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The art of making animals from palm fronds has been passed down from generation to generation in China. In modern China is has become something of an artistic anachronism: not many know the craft. It takes many years and much patience to become proficient. Before the weaving starts, the palm maker must collect the palm fronds from the short bush-like palm trees growing in the area. Each animal will take much time to create. Even an insect will take close to an hour, with bigger animals taking an entire half day. In the past (and up to this day) the

Read more... | Published: 03/16/09

The Praying Mantis, holding its powerful front legs folded and ready to strike, has intrigued humans throughout time. Farmers and gardeners revere them for consuming mosquitoes and other pests. With an eerily alien visage and a stealthy hunting ability, the praying mantis symbolizes creativity, awareness and patience. It is used as a spiritual totem for meditation and contemplation. Yet it is also a brilliant combatant.

Kung Fu masters during the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644) adopted some of the whip-like attack techniques of the Praying Mantis. The “praying mantis hook” uses both hands out front with one, two or three

Read more... | Published: 12/03/08