Acrobatics Has Played a Prominent Role in Chinese Culture for Millenia
As shown in their artifacts, for over 2500 years, the people of China have been honing their acrobatic skills. Now, virtually every person in China has mastered at least one acrobatic fete.
"... Acrobatics is a pearl in the treasure house of the traditional Chinese performing arts. Chinese acrobatics has a long and rich heritage. The acrobatic art has been existent in China for more than two thousand years. As early as the Warring States Period (475-221 BC), the rudiments of acrobatics existed. By the time of the Han Dynasty (221 BC-220 AD), the acrobatic art or "Hundred Plays" further developed both in content and variety.... The ancient acrobatics stemmed from the people's life and had a close link with their life and productive labor. Instruments of labor like tridents, wicker rings, tables, chairs, jars, plates, and bowls were used in their performances of "Flying Trident", "Balance on Chairs", "Jar Tricks", and "Hoop Diving". Wushu and Lion Dance originated from folk sports and games...." CLICK HERE for the rest of the story.
Early Chinese Pottery Celebrates Chinese Acrobats. Terra Cotta Western Han Period (206 BC – 9 AD) Cernuschi Museum, Paris. Photo prise par Guillaume Jacquet le 12 août 2006.
According to Wikipedia's article on Chinese Variety Art "... In the Eastern Han Dynasty scholar Zhang Heng was one of the first to describe the acrobatic theme shows in the royal palaces in his writing "Ode to the Western Capital". The event featured shows such as "Old Man Huang of the Eastern Sea", the "Dancing Fishing Dragon" and "Assembly of Immortals". A grand acrobatic show was held by Emperor Wu of Han in 108 BC for foreign guests...."
The acrobatics became refined during the Han Dynasty (221 BC-220 AD) by which time juggling, fire eating, knife swallowing and tight rope walking were regular features.
According to the Beijing Acrobatic Show site "... Chinese acrobatics is said to have started during the Warring States Period (475-221 BC) two thousand years old, though some claim it is four thousand years old on the basis of the mythical Yellow Emperor, Huangdi, having started a martial form of acrobatics at a victory celebration in Wuqiao some 300 km south of Beijing. It is interesting to know that almost every adult in Wuqiao today knows some acrobatic trick. Since 1987, Wuqiao has held the Wuqiao International Acrobatics Festival which is an event for the international acrobatic fraternity. The acrobatics became refined during the Han Dynasty (221 BC-220 AD) by which time juggling, fire eating, knife swallowing and tight rope walking were regular features. The Han Dynasty scholar and scientist, Zhang Heng (AD 78-139), has been much quoted by Chinese acrobatic enthusiasts as having mentioned in his "Ode to the Western Capital and to the Eastern Capital" the various forms of acrobatics then...." CLICK HERE for the rest of the story.
Peasants would spin bowls on their feet and balance on a tower of chairs.
Today's performers, who jump through sparkly hoops in a whole host of breathtaking ways, are following in their ancestors' footsteps. Village farmers would take grain dividers (a large wooden hoop with mesh across the bottom to sift grain from leaves) remove the mesh, and use them in performance. Peasants would spin bowls on their feet and balance on a tower of chairs. Potters developed spinning, a natural act in pottery, and added juggling to impress the crowds. When the annual harvest was celebrated, the new acrobats would show off their skills. These acts still exist in modern acrobatics (with a twist, of course)...." CLICK HERE for the rest of the story.
Chinese State Circus and
Chinese Acrobatics Videos Here are just SOME of the many wonderful videos you can find on the Internet which will give you an idea of the amazing acrobatic feats these talented acrobats perform.
Early Chinese Pottery Celebrates Chinese Acrobats. Terra Cotta Western Han Period (206 BC – 9 AD) Cernuschi Museum, Paris. Photo prise par Guillaume Jacquet le 12 août 2006.
