The Chinese acrobatics has a long history and rich national flavor. It is one of the art forms most popular among the Chinese people. In a broad sense, acrobatics is the collective name of various kinds of feats. In the primitive society, acrobatics was closely related with music and dance, and became dominant of cultures at that time.
The History of Acrobatics
1. Han Dynasty
| | Chinese people made outstanding contributions to world civilization during the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD). Emperor Wudi, the fifth ruler of the Han Dynasty, was a talented man with an affinity for variety shows. According to Records of the History by Sima Qian, Emperor Wudi invited a number of foreigners to a sumptuous banquet in 108BC in order to extol the virtues of his empire's vast territory and abundant resource. The guests were presented beautiful gifts and entertained with variety shows featuring music and dance, acrobatics, wrestling... 【View More】 |
2. Tang Dynasty
| | The 300-year period in Chinese history from the Wei and Jin Dynasty(220-420) to the Southern and Northern Dynasty(386-581), witnessed great social turmoil and an intensive cultural amalgamation amongst various ethnic groups. The Sui Dynasty (581-618) unified China in 589, and Chinese acrobatics reached maturity, becoming a popular performing art with both the rulers and common people during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Acrobats often performed with court singers and dancers in the royal palace.【View More】 |
3. Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties
| | The Song Dynasty (960-1279) witnessed a thriving urban economy and the appearance of an influential social stratum consisting of townspeople. Large-scale variety shows like those organized by courts during the Han and Tang periods were rarely seen in the Song Dynasty instead, Waziyuepeng(amusement centers) where acrobats, dancers, martial arts practitioners and balled singers performed together could be found in flourishing cities like Bianliang (today's Kaifeng, Henan Province), the capital of...【View More】 |
Characteristics of Chinese Acrobatics
1.Chinese acrobatics has long stressed the basic training of the waist and legs
2.Chinese acrobatics is characterized by feats of strength and daring performed cleverly, precisely and accurately
3.The traditional form of conjuring known as "ancient splendor"
4.Chinese acrobats can juggle, both light and heavy objects with dexterity, particularly with their feet.
5.Chinese acrobatics features the combination of great physical strength and quick and nimble somersaults.
6.Chinese acrobatics, an art form closely related to people's production and daily-life activities, uses labor tools and objects as props
7.Chinese acrobatics employs a number of beautiful traditional handicrafts as stage props
8.Chinese acrobatics is noted for its flexibility in terms of the size of performance venues and the number of performers.
Home of Chinese Acrobatics – Wu Qiao
| | Chinese acrobatics has a very long history and is an excellent and precious cultural legacy of the Chinese nation. There are a lot of acrobatics village in China, e.g. Liaocheng of Shandong Province, Yancheng of Jiangsu Province, Puyang of Henan Province, Tianmen of Hubei Province, Guangde of Anhui Province, Wuqing of Tianjin City, Wuqiao, Suning and Bazhou of Hebei Province. However, as to the history, the influence among people, and the influence in both domestic and abroad, Wuqiao is the most famous one. Wuqiao County is internationally recognized as the birthplace of Chinese acrobatics. Its fame is drawing an increasing number of tourists every year. For it is in Wuqiao that visitors can witness the superb display... 【View More】 |
Written by Dora Men
