Across the globe there are a number of barriers that separate the people who live within them. Language, religion, race, culture, and geography are just a few of these barriers. Throughout time people have seen many events that can bind some of these countries together. One constant is athletic events. Some countries are more powerful at this. Ancient Chinese sports like juedixi, dragon boat racing, and cuju are able to connect and unify many people across the globe and allow barriers to be crossed throughout the world. Juedixi is an ancient form of modern day gymnastics that changed the way we do gymnastics today. The Chinese were able to take gymnastics, which were originally from England, and create its own distinct features that challenged
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To fully understand the legend one must also know that the dragon has a very symbolic meaning for the Chinese. It is believed that, “with its strength and power the Dragon rides the clouds in the sky and commands the wind, mist, and rain” (International Dragon Boat…). The spirit of the dragon is key in allowing the people participating in the event to row with one purpose. Originally the people of ancient China would use the Dragon Boat to “appease the rain gods,” but that all changed by the actions of Qu Yuan (Chittick). Qu Yuan was a very prestigious poet and minister, but, because of political corruption he decided to commit suicide. Around mid-summer he went to the Miluo River to complete this action but the local people followed him. The people were stopped by Dongting Lake. It was determined that they would compete to get across the lake to a pavilion to save the loved poet. It is said by many that the locals failed because they did not have the spirit of the dragon with them while saving Qu Yuan (Chittick). Although the people failed to save the beloved poet, they still passed the competition down through the generations. Through this legend many are able to understand the importance of having harmony and one purpose while rowing the Dragon Boat. The ability to be in harmony with others is also important in other …show more content…
By Americans this sport is known by a different name, soccer. The literal meaning of cuju is, “kick the ball with foot” (“The Evolvement…”). Therefore, cuju is a very appropriate name for this sport, because its meaning directly correlates to the actions in this game. In modern day society, cuju is used to entertain and to show one’s athletic ability, but circumstances were different in ancient China. Although cuju was used as an activity for the people of China, it was also important to the training of military personnel (“The Evolvement…”). Cuju was used to “build up soldiers’ physique, nurture valor and acquaint them with subtleties of attack and defense” (“Sports and Games…”). Many generals would assign each man to a team, and he would teach the men defensive and offensive strategies through the game. This gave the soldiers the ability to bond with their fellow men while participating in the training. When they were on the battlefield the general would, “[give] orders to build and play upon a football pitch” (“Sports and Games…”). The modern day equivalent of this would be a coach calling out a play in a game and the players executing that specific play. By doing this the general would be able to keep the soldiers in shape while allowing an element of
To fully understand the legend one must also know that the dragon has a very symbolic meaning for the Chinese. It is believed that, “with its strength and power the Dragon rides the clouds in the sky and commands the wind, mist, and rain” (International Dragon Boat…). The spirit of the dragon is key in allowing the people participating in the event to row with one purpose. Originally the people of ancient China would use the Dragon Boat to “appease the rain gods,” but that all changed by the actions of Qu Yuan (Chittick). Qu Yuan was a very prestigious poet and minister, but, because of political corruption he decided to commit suicide. Around mid-summer he went to the Miluo River to complete this action but the local people followed him. The people were stopped by Dongting Lake. It was determined that they would compete to get across the lake to a pavilion to save the loved poet. It is said by many that the locals failed because they did not have the spirit of the dragon with them while saving Qu Yuan (Chittick). Although the people failed to save the beloved poet, they still passed the competition down through the generations. Through this legend many are able to understand the importance of having harmony and one purpose while rowing the Dragon Boat. The ability to be in harmony with others is also important in other …show more content…
By Americans this sport is known by a different name, soccer. The literal meaning of cuju is, “kick the ball with foot” (“The Evolvement…”). Therefore, cuju is a very appropriate name for this sport, because its meaning directly correlates to the actions in this game. In modern day society, cuju is used to entertain and to show one’s athletic ability, but circumstances were different in ancient China. Although cuju was used as an activity for the people of China, it was also important to the training of military personnel (“The Evolvement…”). Cuju was used to “build up soldiers’ physique, nurture valor and acquaint them with subtleties of attack and defense” (“Sports and Games…”). Many generals would assign each man to a team, and he would teach the men defensive and offensive strategies through the game. This gave the soldiers the ability to bond with their fellow men while participating in the training. When they were on the battlefield the general would, “[give] orders to build and play upon a football pitch” (“Sports and Games…”). The modern day equivalent of this would be a coach calling out a play in a game and the players executing that specific play. By doing this the general would be able to keep the soldiers in shape while allowing an element of