Bamboo Forest Praying Mantis more commonly known as Southern Praying Mantis was developed as a kung fu style by the Hakka Chinese. Its origins, however, are still unclear. The two main schools of the system are the Chu and Chow. Southern Praying Mantis, unlike Northern Mantis, has no prefernce to any single move over another although Dim Mak (death-touch techniques) and healing arts are implememted.

Bamboo Forest Praying Mantis shares many similarities with Pak Mei and Wing Chun.