Wang Lang, who was a Buddhist of the Shaolin Monastery (Ming Dynasty, 1368 A.D.) is credited as the founder of Praying Mantis Kung Fu. One day, when he was sitting in the garden of the Monastery, he found that a Cicada was firmly caught by a Praying Mantis. The Cicada was helplessly overwhelmed by the Praying Mantis. As Wang Lang watched the upright and stable body of the Praying Mantis, he was promptly convinced and picked up a reed of stalk to brush the Praying Mantis away. The Praying Mantis immediately raised up its two rigid and speedy forearms and gripped at the reed of stalk. Wang Lang was caught with interest and continued to brush the reed of stalk at the Praying Mantis from different directions. The principles of offense and self-defense; and the spirit of the brave Praying Mantis, made Wang Lang calm his mind and quietly watch every move and posture. Wang Lang felt that the brave and speedy force of the Praying Mantis could be put into practice within the Chinese Martial Arts.

During Wang Lang's spare time he caught plenty of Praying Mantises, in order to observe every fighting technique. The Praying Mantis Style was then being generated, by incorporating the foundation of Martial Arts which Wang Lang had already possessed.

After being developed, it spread rapidly with a variety of different branches of the Praying Mantis Style. Although many theories exist of how each Praying Mantis Style received its name, it has been interpreted that 7 Star Praying Mantis Style is named for the Big Dipper. The inside meaning is that disciples of this style of martial arts spread all over the world, as the Big Dipper is the one constellation that can be seen from anywhere in the world.