Chinese Wushu
Wushu, or Martial Art, is an important component of the cultural heritage of China, with a rich content over the centuries. Literally, "Wu" means military, and "Shu" means art. Wushu therefore means the art of fighting, or martial arts. Martial training includes Ti (kicking), Da (punching), Shuai (throwing), Na (controlling), Ji (hitting), Ci (thrusting), etc. Related to each style are basic forms, or sequences, which may involve defense strategies, offense, retreat, mobility and immobility, speed and slowness, hard or soft postures, emptiness and fullness, with or without weapons. Wushu was born and has steadily grown and attained perfection as an integral part of Chinese culture.
Tai Ji Quan
Tai Ji Quan is a major division of Chinese martial art. Tai Ji Quan means "supreme ultimate fist". Tai means "Supreme", Ji means "Ultimate", and Quan means "Fist". There have been different sayings about the origin of Tai Ji Quan. The traditional legend goes that the wise man Zhang Sanfeng of the Song Dynasty (960-1279) created Tai Ji Quan after he had witnessed a fight between a sparrow and a snake; while most people agreed that the modern Tai Ji Quan originated from Chen style Tai Ji Quan, which first appeared during the 19th century in the Daoguang Reign of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
Dragon Boat Race
The Dragon Boat Race is a traditional sport activity with long history. There are a lot of legends about the origin of this race, the most popular of which is the story of Qu Yuan during the Warring States Period (475-221BC), who was a great patriotic poet and protested against the corrupted regime by jumping into the Mi Luo River. According to legend, local fishermen, upon seeing their beloved poet's act of courage, raced out with their boats in an attempt to save him. To their dismay, they arrived too late. To prevent his body from being eaten by the fish, they beat the waters furiously with their paddles and threw rice dumplings wrapped in silk into the river to distract the fish. Today, rice dumplings made of steamed glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo or lotus leaves and tied with twine, are eaten on the day of the Dragon Boat Festival.
Chinese Wrestling
Chinese wrestling, or Shuai Jiao, is one of the oldest sports, tracing back to Huang Di (Emperor Huang). It was also named Sumo in ancient times. It is believed that Chinese wrestling was first practiced on the battlefield more than 5,000 years ago. During the Zhou Dynasty (11th century to 221BC), Chinese wrestling was adopted as a fighting art by the government. From the time of the Qin dynasty (221-206BC), Chinese wrestling was more like a recreation than simply for military purposes. During the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties (1271-1911), Chinese wrestling absorbed some techniques of Manchu and Mongolian fighting, and gradually the embryonic form of today's wrestling came into being.
Ancient Chinese Football
Football has found its way to the most remote corners of the globe, becoming one of the hottest topics of the day. About 2,500 years ago in China there was a similar game called "Cuju", which, according to the International Football Association, was the origin of football as a sport. "Cu" ("to kick") and "ju" (a type of leather ball filled with feathers) became popular during the Warring States Period (476-221BC). Back then, cuju was used to train military cavaliers due to the fierce nature of the sport. |
