Swing

Overview

A swing is a hanging seat that can swing back and forth, typically suspended by ropes or chains from a frame. With origins dating back tens of thousands of years, swings have evolved from practical tools used by ancient ancestors for climbing and crossing obstacles to recreational equipment enjoyed worldwide. Today, swings serve various purposes, from children's play equipment to competitive sports, particularly in ethnic minority communities across China.

History

The origins of the swing can be traced to tens of thousands of years ago in ancient times when ancestors needed to climb trees to pick wild fruits or hunt beasts. In their climbing and running activities, they often grasped sturdy climbing plants, relying on the swinging motion of vines to ascend trees or cross ravines. This represents the most primitive form of the swing.

The later form of swings, with ropes suspended from wooden frames and footrests attached, appeared in northern China during the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BCE). According to the Yiwen Leiju ("Collection of Literature Arranged by Categories"), "In the northern mountains of Rong, swings were used as entertainment during the Cold Food Festival." At that time, the ropes used for swings were typically made of animal hide for durability, which is why the traditional Chinese character for swing (鞦韆) contains the radical for leather (革).

During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty (141-87 BCE), swings became popular in the imperial court. Gao Wuji of the Tang Dynasty wrote in his "Ode to the Swing in Emperor Wu's Rear Garden": "Swings symbolize 'a thousand autumns.' Emperor Wu prayed for a thousand years of longevity, hence the many pleasures of swings in his rear garden." At that time, swinging was primarily for physical fitness.

The Tang imperial court called swinging the "Half-Immortal Game." Wang Renyu, in his Kaizhi Tianbao Yishi ("Anecdotes from the Kaiyuan and Tianbao Eras"), recorded: "During the Cold Food Festival in the Tianbao era, swings were erected in the palace for the concubines to play and laugh as a form of entertainment. The emperor called it the 'Half-Immortal Game,' and the citizens of the capital followed suit."

During the Song Dynasty (960-1279 CE), the "water swing" appeared. According to records such as Meng Li Lu by Wu Zimu of the Southern Song Dynasty, performances of this acrobatic act took place at Jinming Pool in the Northern Song capital Bianliang (modern Kaifeng), as well as at West Lake and the Qiantang River in the Southern Song capital Lin'an (modern Hangzhou). During summer water swing performances, everyone from the emperor and his concubines to princes, ministers, and common people would gather to watch. Before the performance, two elaborately carved boats were placed in the water with swing frames erected on their bows. When the performance began, drums sounded loudly on the boats. Acrobats first demonstrated pole climbing, then performers boarded the swings and swung vigorously. When the swing reached the level of the crossbeam, they would release the ropes, using the momentum to leap into the air, somersault, and then dive into the water. With various postures, the performance appeared both thrilling and beautiful, with endless variations. The "water swing" was similar to modern diving and represented a new development in Song Dynasty acrobatics, holding an important position in Chinese acrobatic history and influencing later generations.

Key Information

Cultural Significance

After the Tang and Song Dynasties, the custom of swinging spread nationwide with unprecedented popularity. In China's southwestern ethnic minority regions, other forms of swings such as "moqiu" (磨秋) and "fengche qiuqian" (风车秋千, windmill swing) are prevalent.

"Moqiu" can be divided into two types: "zhuan moqiu" (转磨秋, turning mill swing) and "modan qiu" (磨担秋, mill-pole swing). Zhuan moqiu has a central pillar with an axis at its top, to which four ropes are attached, each ending in a ring. Four people hold the rings and leap in rotation, resembling the motion of pushing a mill. According to Gujin Yishu Tu ("Ancient and Modern Art Pictures"), "This is a game of the northern Rong people, used to train agility." The Rong were an ancient ethnic group in northern China, and swings were originally tools for military training. After Duke Huan of Qi, the first of the Five Hegemons, defeated the Rong and incorporated their territory into the state of Yan, swings spread southward and gradually evolved into recreational equipment.

"Modan qiu" is constructed by fixing a hard wood pole, 1-2 meters long and about 15 cm in diameter, vertically on the ground, with its top tapered to serve as an axis. Another wooden pole, about 10 meters long and similar in diameter to the vertical pole, is carved with a depression in its center and placed horizontally on top of the vertical pole. Equal numbers of people sit astride each end of the horizontal pole. After running a few steps and kicking the ground, they quickly mount the pole or lie on its head, causing the pole to rotate like a mill. The ends rise and fall, resembling the up-and-down motion of a carrying pole. As the pole rotates, those on the ground kick to add momentum, causing the ends to alternate in elevation.

"Modan qiu" is popular among the Dai, Jingpo, Miao, Zhuang, Hani, Bouyei, and Gelao peoples in Yunnan, Guizhou, and Guangxi regions, with the Hani people being the most typical practitioners. The Hani people primarily play "modan qiu" during the fifth or sixth lunar month. The "Fifth Month Festival" is held on xu or hai days of the fifth month, while the "Sixth Month Festival," called "Kuzhaza" in the Hani language, is held for 3-5 days in the middle of the sixth month. Both are "Moqiu Festivals." A local legend explains the origin of the "Fifth Month Festival": In ancient times, the sun and moon appeared irregularly, harming crops. A brother and sister named Alang and Chang decided to help their neighbors. They cut a chestnut tree to create a "modan qiu," which flew them to the sun and moon. After persuading them to appear regularly day and night, the siblings were roasted to death by the sun and frozen to death by the moon. People commemorate them with this festival.

"Fengche qiuqian" (windmill swing), also called "cheqiu" (车秋), "zhuanqiu" (转秋), "zhuanzhuan qiu" (转转秋), "zhuan qiuqian" (转秋千), or "fangche qiu" (纺车秋), is named for its resemblance to a spinning wheel. Its structure is more complex than suspended or mill swings. Two wooden posts, about 3 meters high and 3 meters apart, are erected in a field. A crossbeam is placed on top of the posts, with a wooden cross-shaped axle about 1 meter wide in the center of the beam. Eight parallel arms, each about 2 meters long, are attached to the axle, with short ropes and wooden boards (like swing seats) at their ends. During play, four people sit on the boards, causing the axle to rotate as they rise and fall. When their feet touch the ground, they kick to add momentum, combined with the downward force of the other three participants, causing the swings to rotate in a circle. When spinning fast, it resembles a whirling windmill, creating a spectacular sight.

In the Miao region of southeastern Guizhou, each seat of a windmill swing can hold two people, making an "eight-person swing" when all four seats are occupied. Windmill swings are popular among the Miao, Achang, and Lisu peoples, with the Lisu people being the most typical. Among the Lisu, women primarily participate in windmill swing competitions during festivals, dressed in elaborate costumes. Competitions are organized in groups of four, with participants sitting facing outward on the swing boards. When the referee gives the signal, the swings begin to rotate like a spinning wheel, faster and faster, resembling a colorful ball in motion.

Modern Status

In 1991, "swinging" was listed as a performance event at the National Ethnic Minority Games, and suspended swings were later established as competitive events.

The swing, a folk activity with thousands of years of history, continues to thrive today. It enlivens people's lives and provides researchers with specimens rich in cultural content. After the Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE), swings gradually became a folk sport during festivals such as Qingming and Duanwu. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, with the rise of various modern sports, swing activities, except in some regions, have primarily become a specialized activity for children in most parts of China.

In February 1986, the State Physical Culture and Sports Commission issued the "Competition Rules for Swinging" (draft), and the same year, swinging was listed as an official event at the National Ethnic Minority Games. By the Sixth National Ethnic Minority Games in 1999, swinging had developed into a larger event with six individual events.

Swing competitions are open only to women and include individual, double, and team events. Events are divided into height competitions and bell-touching competitions. In height competitions, scores are calculated based on the highest point reached within a specified number of swings. In bell-touching competitions, scores are based on the number of times a competitor rings a bell at a specified height within a given time. The competition venue is a rectangular flat surface measuring 20 meters by 8 meters, with swing frames 12 meters high and starting platforms 1.3 meters high. In height competitions, athletes have six attempts, while in bell-touching competitions, only one attempt is allowed.

Swinging is not only an exciting competitive sport but also exercises one's will and cultivates courage. It is also beneficial to the healthy development of human physiological functions.

Among China's ethnic groups, the Korean people are particularly fond of the traditional competitive activity of swinging. This activity often takes place during festivals and sometimes includes competitions. During festivals, girls in colorful skirts gather around the swings to compete, with only selected experts participating in the sports competitions. In competitions, a string of golden copper bells is suspended from colorful ribbons in the air. Competitors swing to see who can ring the bells more frequently, with more rings indicating better performance. The flowing skirts, pleasant jingling of bells, and thrilling swinging create a spectacular sight.

The Gaoshan people of Taiwan call swinging "Miao Mian," meaning "flying to the sky," which aligns with the traditional Han understanding of swings.

The swinging custom of the Naxi people in northwestern Yunnan and southern Sichuan is commonly known as "Qiuqian Hui" (Swing Meeting). The eastern Naxi Swing Meeting is held from the first to the fourth day of the first lunar month, while the western one begins on the sixth day and lasts for 4-5 days. The Yanyuan Zhuzhi Ci ("Yanyuan Bamboo Branch Lyrics") from the Qing Dynasty states: "Colorful racks stretch to the clouds, celebrating the New Year better than the old; Sisters in beautiful clothes compete for beauty, while young men throw ropes to set the swings in motion." In areas like Baisha Village in Lijiang, newly married brides often tie red ribbons to the swing handles and offer pastries and melon seeds to those who swing, to pray for peace and good fortune. In Yongning and other places, on the last day of the "Swing Meeting," young women host banquets for young men who came to compete. During the banquet, men smear women's faces with soot from pots, chasing and playing with each other, as smearing is considered auspicious. Legend has that in ancient times, demons would come to capture beautiful women during the "Swing Meeting," and this method of covering faces was developed to prevent harm from evil spirits, becoming another custom of the gathering.

References

1. Naquin, S., & Rawski, E. S. (1987). Chinese Society in the Eighteenth Century. Yale University Press.
2. Du, B., & Liu, X. (2012). Folk Sports and Games of China's Ethnic Minorities. China Social Sciences Press.
3. Mackerras, C. (2003). The New Cambridge Handbook of Contemporary China. Cambridge University Press.