Every time seeing the photos of Tug of War scene, excited mood will hit me and recalled the efforts and rewards of upperclassman and school sisters.
Tug of War is an ancient sport of China. "Hook pulling", was used by the military commander of the State of Chu during the spring and autumn period to train warriors. During the Tang dynasty, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang promoted large-scale Tug of War games, using ropes of up to 167 metres (548 ft.) with shorter ropes attached, and more than 500 people on each end of the rope. Each side also had its own team of drummers to encourage the participants. The competition rule is to set a flag as a boundary in the center of rope. The team who pulled out of the boundary wins the game. The version of Tug of War is as the same with modern version of Tug of War.
Tug of War is a teamworking competitive game, which originated form the late spring and autumn period. The Chu State bestrides south and north of Yangtze River with numerous watercourses spreading freely. Besides its land army, it also trained a mighty navy and invented a weapon called "Gou Ju" (literally hook and reject) specially designed for water battle. When an enemy force was about to retreat, the soldiers would use the weapon to hook the enemy boats and pull back with all strength to prevent escape. Later, "Gou Ju" spread from the army to the folk people and gradually evolved to the tug-of-war contest.
“Hook pulling” was popular in the areas of Chu State, and the weapon was replaced by rope made of thin bamboo. The length of the rope was determined by the numbers of participants. During the time of competition, each side also had its own team of drummers to encourage their participants. In Tang dynasty, the game was promoted and became a national competitive sport because of Emperor Zhongzong and Xuanzong of Tang’s advocation. And hemp rope up to 167 metres (548 ft.) with shorter ropes attached took place of the rope made of thin bamboo. The competition rule is to set a flag as a boundary in the center of rope. The team who pulled out of the boundary wins the game. The version of Tug of War is as the same with modern version of Tug of War.
Someone thinks that name of Tug of War is the traceability of traditional training war on water. There are two explains: the mark of victory was is the boundary flag which was called River, if one team pulled out of the boundary which means they pulled out of the River; the center of rope called River, and winners pulled out of the River. Actually it is a visual description of competition rules.
The development clue from hook pulling to Tug of War was clear, but it is controversial when the game was named as Tug of War.
Some people pointed that the name has appeared in the Northern dynasties for a painting named Ghost Tug of War while generally most people are in favor that the denomination appeared in Tang dynasty and numerous historical books can be the evidences, so But I support the first idea for the culture and system of cultural decrees and regulations of Tang dynasty was edified by that of Sui dynasty.
In Tang Dynasty, the game was promoted and became a national competitive sport because of Emperor Zhongzong and Xuanzong of Tang’s advocation. And hemp rope with forty or fifty Zhang (about 130-170 meters) long took place of the rope made of thin bamboo. The competition rule is to set a flag as a boundary in the center of rope. The team who pulled out of the boundary won the game. The version of Tug of War is as the same with modern version of Tug of War. As a teamworking sport, the spectacular scene was loved by Tang’s people very much.
Tug of War was often held in spring in order to pray for rain and have good harvests. The Tug of War means to tug the Milky Way to irrigated crops in man’s world. Therefore, the game was received by ordinary folks and became a popular event.
In the reign period of Empress Wu Zetian of Tang, Minister, Zhangshuo wrote an article to depict the spectacular scene of Tug of War.
Tug of War was more prevalent in reign period of Emperor Zhongzong of Tang. Zhongzong onced ordered civil and military officials to compete the game, and he and his wives and daughters enjoyed it very much.
Tang dynasty is a relative open era and women also often attended Tug of War competition. According to the record of History of a Mirror, Emperor Xuanzhong with his courtiers watch women Tug of War in Xuwu Gate. We can think of the strong image of handsomeness and activeness of women in the school’s sports meeting.
In Tang dynasty Kaiyuan Period, there was a Tug of War period and Emperor Xuanzong also wrote a poem to express his support. And from the content, we can know the aim of the Tug of War was not only an entertainment but also to build armies physical strength and their will.
We may felt the social and cultural features of Tang dynasty from the Tug of War competition. Maybe only large-scale sport can fit with the prosperous era. And Mr. Luxun also expressed that Tang dynasty was a spectacular era that the people owned open mind and strong confidence even though it also has the threat of foreign invasion.
I think that my schoolmates who are the players or spectators of Tug of War also showed the spirits. Women can not only be gentle but also have strong wills and activeness; Men can also be versed in both polite letters and martial arts. The rope symbolized the belief of self-esteem, self-confidence, self-reliance and self-improvement which will also be delivered to offsprings. I hope my brother-sister-school students who joined Tug of War team can inherit and pass on the spirits. Tug of War prevailed in Tang dynasty and spread from Army to folks and also entered into the palace of Tang dynasty, being an entertainment game and be loved by different classes.