Chinese traditional games are very diverse and suitable for all ages. Many games originated in ancient times and became widespread throughout China for many centuries. Most ancient Chinese games are considered the ancestors of modern sports. These were very simple games according to the rules, so they did not require a long explanation, which made starting the game much easier. The most important thing is that no special equipment was required; the games used only what could be found on the street or did not require special skill in manufacturing. Therefore, children from the poorest families could also participate in the games. This also applies to more modern games that gained popularity during Mao's reign. Then there were no toys either, everything was made by hand. But from the games you can trace the friendship between the Russian and Chinese people; they have a lot in common and it’s difficult to say where the borrowings came from. All games of ancient and modern China, except verbal ones, developed physical health, endurance and reaction.

Consider games common in Ancient and Medieval China

- “Spin the top” (spinning top).

The ancient game of spinning top appeared during the Song Dynasty (960-1279), only at that time it was called “Thousands”. No special rules or preparations are required for the game. It's very simple, the children needed to find a needle-shaped object about three centimeters in size. Stick it in the middle of a small plate, such as wood or ivory. The result is something vaguely similar to a modern top. Then you need to spin the toy. The essence of the game is also very simple: whose spinning top spins the longest wins. As a rule, each player made his own spinning top. The more modern name for the game “spinning top” appeared much later, during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Already during this dynasty, the toy could be purchased in city markets. The toy was wooden and slightly modified with a long string. According to the rules, you had to throw the top and pull the string to make it start spinning. As soon as the toy began to slow down, you could pull the string again. So, spinning the top, you could play endlessly. The game was very popular throughout China. Until the founding of the Republic of China, children were fond of this game.

Much later, a more modern version of the game was somewhat different. The children chose a small stick 8-10 cm long. They tied a rope to it and “whipped” the top, spinning it. They often played in pairs.

- Game of swallow.

There is another name: “Game of Chicken”. The origin of the game dates back to the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD). But the game gained popularity during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). There is a legend about this game in one of the books of that time. One wandering monk arrived in the city of Luoyang (an urban district in Henan Province). While walking through the streets of the city, he noticed a 12-year-old boy. He tossed the shuttlecock with one foot 500 times on each leg. And he never dropped the shuttlecock to the ground. The boy made money with this attraction, entertaining spectators on the streets of the city. The monk was amazed at the boy's abilities. The wanderer turned out to be a monk from the Shaolin Monastery and invited the boy to study. Since then, the game has gained unprecedented popularity. It was believed that thanks to the skill of the legs one could become a disciple of Shaolin. Over time, several varieties of the game appeared: one-on-one, pair-on-pair, four-on-four, etc. The goal of the game remained unchanged: not to drop the shuttlecock for the longest time. The game of swallow reached its peak during the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911). It can be said that swallow was played in all corners of China. The game has no age restrictions; the whole family can play it. Another distinctive feature is its mobility. The Chinese have always paid special attention to their health. And playing swallow is very useful for maintaining physical fitness. This is why the game is still so popular in parks in every part of China, although now this game is popular among the elderly population. At that time, absolutely everyone played it, and teenagers especially loved it. The game was so popular that many songs, poems and even paintings have been preserved about it. This is truly the most family-friendly and popular game in China.

– Playing kunju or diabolo juggling (using a rope).

Simply put, this is a Chinese yo-yo. The appearance of the game is associated with the period of the Three Kingdoms (220 - 280). It was then that the first mentions were found in the poems of the poet Cao Zhi about the wonderful game of yo-yo. Since the Ming Dynasty ( 1368-1644) there is also a children's song about a yo-yo. All this only proves once again what a long history this game has. It was during the Ming Dynasty that the first general rules of the game and materials for production were developed. The toy was made of bamboo or wood. A yo-yo is shaped like a reel. It is hollow, and there are small holes made in the circles on the sides. The holes can be from 4 to 6. Wooden blocks are placed there to make a sound during torsion. Then, the player pulls the rope on two sticks. He lifts the yo-yo over his head and throws it up. The goal of the game is to spin faster and longer than other opponents. The sound made by the yo-yo played an important role. Mostly children of all ages took part in the game. The game greatly contributed to the physical development of children and reaction speed.

Already during the Jin Dynasty (265-419) they became a favorite pastime at court. And during the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, swings gained unprecedented popularity. In every palace during the Tang Dynasty, swings were installed and were considered the “Game of Demigoddesses.” The court girls spent a lot of time on the swings, playing word games. In the Song era, acrobatics was born thanks to swings. This is no longer just entertainment for girls at court. And a way to support men’s physical health, develop endurance and flexibility. In summer and autumn, demonstration performances were organized. Everyone, from peasants to the emperor and his concubines, came to watch the performances. Before the start, two ships were placed on the water, a swing was installed on the bow of each. Then drums called the audience and announced the start of the performance. The acrobats slowly swung the swings and began performing acrobatic tricks. They spun in the air, jumped into the water, and did somersaults on the swings. The performances were attended by young, physically developed men, often from the emperor's army. For the development of the future of the sport, these performances occupy an important niche in Chinese history. It is believed that victories in artistic gymnastics and acrobatics are ensured by Chinese athletes due to their historical love for these sports.

In its original version, the game was called “Autumn Battle” or “Autumn Mood.” The game got its name for two reasons. The first is that in ancient writing the hieroglyph “Autumn” resembles the image of a cricket. And the second is due to the fact that crickets live only in the fall and only 100 days. It was during this period that a serious struggle took place among peasant families. The game originated during the Tang Dynasty. In the books of those years there is a mention that one of the emperor’s concubines always put a cricket under her pillow before going to bed. Then she began to carry crickets everywhere in a special cage. They say this is where the science of entomology originated. First, there was an interest in crickets and their effect on sleep (at the suggestion of the same concubine), and then in the insects themselves. Competitions for entire families to catch crickets appear. Each evening, participating families gathered with their catch and counted the number of crickets. The family with the most crickets won. During the Ming era, the game became increasingly popular.

– cuju (ancient Chinese ball game)

The game is considered one of the predecessors of football. In fact, both games have similar features, but the differences between them are quite deep. In the ancient Chinese version of football, you had to give all your strength. During the Han Dynasty, the game of cuju was considered a form of martial arts. The game developed dexterity, endurance and dexterity. Despite the strict requirements for the selection of players, it became widespread not only in the imperial army, but also in the palace of the aristocracy, and then everywhere. It all started with the first emperor of the Han Dynasty, Liu Bang. He did not deny himself pleasures. For days on end he watched the performances of musicians and dancers. But nothing impressed his spoiled taste. The days seemed fresh. They were overcome by blues. Then his great-grandfather told him about his favorite hobbies: cockfighting and cuju. Liu Bang not only became interested in the game, but also became an excellent player himself. It was under him that the game became widespread at court. And then cuju becomes a folk game of the lower strata. During the Han Dynasty, it was not just entertainment, but a duty. Everyone had to be able to play.

During the game, it was necessary not only to score a goal for the opposing team, but also to demonstrate mastery of the ball, hands, feet or head. The main difference from modern football is that there were no wide goals. And a hole was dug in the ground into which the ball could fit. That's where the ball had to be hit. This is much more difficult than on a wide gate. And besides this rule, there were no more rules. Pushing, tripping, everything that is now considered foul play was encouraged. That is why the players were always in excellent health.

Early names: “air zither”, “paper kite”, “paper kite”. Flying a kite into the sky is a traditional Chinese activity. A game with a truly very long history. Previously, the kite was not paper, but wooden. Descriptions have been preserved of how “a wooden kite soars in the air.” More than 2,400 years have passed since the first wooden kite was made. And even then, somehow it was launched into the sky. During the Eastern Han Dynasty ( 25 – 220) the first paper snakes appear. And the new name of the game is “Paper Kite”. Then the children launched the kite. Everyone was proud of their own paper kite. Interestingly, during the Tang Dynasty, one of the emperors used a snake to transmit secret letters and was very successful in this. It was during this dynasty that paper toys of various shapes began to be produced. The craftsmen making the toy appear. The ancestor of modern calls to apartments is considered to be a Chinese paper toy. One of the emperors was very fond of music. And I decided to combine a flute and a paper dragon. The flute was placed in a paper dragon and hung up. When the wind blew, the toy made a melody. This is where the modern name “Kite” came from.

The game originated more than 2400 years ago. At that time, the Chu Kingdom had a powerful army and warships. Military clashes mainly took place on the water. It was then that an ancient Chinese weapon was invented to capture a retreating enemy ship, in other words, a special hook. When the enemy was defeated and intended to hide in the endless waters, the military threw a hook onto the ship and dragged it. The soldiers on the shore often loudly told and showed the events of the past day, depicting throwing a hook. This is how the idea of ​​tug of war came about. The first competitions among the military appeared. But the game quickly spread to the masses. During the Tang Dynasty, they pulled a bamboo stick. Then a rope about 16 meters long appeared. Tug-of-war competitions attracted thousands of spectators. There are mentions that even foreigners coming to China enjoyed attending such events.

– acrobatic stunts on a pole.

They were popularized during the Han era as a special sport. From childhood, children were taught to handle a pole, climb it and perform certain acrobatic tricks. From the palace chambers the game quickly spread to the streets of cities as street gymnastics. The performances were mesmerizing with the complexity and danger of the stunts. Later, a royal team was created, which traveled around the cities and selected talented acrobats. And the winner was the stuntman with more complex acrobatic elements on the pole. Today, in the ethnic minority areas of China, the ancient traditions of pole acrobatics are still preserved. In some cities you can actually still find performers on the streets.

This national ball game originated during the Tang Dynasty. Before the game started, we had to divide into teams. Each player has a stick in his hands with which he needs to hit the ball. The goal of the game is to hit the enemy's goal. The game is vaguely reminiscent of modern hockey. During the Song Dynasty, the game turned into a sport. Famous trainers appear who have traveled to cities. And the game becomes not a team game, but against each other. Mostly adult men took part in the game.

– Word game verse-chains

The game is suitable for women's quarters, and then for the development of children's speech. This is a kind of game on figures of speech. The first girl reads a line from a poem, idiom or proverb. The second girl continues the sentence using the last character in the first sentence. The next players continue in the same way. The game perfectly develops children's speech culture and vocabulary. It was from this game that riddles, tongue twisters and puzzles emerged. This interesting game instantly won popular love among the Chinese. It could be played at any time, without being distracted from household chores.

– Riddle games or “Tiger Hunt”

The riddle was written on a red lantern and passed on to another person; if he could not guess, he passed it on again. Another name for the game is “tiger hunting”. At first, children played riddles in the courtyards. Then the lovers took over the game. This method of playing red lanterns appeared in the Song era.

-Game Eagle caught a chicken

This game has several names: “Yellow Hawk Eats Chicken”, “Weasel Eats Chicken”, in Cantonese it is called “Eagle Snatches Chickens”. The exact time of the game's appearance is not known, approximately during the Ming Dynasty. This is a fun group game that involves a large number of participants. Always takes place outdoors because it requires a lot of space.

One player becomes the eagle, his task is to grab and pull out the chicken. The remaining players line up next to each other. The first person in the row is a chicken, the rest are chickens. The hen's job is to protect the chickens from the eagle. The chicken that is pulled out does not participate in the further game. Only in the next round will he be able to participate. Children of almost all ages took part in the game. It was the favorite game of all children. The game perfectly developed physical health and endurance, because you had to constantly run.

– Egg fight

Traditionally, the game took place annually on March 3rd according to the lunar calendar. This is, first of all, a children's game. At the beginning of March, in the evening, parents cooked for their children. A set of eggs for each child. The net had to be hung around the neck. Eggs can be chicken, goose or duck. All eggs are painted red. There are no rules in an egg battle, there is only a pre-agreed number of participants. The main thing is to save as many whole eggs as possible. It was possible to shorten from the enemy or attack.

It is the progenitor of the game of hide and seek. The exact time of the game's appearance is not known. Young children especially loved playing fish. The main attribute of the game was a rope and a scarf. The rope marked the circle, the boundaries of the game. One of the players was blindfolded, and the other was given a bag of pieces of wood. The blindfolded player's task is to grab the player with the bag.

Competition of strength was considered a special pastime in ancient China among the adult population. Such competitions allowed me to stay in good physical shape. And the competition appeared thanks to Emperor Qin Shi Huang. After the reunification of China, the emperor prohibits the possession of weapons. This is how bare-handed fights arise. It can be considered that this is the progenitor of modern fights without rules.

During the Han Dynasty, the idea of ​​Chi Yu appeared among the people. This is a kind of wrestling in which participants with bull horns on their heads attack each other. Such fights involved two people and attracted a large number of spectators. Much later, the struggle acquires a special cultural content. In the 70s of the 20th century, a silk painting was discovered in a Han Dynasty tomb in Shandong province that depicted two arm wrestlers. There are spectators around.

During the Jin era (265-419) Another name “sumo” appeared, and during the Tang Dynasty, sumo turned into a sports competition in which soldiers of the imperial army participated.

Another popular pastime is walking on stilts. An earlier name for "high legs". Stilt walking was one of the most popular shows in ancient China. Performances took place in spring and autumn. It is known that as early as 500 BC, stilt walking was popular in ancient China. There was not only walking on stilts, but also jumping and fighting with swords. Long wooden sticks were used for stilts. The tallest stilts reached a height of 1 zhang (Chinese fathom, equal to 3.33 meters). During the Six Dynasties ( 229–589) the game was called “stilt mastery.” It was only during the Song Dynasty that the already well-known simple name “Walking on Stilts” appeared. And they began to use sticks from 1 to 3 chi in length (Chinese foot, a measure of length equal to 1/3 of a meter).

– Hidden hook

An ancient Chinese game, the goal of which is to guess which player has a hook in their hand. According to legend, Emperor Han Zhao's mother held a small hook in her hand and extended her arms. The little emperor had to guess in which hand the hook was hidden. This is how this exciting game came about. The rules and way of playing are very simple. That's why they love her so much. Girls especially love her. They usually use a jade hook or a silver hook. Very often, children got together and played hook

More modern games dating back to the early 20th century and the formation of the Republic of China.

– Game of rubber bands

At that time, every girl had short rubber bands tied together into one long one in her backpack. Usually, while jumping in rubber bands, the girls said nursery rhymes, for example: “orchid flower, orchid flower, is not afraid of either wind or rain, the hardworking people of China always say, quickly open the orchid flower.” The girls jumped in rubber bands in small groups. In China, it is believed that such a game has only one positive side: a very active game ensures the physical health of children. The game also helps develop coordination. Hands and feet must be well coordinated. Playing rubber bands according to the rules is no different from our yard game.

– Classics

A game also known to us. According to the rules, there is no difference either. Squares are drawn on the ground, there can be 6, 12, etc. Then the first circle is determined with wooden dominoes. The dominoes are thrown onto one of the squares, and you need to jump there on one leg. Having jumped into the desired square with dominoes, you need to kick the dominoes with your other foot to the next square.

– Throw a bag of sand

To play, several rags were required to be sewn into one in the form of a small pocket. Pour sand into the middle and sew it up. This is how a bag of sand turned out. It is preferable to play outdoors and play in a large company. Players are divided into two teams and stand opposite each other at a certain distance. The order of the game is determined. The first team throws a bag of sand to the opposite team. If the bag hits someone, they must shout “dead.” The neighboring player picks up the bag and throws it back. And the one who turns out to be “dead” moves to another team. The team with more players wins.

– Game of beating with a stick

First, you need to collect a lot of ice cream sticks. Wash and paint in different colors. During the game, everyone sits on the ground. Each player chooses a specific color of sticks. All sticks are laid out in front of the players. Players then take turns using an ice cream stick to try to pull out a stick of their color. If there is contact with another player’s stick, the move does not count. Whoever pulled out the most sticks of his color won.

The game is popular among boys. Small holes are dug in the ground. Then you need to put pebbles there. Whoever fills all the holes with pebbles the fastest wins. In more affluent families, children used special glass balls. Simpler families used balls made of iron and clay. There was another way to play. All the same holes, they put a ball on the ground and tried to hit it into the hole with another ball from several meters away. Sometimes one big hole was dug out, and balls with 10 meters were hit there. The most accurate one won.

– Catching pebbles

The children first collected five pebbles from the river, always small in size. Preferably white. Then two people sat down on the ground opposite each other. One was throwing pebbles on the ground in front of him. The players' task is to react instantly and pick up more pebbles than the other player. The one who takes the most pebbles wins. A very fast and fun game. The game is very reminiscent of the Russian folk “Fleas in a bowl”

Children folded paper into a square envelope or triangle. They threw him on the floor. Then, with another identical envelope, the player tries to hit the envelope lying on the floor so that it turns over or changes its location. Then the turn passes to the next player. The game was used for entertainment in schools during breaks.

– City Assault

The game requires many people, who are divided into two teams of 6 players each. Then the boundaries of the city are determined, and a fortress is built from available materials. Goal of the game: capture the city. One team must attack, and the second must defend the borders of the city. Players can only use their hands during attack and defense. If the bodies of the fighting players come into contact, both are eliminated from the game. The team that loses the fewest players wins.

– Playing the blind man

It is carried out in a limited space, often in a classroom during recess. The driver is selected and blindfolded. The rest of the players should not get caught by the driver. But they should not walk quietly, but be sure to indicate their location to the driver with sounds. The game develops the ability to listen carefully and navigate in the dark.

– Jump over a goat

In the Olympic Games in gymnastics it is called "Jumping over a horse", a children's name for "jumping over a goat". They play in every school. One of the players squats down, the rest must jump over him without hitting him. If contact occurs, the jumping player becomes the goat. The game can become more complicated with higher “goat” poses, first squatting, then higher and higher.

– Blockhead

The game also requires limited space. Students usually played it during breaks. The driver is selected, the rest of the players must run away. As soon as the player realizes that he is being overtaken, he can suddenly stand in place, grab his head and loudly shout “Dumb”. Then the driver cannot pass the move to him. This player cannot move until other players touch him. The one who did not have time to shout becomes the driver. The game resembles the Russian folk game of tag.

Restrictions in one space than in a large circle, or in a classroom, one person chasing other people, running quickly to catch up. As soon as you’ve almost caught up, you need to immediately grab your head and shout “You blockhead.” Then you can't move. Other players must be hit in order to be able to join the game again. If you didn’t have time to shout, you played.

– Cockfight

The game does not require any equipment or preparation. Very simple. Players need to bend one leg at the knee and place it on the other. Hug your legs with your hands. On the other, supporting leg, jump and push other players so that they lose their balance and drop out of the game. You can attack one on one, or you can divide into groups.

– Roll the wheel

To begin with, it was necessary to make an iron wheel and a long hook. This hook was used to roll the wheel. A bamboo stick could be used as a hook. Whoever can roll the hoop the longest wins.

Such a popular dramatic genre of shadow theater or leather silhouette plays originates in the Celestial Empire.

As legend has it, Emperor Wudi was in deep sorrow after the death of his concubine Lady Li. To help him cope with the loss, the court fortuneteller made a wooden doll that exactly replicated Lady Li's figure. The silhouette of his beloved on the curtain instilled in the emperor the confidence that her spirit was visiting him. This incident is considered the beginning of the art of shadow theater.

Modern puppets for shadow theater are made from leather, because... it is lighter and more convenient to operate. This is how dolls are made: donkey or sheepskin, cleaned of hair, is cleaned and chemically treated to give it the necessary transparency. The pieces of leather are then coated with tung oil, dried and carved into figures of characters from plays. The body, head and limbs of the doll are cut out separately, then fastened with threads, and in the hands of the puppeteer the toys come to life, completely repeating the movements of a person. Then the dolls are painted in different colors, indicating their main qualities - kindness or evil, beauty or ugliness. During performances, the puppets are held close to a white screen with the colored side, shining a bright light on the back side.

Puppeteers control different parts of the dolls' bodies using special knitting needles. The performance is accompanied by musical accompaniment and singing by the puppeteers themselves. Some plays illustrate quite dramatic events. As for the heroes of fairy tales and kung fu stories, they often perform extraordinary tricks, such as riding on a cloud or demonstrating the wonders of martial arts, bringing special pleasure to children's audiences.

The growing popularity of shadow theater began during the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279), when numerous “shadow” performances were held at festivals. And during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), in Beijing alone there were up to 50 shadow theater troupes.

In the 13th century The shadow theater became the best entertainment in the yurts of the Mongolian tribes. Then, with their campaigns of conquest, this type of art spread to more distant countries - Persia, the Arabian Peninsula and Turkey. Later, shadow theater was also introduced to the peoples of Southeast Asia.

French missionaries brought shadow theater to Europe in 1767, staging performances in Paris and Marseille, which aroused great delight among the audience. Over time, ombres chinoises - “Chinese shadows” (French) took root, acquired local flavor and became ombres francaises - “French shadows” (French). Currently, more than 20 countries around the world have their own puppet theater troupes.

While some people's claim that Chinese shadow theater pioneered the art of cinema is undoubtedly an exaggeration, piyinxi has undoubtedly contributed to the development of the entertainment industry. In our time of widespread cinema and television, tourists still want to see performances of this ancient dramatic art.

The dolls themselves are available for sale in souvenir shops in the country.

The puppet theater "kuileisi" (Chinese: "puppet, parsley") is better known in China as "muousi" (Chinese: "muou" - "wooden doll"). The origin of the puppet theater is described in a traditional song: once Prince Mu of the Zhou state (c. 10th century BC), returning from a big hunt in the Kunlun Mountains, saw a performance by the famous carpenter Yanshi - wooden dolls of his own making in the hands of the master sang and danced . However, the first mention of muoshi as a self-sufficient form of entertainment dates back only to the Han Dynasty. However, puppet theater in China dates back at least 2,000 years.

Just like in most other countries, there are 3 types of Chinese puppet shows: puppets that are controlled using special spokes-levers, puppet shows and glove puppets. The most common type of puppet shows in China remains the first of the above. At the same time, the growth of the dolls, as a rule, does not exceed a meter in height; the craftsmen make them as “alive” as possible. The puppeteer lifts the doll above himself, controlling the body of the muou with one hand, and with the other a pair of knitting needles responsible for the movements of the arms. Dolls' legs most often remain closed.

The puppeteer requires special skill when handling a doll, because he needs to hold still or move an object weighing approx. 2-3 kg. Only in this way will playing with other parts of the doll’s body be convincing enough.

The puppets appear in front of the audience at full height. The doll's head, shoulders, waist, arms and legs are movable and controlled by wires extending from each part of the doll's body to a single bridge, hidden from the public, through which the puppeteer controls its movements.

Glove dolls or wrist dolls are very similar to the Russian Petrushka, also called "bag dolls" in China. They are the smallest of the 3 types of dolls, reaching approx. 20 cm. Their outfits are small bags that the puppeteer puts on his hand and controls the position of the doll and its movements.

The Chinese kite is called the predecessor of the modern airplane. In the exhibition hall of the National Aeronautics and Space Museum (Washington, USA), dedicated to aircraft, there is a commemorative plaque with the following content: “The first aircraft were Chinese kites and rockets.”

But Chinese fengzheng are not only toys. They made a great contribution to the development of science and production. In 1782, the famous American scientist and statesman Benjamin Franklin studied thunderstorms and lightning using kites, after which he invented a lightning rod. Many fishermen still cast bait into the sea using kites. And photographers use a Chinese invention to shoot from a bird's eye view.

The first kites in China were made of wood and were called “muyuan” - “wooden kites”, their appearance dates back to the Warring States period (475-221 BC), i.e. at least 2000 years ago. After the invention of paper, muyuan became zhiyuan (Chinese “zhi” - “paper”).

At that time they served military purposes. According to historical records, fengzhengs were enormous in size, and some were so large that they could support human weight. On such kites, scouts rose into the air and surveyed the location of the enemy army. In addition, they were used to distribute leaflets over enemy headquarters. The ancient work "Record of Amazing Events" states that when Xiao Yan, Emperor Wudi (464 - 549) of the Liang Dynasty, was surrounded by unruly tribes under Hou Jing, he sent a signal for help on a kite.

During the Tang Dynasty (618-907), bamboo slats began to be attached to the bodies of kites, which in the air under gusts of wind began to emit a melodic ringing, similar to the sounds of the zheng, a traditional stringed instrument. Since then, kites in China have been called “fengzheng” - “wind zheng”. In some areas of the Middle Kingdom, it is customary to attach silk or rubber strips to them to make them “sing” in the sky.

During the reign of the last Qing dynasty (1616-1911), people believed that a snake released into the sky would take with it all the sorrows and adversities of a person. And vice versa, if a fengzheng that is lost by another person is raised, it will take on all his worries and troubles. Of course, this is just a superstition, but it can also contain a rational grain: think how useful it is for a person with a heavy load on his soul, a sick person, to spend time in the fresh air, flying a kite into the heights.

Some people prefer to release Fenzheng at night. They hang lanterns in a row with lit candles, then flickering in the dark sky.

There are 2 main types of Chinese kites: with removable wings and with wings attached to the body. The first ones are easily disassembled, stored and transported in boxes, which makes them a good gift. The latter stay in the air better and rise much higher into the sky. According to their design and some other parameters, kites are divided into more than 300 types, including human figures, fish, insects, birds, animals and hieroglyphic inscriptions. The size can also vary from 304 m to 30 cm in wingspan.

Not everyone can make a good kite. First of all, you need to choose the right type of bamboo to make the frame. For large fengzheng, thick and durable bamboo is used that can withstand wind pressure. For miniature kites, thin bamboo strips are often used.

The second step will be choosing a coating for the frame. Typically this is done using paper, but silk coated snakes are more durable and have higher artistic value.

At the final stage, the covering is decorated with paintings. In mass production, they are printed on paper before being mounted on a frame. But in accordance with tradition, kites are painted after fixing the material on the frame by hand. Often, good luck wishes are written on the surface of the kites. For example, pine and crane symbolize longevity; images of bats and peaches serve as wishes for good luck and long life, etc.

In 1983, in Tianjin, during a large-scale kite flying competition, a group of 5-6 people from the Tianjin Fine Arts Factory made a fengzheng in the shape of a dragon, consisting of hundreds of compartments and hundreds of meters long, dance and soar in the air . The Japanese guest launched a kite 300 m long (270 compartments). These and other performances attracted everyone's attention and caused a storm of applause.

The annual kite festival in the province has become widely known. Shandong. Having acquired international status, this festival every year brings together participants from all over the world.

As you know, on holidays and other significant occasions in China, volleys of firecrackers can be heard everywhere.

They were called differently at different times in different parts of the country. Initially, the sounds of bursting firecrackers were supposed to scare away wild animals, including the mythical unicorn Nian, who appeared every year at the end of winter - beginning of spring and terrified people. Gunpowder did not yet exist, so the Chinese set fire to dry bamboo sticks that made such a sound. Therefore, the first firecrackers were nicknamed “baozhu” - “crackling bamboo”, which still retains this name in some books.

Quite by accident, the name of the magical unicorn that appeared annually came to mean “year.” And the tradition of exploding firecrackers at the end of the year has taken hold in all parts of the country. It began more than 2000 years ago.

After the invention of gunpowder, empty bamboo sticks began to be filled with it, which made explosions louder, and firecrackers began to be called “baozhang” - “exploding sticks.” They continue to be called by this name to this day in some areas of China. According to the book “The Origin of Things” (a work of the Dynasty Song period), it was Ma Jun, who lived during the Three Kingdoms period (220 - 265 BC), who first suggested filling empty bamboo with gunpowder. OK. 1700 years ago.

Further development of the craft of making firecrackers led to the appearance of the first paper scrolls with gunpowder, which gave a single explosion. Then came the "double explosion" firecrackers - "ertijiao", as well as firecrackers hung in rows. “Double” firecrackers, with a thick paper body, consist of two compartments: the explosion of the 1st launched the firecracker high into the air, and then the surrounding area was deafened by the explosion of the 2nd firecracker compartment. Currently, the art of fireworks continues to be improved: by adding various substances, they have learned to make firecrackers colored, coloring the evening sky with millions of bright lights.

Launching firecrackers on the occasion of the New Year, weddings, and the victory of the national team at international competitions have become a favorite pastime for children and youth. Apparently, the Chinese tradition of fireworks is spreading to more and more nations, as the colored lights of fireworks fly across the sky.

This traditional game is still popular among the Chinese. People playing chess can be found everywhere: in factories, schools, villages and in the courtyards of houses. Chess is also often played in parks and along roads. As a rule, a crowd of curious people gathers around the players. The chessboard in Chinese chess is divided by 9 vertical lines and 10 horizontal lines, which form 90 intersections. The middle line is called the “Chu River”.

The areas on the chessboard with diagonal lines are called the "Nine Palaces", where the commander and his guards are located.

Chess pieces are mainly made of wood. In Chinese chess, the pieces are round. There are 32 figures in total, half of which are black and half are red. Each player has a general, two guards, pairs of queens, cannons, horses, two chariots and 5 soldiers. Each player strives to destroy the opponent's pieces and take over his field. If one piece finds itself in a dangerous position, it should be moved to a safe area as soon as possible. But if this is not possible, another “warrior” must be sent to help her. The main goal of the game is to capture the enemy army. The one who succeeds becomes the winner.

Majiang has a long history in China. Because the game uses tiles similar to dominoes but engraved with Chinese characters and characters, majiang is also called a "brick-laying" game. According to legend, majiang was invented by Chinese military strategists who used "bricks" to recreate the disposition of troops during battle. A complete set of majiang consists of 136 tiles: 36 with the image of a line (or bamboo), numbered from 1 to 9 (each “number” - 4 pieces), 36 with a circle (or dot), 36 with a broken line (or hieroglyph), 12 rewards (4 red, 4 green and 4 white dragons) and 16 winds (4 east, 4 south, 4 west and 4 north). The main set does not include the 8 colors that are added mid-game.

A line represents spears, a dot represents shields, and a broken line represents troops. The winds represent the generals of the troops in 4 positions. The hieroglyph “zhong” marks the commander-in-chief, and “fa” marks his adjutant. White tiles are used to represent reserve forces. The game involves 4 people, each of whom gets 13 tiles. The goal of the game is to collect all sets of tiles: the winner is the first player to get 4 sets. Previously, Majiang was played for money, but now this tradition has been preserved only in villages. In the 20s of the 20th century, the game from China came to Western countries and Japan, where in our time it is extremely popular.

China is considered the birthplace of raid checkers. Perhaps they were invented by ancient strategists for military purposes. In Chinese, raid checkers are called “weiqi”. The goal of the game is for participants to capture territory on a square wooden board by occupying free points with their checkers. Their history goes back more than 4000 years, but they became widespread only during the Spring and Autumn period (770-476 BC). During the Sui and Tang dynasties (581-907), checkers also came to Japan. In recent decades, with the development of international relations and cultural exchange, checkers has spread to Europe and North America. At first, the checkerboard was divided by 11 vertical lines (then the number increased to 15, 17, and finally 19) and 19 horizontal lines, forming 361 intersections.

Two people take part in the game: one has 181 black shi checkers (stones), and the other has 180 white ones. The first move is made by the player with black checkers (if the game is played between equal players). If someone is weaker and someone is stronger, then the player with white checkers goes first. The player must strive to ensure that the number of occupied surrounded points is less than the checkers that were captured by the enemy. The 19-line board can often be found in traditional Chinese paintings from the Tang era (618-907).

Chinese traditional games are very diverse, and people of any gender and age will find something interesting for themselves. Many of them originated in ancient times, spread throughout China and became part of the culture for many centuries. Some of those ancient games are considered the ancestors of modern sports. They were very simple in rules, did not require a long explanation, and most importantly, they did not require any special equipment, only what could be found on the street was used or did not require special skill in manufacturing. Therefore, children from the poorest families could also participate in the games.

The ancient game of spinning top appeared during the Song Dynasty (960-1279), only at that time it was called “Thousands”. No special rules or preparations are required for the game. It's very simple, the children needed to find a needle-shaped object about three centimeters in size. Stick it in the middle of a small plate, such as wood or ivory. It turns out something like a modern spinning top, which, accordingly, needs to be untwisted. Whoever spins the longest wins. As a rule, each player made his own spinning top. It is interesting that in Rus' back in the 10th century there was a similar game; the top was called “kubar”, hence the expression “to roll head over heels”. Hundreds of these same kubars were found at excavations in ancient Novgorod. In China, the more modern name of the game, which is translated into Russian as “top,” appeared much later, during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Already at that time, the toy could be purchased in city markets. It was wooden and slightly modified, with a long rope. According to the rules, you had to throw the top and pull the string to make it start spinning. As soon as the toy began to slow down, you could pull the string again. So, spinning the top, you could play endlessly. The game was very popular throughout China. Today, who do you think is into the game of spinning top? Grown men! They hit the rotating projectile with special bats, not giving it any rest. A sort of hybrid of children's play and good physical exercise and emotional release at the same time.

Now about the “swallow game”. It is akin to a game popular in Russia at the beginning of the 2000s called “sox”. The origin of the “Swallow” dates back to the reign of the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD). But the game gained popularity during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). There is a legend about this game in one of the books of that time. One wandering Shaolin monk arrived in the city of Luoyang. While walking through the streets of the city, he noticed a 12-year-old boy. He tossed the shuttlecock with one foot 500 times on each leg. And he never dropped it on the ground. The boy made money with this attraction, entertaining street onlookers. The monk was amazed by such abilities and invited the boy to study at Shaolin. Since then, the game has gained unprecedented popularity. It was believed that thanks to the skill of the legs one could become a disciple of Shaolin. Over time, several varieties of the game appeared: one-on-one, pair-on-pair, four-on-four, etc. The goal of the game remained unchanged: not to drop the shuttlecock for the longest time. The game of swallow reached its peak during the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911). It can be said that swallow was played in all corners of China. The game has no age restrictions; the whole family can play it. Another distinctive feature is its mobility. The Chinese have always paid special attention to their health. And playing swallow is very useful for maintaining physical fitness. This is why the game is still so popular in parks all over China, although now the game is more popular among the elderly population. At that time, absolutely everyone played it, and teenagers especially loved it. The game was so popular that many songs, poems and even paintings have been preserved about it. This is truly the most family-friendly and popular game in China.

Playing kungju can be considered a Chinese yo-yo. The appearance of the game is associated with the period of the Three Kingdoms (220 - 280). It was then that the first mentions of the beautiful game of kunzhu were found in the poems of the poet Cao Zhi. A children's song about kunju has also survived from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). All this only proves once again what a long history this game has. It was during the Ming Dynasty that the first general rules and manufacturing materials were developed. The toy was made of bamboo or wood. Kunzhu is shaped like a coil. It is hollow, and small holes are made in the circles on the sides, 4 to 6. Wooden blocks are placed there to make a sound when twisting. Then, the player pulls the rope on two sticks. He lifts it above his head and throws it to the kunju. The goal of the game is to spin faster and longer than other opponents. The sound made by the projectile played an important role. Mostly children of all ages took part in the game. The game greatly contributed to the physical development of children and reaction speed.

Already during the Jin Dynasty (265-419), swings became a favorite pastime at court. And during the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, swings gained unprecedented popularity. In every palace during the Tang Dynasty, swings were installed and were considered the “Game of Demigoddesses.” The court girls spent a lot of time on the swings, playing word games. In the Song era, acrobatics was born thanks to swings. This is no longer just entertainment for girls at court, but a way to maintain the physical health of men, develop endurance and flexibility. In summer and autumn, demonstration performances were organized. Everyone came to watch these spectacles, from peasants to the emperor and his concubines. Before the start, two ships were placed on the water, a swing was installed on the bow of each. Then drums called the audience and announced the start of the performance. The acrobats slowly swung the swings and began performing tricks and all sorts of tricks. They spun in the air, jumped into the water, did somersaults, and so on. The performances were attended by young, physically developed men, often from the emperor's army. In the development of the future of sports, these performances played an important role in Chinese history. It is believed that Chinese athletes’ victories in artistic gymnastics and acrobatics are ensured by their historical love of swings.

Flying kites into the sky is a traditional Chinese activity. A game with a truly very long history. Previously, the kite was not paper, but wooden. Descriptions have been preserved of how “a wooden kite soars in the air.” More than 2,400 years have passed since the first wooden kite was made. And even then, somehow it was launched into the sky. During the Eastern Han Dynasty (25 - 220), the first paper snakes appeared. And the new name of the game is “Paper Kite”. Then the children launched the kite. Everyone was proud of their paper pet. Interestingly, during the Tang Dynasty, one of the emperors used a snake to transmit secret letters and was very successful in this.

It was during this dynasty that paper toys of various shapes began to be produced. Master makers appear. The ancestor of modern doorbells in China is considered to be a Chinese paper toy. One of the emperors was very fond of music. And I decided to combine a flute and a paper dragon. The tool was put into the craft and hung up. When the wind blew, the toy made a melody. This is where the modern name “Kite” comes from, as legend has it.

The incredible hard work, dedication and patience of the Chinese people is largely due to the specific education system adopted in this largest Asian country, which shows rapid economic growth and enviable sporting success. We would probably call this system authoritarian and even cruel, but the Chinese themselves consider it absolutely natural and the only true one.

The infamous slogan “One family - one child,” put forward by the government in the 80s of the 20th century, forced families to approach the birth of a child with special care - they had no room for error. The woman decided to have an abortion, even if she was not satisfied with the gender of the child (for a long time, the birth of a boy has been considered a great joy in China, and the birth of a girl is considered a failure), and the birth of a baby with possible abnormalities was out of the question. In rural areas, however, this rule was never followed; “illegitimate” children were either not registered at all, or they were used to giving birth and paying taxes. Now the state, having become convinced of the ineffectiveness of the old strategy, has put forward a new slogan - two children, although many Chinese women who decide to undergo sterilization will no longer be able to use it.

The birth control policy forces parents to raise their only child (maximum two) very strictly so that he grows up to be the best, most talented, educated, and successful. “If you are not the first, then you are a failure” is a common slogan of Chinese parents. This is not cruelty, but sober calculation and concern for the future of one’s child, because “making it among the people” in a country of a billion people is not at all easy. The ability to survive in competition is instilled in children from childhood.

Unlike the values ​​that develop in Western society, Chinese society does not place the child’s personality and his harmonious development at the forefront, but leadership, diligence and the ability to achieve goals. Teachers and parents do not complicate the upbringing process with such concepts as the delicate child’s psyche, self-esteem, trusting relationship with the child, etc. On the contrary, they believe that Europeans are too “bothered” with the problems of children’s individuality. Chinese children are taught to be submissive, and displays of spontaneity and ordinary emotionality are considered a sign of immaturity and inability to control oneself. If there are problems, Chinese parents will never take their child to a psychologist; they would rather punish him or even flog him.

An ambitious state, understanding the value of the “human factor”, sets the goal of the comprehensive development of children. From the age of 3 months, the state takes over the upbringing of children, who can already be sent to a nursery. From the age of 1.5 years, the child begins to receive a comprehensive and, it must be said, quite high-quality education: children are taught music, drawing, and develop mental and physical abilities. From 3 to 6 years old, children go to free kindergartens, which are not much different from Soviet and post-Soviet ones - here, without unnecessary frills, children are taught to work and collective coexistence, and they begin to teach literacy. Attention: a child who at the age of three does not know how to care for himself (eat, dress and undress, go to the toilet, wipe his butt, etc.) WILL NOT BE TAKEN into a state kindergarten. There are also private kindergartens, where there is better technical equipment, more attention is paid to cultural and aesthetic development, there are fewer children and more teachers. From 6 to 12 children attend primary school, the next three years are devoted to compulsory secondary education. But only those who study well get into high school, and the competition is very high.

Schools in China require a separate paragraph. Children not only study there, but by our standards, they simply “work hard.” Every day the student gets up at 5 am to repeat and complete his homework. Children are in school all day to give parents the opportunity to work fully. Officially, they study until 5-6 pm, but in practice, after clubs and extra classes, they come home after 10 pm! During the holidays, they are given so many tasks that they need to study for at least 2 hours every day, and before the start of the school year they need to come to school and hand in the assignment to the teacher. The most surprising thing is that nervous breakdowns and overwork are not typical for Chinese children in such a rhythm of life (or do demanding parents and teachers simply not notice them?)

One gets the impression that for the Chinese, a child is a kind of project, which in the future must necessarily meet all the hopes of the parents. And here mom and dad can be truly ruthless: they force them to play scales for hours, not allowing the child to eat, drink or rest until he succeeds, the way he should. Or tearing up your mom's birthday card if it wasn't done well enough. They resort to blackmail, threats, deception and severe punishment, just so that the children meet the standard set for them. The Chinese do not allow you to waste time on TV or computer games. The choice of university and future profession for a child is also made by adults. And it’s better for impressionable parents not to know at all about what the victories of little Chinese athletes are worth.

At the same time, Chinese parents are always friendly and really love their children. How does all this affect the psyche of children? It’s difficult to say, because in infancy they are taught to obey their elders, not to be capricious and to be content with little. But the thing is that Chinese children are completely open, smiling, not “twitchy”, affectionate towards their elders and perceive their “hard labor” life as the norm. There are no shootings in schools, and teachers are not hated.

So, the Chinese style of education is the absolute opposite of the European one, but the hardworking and disciplined Chinese are the absolute opposite, for example, of the infantile and lazy Spaniards. Some things in Chinese upbringing will seem unacceptable to us, but some will seem quite reasonable. And if we reduce the level of authoritarianism and make allowances for cultural characteristics, we will recognize in him the good old Soviet upbringing. Which my children sometimes really miss.

Most of the time, children in China are busy with school, which begins at eight o'clock in the morning and ends at eight o'clock in the evening.

The brain of a Chinese child continuously absorbs an endless stream of information and this stimulates its development. The task of the flow of knowledge absorbing the child is to provide the child with a prosperous future in the conditions of fierce competition in the Middle Kingdom. Chinese childhood slogan: “Learn always - learn everywhere!”
At the end of each school day, the kids have homework, which is a kind of entertainment for them (at least that's what they call it).

Doing homework is a mandatory process and there is simply no such thing as “not doing it” in a child’s head. The system is produced by the Chinese "frames and boundaries" from a very early age and this completely shapes the picture of their thinking as adults.

In this article we want to tell you what the children of the Celestial Empire are interested in, what is most popular among the younger generation of Mao Zedong’s people.

After talking with more 500 Chinese children aged from 5 to 12 years, we can summarize certain statistics of their hobbies.

So, for example, boys cannot live peacefully without such things as:

1. LEGO construction set

2. Game "MineCraft"

3. Comics about mysterious “purely Chinese” super-heroes

4. Watch-phone

5. iPad

6. Collecting miniature robots and soldiers

Favorite hobbies and toys girls are:

2. Collecting stickers

3. Dancing

4. Playing a musical instrument

5. Books about princesses