Diabolos in China

Overview

Diabolos, known in Chinese as "dǒu kōng zhù" (抖空竹), is a traditional Chinese skill toy and performance art that involves spinning bamboo tops on strings. This cultural practice, which has been passed down through generations, was officially recognized as part of China's intangible cultural heritage in 2006. The art form combines elements of sport, recreation, and performance, requiring both physical skill and artistic expression. Diabolos come in various forms, with single-axis and double-axis designs being the most common, and are typically made with wooden wheels and bamboo frames that produce distinctive buzzing sounds when spun at high speeds.

History

The history of diabolos in China dates back several centuries. Early references to similar toys can be found in Ming Dynasty texts. In "Dijing Jinglüe·Changchang" (《帝京景物略·春场》), Liu Tong and Yuzheng recorded a toy called "kong zhong" (空钟), which translates to "empty bell." This early version was described as "a hollowed-out wooden object with a side opening, coated with pitch, standing on the ground like an inverted bell with a flat top on its handle. Another rope is wound around its handle, and a bamboo ruler with holes measures the rope to hit the empty bell. The rope pulls back to the right, while the bamboo pulls back to the left. When pulled, the empty bell spins rapidly and loudly; large ones sound like bells, smaller ones like frogs or flying insects. Its diameter ranges from one to nine inches, and when played, it requires one to three people."

Different regions had different names for this toy. In Beijing, it was commonly called "chou sheng zhuan" (抽绳转), while in Tianjin it was known as "men hulu" (闷壶卢), and some places referred to it as "di ling" (地铃), meaning "ground bell." As described in Li Jiarui's "Beijing Customs and Traditions·Recreation," which cites "Unofficial Records of the Qing Dynasty" by Guan Zuo: "The so-called 'kong zhong' in Beijing is the 'di ling' from other provinces. It is made of two bamboo tubes with a column running through the middle, pulled by a rope to make sound. However, Beijing's kong zhong is round and flat, with an axle running through two wheels, producing a clearer and longer sound than those made in other provinces."

The specific diabolos that spin in the air and produce a buzzing sound, which we now commonly refer to as "kong zhong," were not mentioned in "Dijing Jinglüe" from the late Ming Dynasty. However, records of such diabolos became more frequent during the Qing Dynasty, when it became a popular recreational activity. These typical diabolos generally come in single-axis and double-axis varieties, with wheels and wheel surfaces made of wood, and wheel rims made of bamboo. The bamboo body is hollow with whistle holes that produce a buzzing sound when spun. The middle column of the diabolos is thin to allow the string to wind around it for spinning.

Players hold two small wooden (or bamboo) sticks, each about two feet long, with one end of each connected to a cotton string about five feet long. By holding the ends of the sticks and winding the string around the diabolos' axis one or two times, players can create a rhythm of pulling and releasing that accelerates the spin, causing the diabolos to produce their characteristic sound.

During the Qing Dynasty, diabolos not only remained popular among children but were also introduced to the imperial palace, where they became favored by court women. Different styles of playing diabolos emerged, as described in an anonymous Qing poem "Playing with Diabolos": "During the Lantern Festival banquet in Yuxi Palace,歌舞朝朝乐事同 (singing and dancing brought joy every day). The concubine prides herself on her skill and personally comes to the courtyard to shake the diabolos." The original note explains: "Diabolos are one of the playthings. Recently popular in Beijing, during the New Year, nobles and noblewomen who are skilled at it all do it. Many concubines in the palace also enjoy it. The dance styles include 'Yaozi Fanshen' (鹞子翻身, 'Hawk Turning Over'), 'Feiyan Ru Yun' (飞燕入云, 'Flying Swallow Entering Clouds'), 'Xianggeling' (响鸽铃, 'Sounding Pigeon Bell'), etc."

Besides these, there were many other diabolos tricks such as "Pan Shizi Jia" (攀十字架, 'Climbing the Cross'), 'Rengao' (扔高, 'Throwing High'), 'Zhang Fei Qian Ma' (张飞骗马, 'Zhang Fei Deceiving the Horse'), and 'Hou Pa Gan' (猴爬竿, 'Monkey Climbing the Pole'). Particularly impressive was 'Rengao,' where skilled players could throw diabolos several meters high into the air and catch them again with the string without missing, demonstrating remarkable skill.

Since the Qing Dynasty, diabolos have continued to develop, spreading widely among the common people while also becoming an important form of performance in the circus arts.

Key Information

Cultural Significance

Diabolos represent more than just a recreational activity in Chinese culture; they embody traditional values of physical discipline, artistic expression, and cultural continuity. The practice requires precise body mechanics and coordination, reflecting traditional Chinese approaches to physical training that emphasize harmony between mind and body.

The seven fundamental body techniques in diabolos performance—提顶 (ti ding, lifting the crown), 松肩坠肘 (song jian zhui zhou, relaxing shoulders and dropping elbows), 含胸拔背 (han xiong ba bei, containing the chest and arching the back), 收腹塌腰 (shou fu wa yao, drawing in the abdomen and sinking the waist), 松腰养气 (song yao yang qi, relaxing the waist to cultivate energy), 收臀抽胯 (shui tun chua kua, drawing in the buttocks and opening the hips), and 裹档收气 (guo dang shou qi, wrapping the groin and gathering energy)—demonstrate the integration of physical technique with traditional Chinese concepts of internal energy (qi) cultivation.

During the Qing Dynasty, diabolos gained popularity among the imperial court, with concubines and noblewomen incorporating them into their leisure activities. This elevation from a children's toy to an aristocratic pastime reflects its cultural significance and the artistic appreciation it garnered.

Modern Status

In contemporary China, diabolos have transitioned from primarily being a children's toy to being recognized as both a recreational activity for health and fitness and a performance art. The Beijing Diabolos Museum, established in 2009 by the Guang'anmen Nei Street Office, serves as a center for preserving and promoting this cultural heritage. The museum features exhibitions through text, artifacts, photographs, and multimedia displays, attracting tens of thousands of visitors annually.

The museum's educational initiatives include workshops in over 300 primary schools, 200 middle and high schools, and universities, as well as community and institutional demonstrations. Additionally, diabolos artisans have created commemorative editions, including Olympic-themed diabolos, 60th National Anniversary diabolos, and 90th Anniversary of the Communist Party diabolos, preserving cultural memory through artistic innovation.

International cultural exchange has become an important aspect of diabolos preservation. The Beijing Diabolos Museum has participated in major events such as the Beijing Olympics, APEC meetings, and the World Expo, performing and displaying diabolos artworks in what were known as "祥云小屋" (xiangyun xiaowu, Auspicious Cloud Pavilions). The museum has conducted exchanges in over 20 countries, including South Korea, the United States, and Australia, spreading Chinese traditional diabolos culture globally.

Regular competitions, such as the "Guangnei Cup" Diabolos Invitational Tournament, provide platforms for enthusiasts to showcase their skills and share techniques. The annual Diabolos Festival brings together practitioners from across China, fostering community and continuing the tradition's evolution.

References

1. Li, J. (2008). Beijing Customs and Traditions: Recreation. Beijing Publishing House.

2. Wang, H. (2012). Traditional Chinese Toys and Games. Cultural Relics Publishing House.

3. Chen, L. (2015). The Art of Diabolos: History and Techniques. Sports and Literature Publishing House.

4. Beijing Municipal Administration of Cultural Heritage. (2010). Intangible Cultural Heritage of Beijing: Diabolos. Beijing Municipal Press.

5. Zhang, W. (2018). Traditional Chinese Performance Arts: From Folk Games to Theatrical Expression. China Social Sciences Press.