Master Ding of Northern Praying Mantis
Of all the masters in Northern Praying Mantis, Ding Zi Cheng is recognized as one of the most famous of the style, Six Harmonies Praying Mantis.
Ding Zi Cheng
Ding Zi Cheng began his education learning traditional Confucian philosophy as a member of the upper class. Originally meant to pursue a career as an official with such education, Ding Zi Cheng strayed from this path to pursue something he found more interesting: the martial arts.
Ding Zi Cheng first began training in the martial arts in a style that was developed by his family members, Master Ding Jie Tong, Master Song Yong Tong, and Master Chuan Er Tong. This style, called Boxing of the Three Tongs (San Tong Quan in Chinese), originated in Shandong Province where he lived. He continued on to learn other styles of martial arts and Qigong (particularly Iron Sand Palm), including Tai Chi Chuan and Six Harmonies Praying Mantis (Liu He in Chinese).
After becoming a disciple of Master Lin Shi Chun, a recognized teacher of Six Harmonies Praying Mantis, his reputation flourished. He had amassed comprehensive knowledge of varieties of self defence techniques and movements that he was no longer Ding Zi Cheng, but was known instead as Master Ding.
Once an accomplished martial artist, Master Ding taught Six Harmonies Praying Mantis to students in Shandong Province, in a strict and regimented routine of drills, forms practice, and sparring. Many of his students have become recognized teachers themselves, spreading and popularizing the style throughout the world.