The China is one of the oldest civilizations of the world. It is said that Sports in China as old as the civilization itself and different forms of Sporting Activities existed in China. Physical activity in China is as old as 10,000 years old and includes limbering, lifting metal tripods and shooting arrows (i.e. also known as Shejjan). The Zhou Dynasty was well known for encouraging physical activity and Ancient China Sports. The Ancient Chinese and Greek civilizations shared common sporting activities, that is, they were often combined with dancing.
The Growth of Ancient China Sports
The growth of Ancient China Sports in China took place along with the military, political and economic growth in China. Swordsmanship and Touhu (throwing arrows into wine pitchers) of the spring and autumn and the Warring States periods (770-221 BC), cuju (football) and Baixi (acrobatics) of the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), Jiju (polo) of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and Bingxi (games on ice) were extremely famous, along with hunting.
Animal Play as a physical activity became very prominent during the Hans Dynasty and Daoyin, which means physical exercise along with breathing, was practiced. The auto-massage was an effective exercise. Archery, Arrow-shooting was also one of the favorite sports of the people in China.
Wrestling and martial arts are also known as Wushu were introduced in China and till date is prominent. Coloured pottery, bronzeware, bronze mirrors, chinaware, murals, brick paintings, Yungang Grottoes, Dunhuang murals, dancing, physical activity and paintings of the Tang, Song, Yuan, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties were ancient sports relics.
The Ancient China Sports were very diversified and had a unique value in terms of health, military uses, activity, different uses etc and also had its own value for being a part and parcel of The Ancient Chinese Civilization.