The traditional Chinese bow is a type of reflexed composite bow, made with a bamboo core, horn belly, sinew backing (usually covered with birchbark), and wooden tips and handle. The demise of the great legacy of Chinese archery was exacerbated by mid-century political and social upheavals, and traditional archery craftmanship and customs have practically died out. With the transition to modern firearms in the early 20th century, archery no longer played a role in everyday life in China. Cavalry and infantry archery were integrated into the Chinese military-service examination system during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.), and the use of the bow and arrow remained significant until the end of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Later, Confucian scholars developed archery ceremonies designed to symbolize Confucian virtue.
In early dynastic China, archery held an important place in warfare and imperial ritual and was a compulsory subject in schools that trained the Chinese nobility. What is common for all these schools is that they all though that mental focus and concentration are very important for the skill and art of archery.
#ACTIVATE ELIXIR OF IMMORTALITY BEFORE DRAW STEP MANUALS#
The Han dynasty (206 BC - 220) had at least 7 archery manuals the Ming dynasty (1368 - 1644) had at least 14 different schools of archery while in the time of Qing dynasty over 14 different schools of archery published their manuals. Annual Chinese Traditional Archery Seminar was established in 2009 whose goal is to create a new living tradition for Chinese archery.Īs we have seen, technique of archery changed throughout Chinese history. He was the only manufacturer of bows until recently. Modern revival began in 1998 when Ju Yuan Hao began bow making. There was a short-lived effort to revive traditional archery practice between 19 but the Cultural Revolution forced workshops to cease manufacturing of bows. Qing Emperor Guang Xu abolished archery from the military exam in 1901. Bow and arrow survived until the end of the Qing dynasty (1644 - 1911) when more reliable firearms were available. One theory is that pellet bow was precursor to the bow and arrow, and the pellet shooting was used in hunt along with bow and arrow for many centuries.Īs in other places, use of bow and arrow started to decline with the appearance of firearms. For hunting with a pellet bow, Chinese used a light bow designed to shoot a stone pellet instead of an arrow. Ancient Chinese artwork also represents hunting using mounted archery. These rituals were accompanied by ceremonial music and wine.įor hunting, Chinese used standard bow and arrow as well as pellet bow and a bow with a tethered arrow. These rituals consisted of pairs of archers shooting at a target in a pavilion, with high concern for proper form and conduct. During the Zhou dynasty, between 1146 and 256 BC, aristocracy held archery rituals whose role was to symbolize and reinforce order within their hierarchy. Later, in 14th century, crossbows were made with a simple design because kill of constructing bronze trigger mechanisms was lost during the Mongolian Yuan dynasty in 13th century.īow and arrows also had ritual value for Chinese. Chinese crossbows had bronze trigger mechanisms as early as 600BC which could withstand very high draw weights. Bow and arrows were used for training and during naval battles. Chinese infantry on land used crossbows because they were easier to use and to train to soldiers. Reforms of King Wuling of Zhao in 307 BC introduced mounted archery - archers on horses which proved as more affective. Before the Warring States period (between 475 and 221 BC) chariots would carry one driver, one halberdier, and one archer which was the standard place for an archer at the time. In war, Chinese used bow and arrow as a weapon from chariots at first and later from the horse. Archery was for everybody and many philosophers, like Confucius and Lie Zi, were good archers. Skill in archery was considered as a virtue for Chinese emperors and was one of the Six Noble Arts of the Zhou dynasty. Bow and arrow were used for hunting, sport, rituals, examinations, and as a weapon of warfare since 20,000 years ago. During Chinese history, archery was an important aspect of life.