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 Chinese
Acrobatics |
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Chinese
Acrobatics
Chinese acrobatics was already an independent and highly skilled art
some 2,000 years ago. As early as the Warring States Period (475-221
BC), there appeared rudiments of acrobatics. By the time of the Han
Dynasty (221 BC-220 AD), the acrobatic art or "Hundred Plays"
further developed both in contents and varieties. According to the
poem entitled "To the Western Capital" written by Zheng
Heng, a Han Dynasty scholar, and stone-engravings unearthed at Yinan
County of Shandong Province in 1954, there were superb performances
with music accompaniment on the acrobatic stage of two thousand years
ago, such as "Pole Climbing", "Rope-Walking (the present
day Tight-Wire Feats)", "Fish Turned into Dragon (the present
day Conjuring)", "Five Tables (like the present Balance
on Chairs)". In the Tang Dynasty, the most thriving period in
the history of Chinese ancient culture, the number of acrobats greatly
increased and their performing skills much improved.
In the long course of development, the Chinese acrobatic art has formed
its own style. The ancient acrobatics stemmed from the people's life
and had a close link with their life and productive labour. Instruments
of labour like tridents, wicker rings and articles of daily use such
as tables, chairs, jars, plates and bowls were used in their performances
of "Flying Trident", "Balance on Chairs", "Jar
Tricks", "Hoop Diving" and "Traditional Style
Conjuring", and others. Wushu, Diabolo Skill, and Lion Dance,
originated from folk sports and games.
With skillful techniques and stunts and various items, today, Chinese
acrobatics has own acclaim and praise from audience both at home and
abroad. At the sixth World Acrobatics Festival of Tomorrow held in
Paris in January 1983, Chinese acrobatics won three gold medals. Many
more have been won in recent years. In the future, it will surely
continue to shine like a bright pearl.
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