Equestrian Sports: Archery and Polo in Chinese History

Equestrian sports

Equestrian sports, including polo, horse racing and performances on horseback, were already in existence during the Han Dynasty (206BC-AD220) and became a favourite sport with the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) courts. During th Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) times, they were quite popular both among the populace and imperial troops.

A horse race in a carved Han brick excavated in Zhengzhou, Henan Province.

Performances on horse: a temple mural

Part of the Ming painting “One Hundred Beauties” shows that horse racing was popular among women at the time.

Painted Acrobatics Figurine

A Tang porcelain figurine excavated in 1960 in Turpan, Xinjiang, showing one riding a horse.

Performances on horse and elephant: a mural at Chongshan Temlpe in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, built in the Ming Dynasty

Portions of this article were adapted from research materials originally published on China Sports Museum.