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This question asks about a seven star mantis stance. In the Chen Man Ching Tai Chi form I practice we incorporate a move known as "step up to seven stars". Clearly there is some concept referenced by both. Unfortunately a Google search provides a plethora of noise and very little signal.

What is "seven star"?

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I was told it's a reference to the 7 stars of Ursa major - aka the plough. The body is the plough blade and the arms are the plough handle. Shrug. Word of mouth. Usually Wu Ying-Hua's book is good on names but nothing on this one. – Wudang Nov 23 '12 at 13:19
Thanks - this should have been an answer, rather than a comment. I'll look for Wu Ying-Hua's book. – Mark C. Wallace Nov 24 '12 at 1:31
It was an answer but someone changed it to a comment. – Wudang Nov 24 '12 at 9:48

1 Answer

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Chris Chi asserts that

seven stars refers to seven points of the body – head, shoulder, elbow, hand, hip, knee, foot – each can be used to deflect or strike.

Alas, Chris Chi doesn't provide a graphic, and the seven star stance in my tai chi form is quite unlike the seven star mantis stance shown if I google for seven star stance. (Attempts to include links failed badly).

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