over time and exposure to each other area of focus.
Some of the past media from these events are below.
Note: While many teachers and organizations from particular areas and sub cultures of China and outside the PRC) martial arts is presented as only a physical individual combat self defense art, that is not the focus of this presented Visual History of our organization.
Things that one may observe are included:
- Military combat history,
- Self defense of mind,
- Self defense ones health
- Self defense in terms of human interaction.
We do not support the idea that our sects existance is determined by any one iinterpretation of the extremely subjective topic of physical individual self defense combat methods or techniques.
We embrace the idea that many ancient schools, western or modern methods influence martial systems and styles. We are a evolving arts and adaptive organization, not fixed a craft, we that embrace tradition, multi cultural comparative classical history and rational criticism thinking.
Some of Chiu Luen students came to his school not as beginners and he accepted our prior knowledge and lineage. What we already had learned was used that enhance our training, focus, but also fellowship and sense of community. Some students understand some aspects of training, martial history, and had medical knowledge better than others In class and over the decades since the school had been closed and out sects organization had evolved by collaboration, humility and fellowship. This also one reason we dont all do thing the same way.
While internally we do maintain records of what could call “the class techniques and forms”, we do accept, to a certain degree, later variants of material as practiced by various Chiu Leun students.
This also is keeping in mind, with humility that what we do is a regional, cultural and transition of time based variant of 7 Star Mantis that isalways changing and adapting.
While others may focus only on a interpretation of their sect or teacher’s methods we generally see our group differently. The Chiu Leun Sect experience only a part of our martial journey: different class members and short term martial guest got different things from the experience. But, all were encouraged to participate in fellowship and TRY to embrace the notion of acceptance.
Note: As a organization, I’m not speaking about our various affiliated instructors or sub group, we won’t endorse and encourage the idea martial arts are only validated by one person showing another person a combat or self defense technique on the so called “mat”, school floor, street, alleyway, or under other environmental conditions to prove something had value. Such behavior is often too subjective narcissistic and hedonistic.
In oue physical interactions in class were encouraged to be learn equally as possible from each other while it did always work out that way, many of use endeavored to TRY. This humility and patience is what has kept our organization still in existence. We don’t all openly teach 7 Star Mantis currently but in various creative ways we: collaboration, research, quietly support each other. This in many ways is legacy of the Chiu Leun school and focus of the organization.
Moreover, we are also not directly or indirectly supportive of the monetization of 7 Star Mantis as taught in the Chiu Leun school, we accept that others find such matters on interest.
We are exist as a: not for profit organization. There are individuals and other organizations that are involved in commercialmartial ventures that we socially and or as freely sources of research data.
Self defense training is actually only a part of the Chiu Leun organizations history, focus and current activities. Fellowship, research, network and cultural practices our interests and supported among open minded individuals and groups.
Chiu Leun-Annual Memorial Dinner 2006
Chiu Leun-Family Dinner 2007
Chiu Leun-Annual Memorial Dinner 2008
Chiu Leun-Annual Memorial Dinner 2009
Chiu Leun-Annual Memorial Dinner 2010
Chiu Leun-Annual Memorial Dinner 2011
Chiu Leun-Annual Memorial Dinner 2012
Chiu Leun-Annual Memorial Dinner 2013
Chiu Leun-Annual Memorial Dinner 2014
Chiu Leun-Annual Memorial Dinner 2015
Chiu Leun-Annual Memorial Dinner [Coming Soon]
Chiu Leun-Annual Memorial Dinner 2017
