Theory of Qixing Tanglang consists of the twelve characters (keywords), the seven long forms, eight short forms, eight hard techniques and twelve flexible techniques.

The principle of the twelve characters (shi er zi jue lue shu)
1. GOU (hook) - pulling hand hook
2. LOU (grasp, gather, grab) - checking by the grabbing movement of the whole hand
3. CAI (pluck, pick) - plucking, pulling or reefing motion
4. GUA (crash, hang) - defense with a raised arm
5. NIAN (to be sticky, to stick) - reaching and keeping in contact
6. ZHAN (touch, stick) - sticking to the surface and following as if glued to it
7. TIE (press, attach) - joining as would be stuck (by the rules and zhan nian), and then sticking to the contact surface by pressing
8. KAO (leaning against, pressing) - penetration or deflecting by pressing or approaching, then passing the explosive power
9. BENG (chop) - explosive impact, literally beng chui blow
10. PI (chop, cut) - striking from the top down (with hand or fist)
11. TIAO (raise, lift) - moving upwards as part of a block or strike
12. CHONG (smash, thrust) - thrusting strike, linear attack.

The twelve characters represent the many rules and their meaning is not limited to the literal translation. Principles of the twelve keywords have much wider significance than it is denoted in their descriptions.

Seven long forms (qi chong)
1. SHUN BU QING SHOU (straight strike)
2. YAO BU RU SHOU (descent to the side and impact)
3. CHAN FENG SHUANG ZHANG (wrapping the hand and striking)
4. YANG MIAN TONG CHUI (simple slap in the face)
5. JIAO SHOU KAN ZHANG (interception and cutting strike with a palm to the head or hand)
6. FAN SHEN JI RU (rotating hand strike)
7. HAN TONG TONG BEI (dodging, deviating and counterattacking)

Eight short forms (ba duan)
1. YING MIAN TOU CHUI (simple headbutt into the face)
2. KAO SHEN BO CHUI (adherence, arm strike, push)
3. DUN SHEN TUN CHUI (hip strike)
4. NIAN NA XIONG CHUI (shoulder strike)
5. - 8. SHUANG XI LIANG ZHOU SI CHUI (two knee strikes, two elbows punches)

Eight hard methods (ba gang)
1. TAI SHAN YA DING (a powerful strike from the top down)
2. YING MIAN ZHI TONG (straight punches)
3. SHUN BU SHUANG ZHANG (pushing away with both hands)
4. DIE ZHOU YING GONG (elbow strike)
5. TIE MEN KAO BI (glue, counter force with another, throw)
6. YING BENG FU DI (strong attack up, down)
7. ZUO YOU SHUANG GUN (strong double block)
8. SHUAI LU LIANG FEN (throw, interception)

Twelve flexible methods (shi er rou)
1. RU SHOU ER TOU SHOU
2. JIAN GANG ER HUI SHOU
3. JIE SHOU ER GUN SHOU
4. GUN SHOU ER LOU SHOU
5. ZHI TONG ER GOU SHOU
6. LOU SHOU ER JIN SHOU
7. CAI SHOU ER RU SHOU
8. TIAO SHOU ER RU SHOU
9. NIAN SHOU ER PO SHOU
10. KE SHOU ER RU SHOU
11. KAI SHOU ER DIE SHOU
12. PO SHOU ER RU SHOU