Traditional Chinese Games - Part 1
Traditional Chinese Games (Zhōngguó chuántǒng yóuxì) 中国传统游戏
Xiao heng Gao (Michelle)
Qingmei Zhou (Mei)
Traditional games are derived from a combination of factors of survival, values, beliefs, attitudes, and the natural environment. The ability to acquire and maintain the development of traditional games into societies are also thought to be contingent on the beliefs and attitudes of communities. Recently, China has proposed to protect their heritage of their traditional games. This in turn, has garnered much attention to scholars for research. Theories pertaining to questions around humans and the natural environment include the human-land relationship theory and survival values as survival depends on the relationship between humans and nature. Ensuring adaptability among humans to changing environments ensures survival of a people, cultures, and beliefs to be passed through the generations; hence reviving traditional games would support revival of a culture [1].
Pitch Pot (Touhu) 投壶
Pitch Pot was created in the Spring and Autumn of 770-476 B.C.as an alternative to archery and is considered one of the ‘six essential’ arts for Confucian gentlemen (junzi) to master. It was often played during diplomatic banquets as a polite arrow-shoot match and demonstrating skill sets of gentlemen with the winner having shot the most arrows into the pot. The popularity of the game rose to be included into the rituals of diplomacy. By 221-206 B.C., the game of Pitch Pot was played by scholar officials at drinking parties and eventually recreation for all people [2].
“Traditionally players would be holding an arrow and throwing for target practice, catching a small animal for food, or practicing for war” [3].
Pots that look like lanterns were placed spaciously on the floor. Players received 5 sticks each for throwing into a pot. The pots farthest from the throwing line are worth the most points and the pots nearest are worth less. Players form a line and return to the back of the line after they have made their attempt to spear the stick into one of the pots [4].
“These pots resemble the Chinese red lanterns found for Chinese New Year celebrations” [4].
Rhythmic hand-eye coordination requires well developed proprioception of coordinating information of where the hand is with respect to the eye during activities such as throwing in Pitch Pot. It is also a temporal (timing) and spatial (in space) action in that the eye needs to track the actions of the hand that will execute the throw while staying fixated on the target [5]. Continuation of practicing fundamental motor skills has been found to enhance motor coordination skills in later childhood and beneficially affect cognition in adolescent youth [6].
The Eagle Catching Chicks (Lǎoyīng zhuō xiǎo jī) 老鹰捉小鸡
Traditionally, the game “Eagle Catches Chicks was a children’s game that improves physical fitness and fosters teamwork and strategic thinking” [7].
The chicks learn agility with their entire body strength while avoiding the eagle, or the eagle learns agility for its attack. Teamwork is required to devise a scheme of avoiding a capture by the eagle. Similarly, the eagles collaborate on how to capture as many chicks as possible. This game also sparks creativity in children depending on their environment and preferences for the game [7].
Children were divided into two groups; one group, the chicks, the other the eagles. “At the beginning of the game, all of the chicks stand together as the eagles stand by [7].
“Here we have our chicks in a line together, while the eagle tries to capture the last chick in line. The other chicks waver against the eagle to protect the last chick” [3].
As Eagle players sprint and stop during the tagging process, they are required to organize, plan, and coordinate their thoughts and actions for a successful attack. Actions of sprinting coincides with enhancements of executive functions of inhibition and information processing in youth. These functions are also related to emotional regulation and enhanced cognitive ability [7]. Chicks on the other hand, are required to coordinate their movements and attention according to the Eagles’ movements and intentions requiring great agility. Attention and vigilance while monitoring and updating player’s moves are necessary to keep the chicks safe.
Asian Shuttlecock Game (jiàn zi) 踢毽子
Although the game of shuttlecock has been practiced since the Han dynasty (206 BCE- 220 AD), its popularity led to competitions in 1956 and to the established China Shuttlecock Kicking Association in 1987. Shuttlecock Kicking continues to be an annual event in China [8,9].
Rules are to keep the shuttle airborne without the use of hands [3,4].
After many years of playing Shuttlecock, players have adapted many maneuvers to keeping shuttlecock in the air, such as kicking overhead. Seniors also benefit from playing to keep their limbs active and flexible [9,10].
Playing a game like Asian shuttlecock, enhances motor coordination skills to keep the feathers airborne, but also develops skills of timing with motor control, attention to the feather, and regulation of motor control that are necessary to promote smooth transitions among each bounce of the feather. These games develop time estimation and skill automation with practice that lend to stronger executive functions [11].
Tug of War (Báhé) 拔河
Tug of War is a game of strength that uses a long rope with two teams: one at each end attempting to pull the rope into their side of the court [12]. It is thought that during the Tang Dynasty, the military commander of the state of Chu would train warriors using Tug of War, or “Hook Pulling” for a strengthening exercise. The Chinese Emperor Xuanzong promoted Tug of War on a large scale having up to 500 people on each team. Each team would have their own drummers for encouragement and to boost morale [12].
Tug of War has been characterized to have three phases; the drop, hold, and drive phases, all of which rely on synchronization of rightward and backward movements.
The drop phase occurs when players rapidly and forcefully pull the rope. The hold phase occurs when players hold their opponents rapid and forceful pull, and the drive phase occurs when players are exerting a pull while walking backwards [13].
Two teams were coordinated to line up along a long rope. At the center were marked lines on the floor to indicate boundaries for each team. A pendant was attached to the center of the rope and would indicate which team pulled the farthest as measured with the marked areas on the floor.
Various health benefits of playing Tug of War includes cardiovascular fitness, strength, balance, and stress relief [14]. The rhythmic phases involved in Tug of War games require continual monitoring and updating of events while coordinating actions among team members. Sustained attention, vigilance and inhibition of distractions are necessary for a good game.
Thank You! 中国传统文化
The snake symbolizes wisdom and transformation that offers opportunities for personal growth change for the year 2025.
(Lunar New Year 2025: A Guide to the Year of the Snake)
Building Brains Together would like to graciously thank Xiao heng Gao (Michelle) and Qingmei Zhou (Mei) for organizing and demonstrating a wonderful day of traditional Chinese Games. Their assistance with Chinese New Year 2025 is greatly appreciated. It was also wonderful to meet some members of our local Chinese community while playing games as it was a fun event for all.
References
1. Zuo, Y., Qui, Q., Hu, T., & Zhang, J. (2023). How natural environments influence traditional sports and games: A mixed methods study from China. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 58(2): 328–348. sagepub.com/journals-permissions DOI: 10.1177/10126902221096233.
2. Retrieved online January 2025 from: 4 of Ancient China's Olympic Worthy Sports | The World of Chinese.
3. Zhou, Q. (2025). In discussion.
4. Heng Gao, X. 2025). In discussion.
5. Bekkering H. & Sailer, U. (2002). Commentary: Coordination of eye and hand in time and space. Progress in Brain Research, 140: 365-373.
6. Donath, L., Faude, O., Hagmann, S., Roth, R. & Zahner, L. (2015). Fundamental movement skills in preschoolers: a randomized controlled trial targeting object control proficiency. doi:10.1111/cch.12232.
7. Retrieved online January 2025 from: Chinese children's game: Eagle catching chicks-lǎo yīnɡ zhuō xiǎo jī.
8. Hatch, L.M., Dring, K.J., Williams, R.A., Sunderland, C., Nevill, M.E., & Cooper, S. B. (2021). Effects of differing durations of high-intensity intermittent activity on cognitive function in adolescents. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18: 11594. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111594.
9. Retrieved online January 2025 from: Han dynasty | Definition, Map, Time Period, Achievements, & Facts | Britannica.
10. Retrieved online January 2025 from: Top 11 Traditional Chinese Games and Outdoor Activities to Play.
11. Rigoli, D., Piek, J. P., Kane, R., & Oosterlaan, J. (2012). Motor coordination, working memory, and academic achievement in a normative adolescent sample: Testing a mediation model. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 27: 766–780.
12. Retrieved online January 2025 from: 16 Chinese Folk Games that are Still Popular Today - Pepchina.
13. Babarro, A., & Martínez de Aldama, I. (2022). Analysis of tug of war competition: A narrative complete review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health,19 (3): https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19010003.
14. Retrieved online February 2025 from: Health Benefits of Tug of War - DoveMed.