Hockey on Horseback" Polo's Women
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In PursuiBower t of Tte Oh Hockey on horseback" a perfect name for this sport. olo was a favorite sport in scoring the most goals. Indeed, the game may during China's Tang dynasty be considered hockey on horseback. (A.D. 618-907). Historical It is not known where and when polo began, and literary records, excavated artifacts, but its widespread play throughout Asia strongly and artworks all attest the game's popularity suggests that it is a regional creation, invented during this period. where horses were plentiful and horsemanship Polo was also considered excellent practice prized—Iran or Afghanistan, for example. Polo for fightitig on horseback. most likely originated several centuries before Whenever atiyone the Tang. was criticized for The game's initial popularity in China generally spending too is linked to the fascination of early Tang rulers much time on with western and central Asian culture. As the this demanding dynasty prospered and expanded its power west activity the into central Asia, the exchange of customs and defense was trade goods between East and West may have .- that polo was resulted in polo's introduction to China. not a sport, A few Chinese historians claim that polo is : , •; but military a Chinese invention, evolving from games that ; ^ trammg, and were played on foot and involved hitting a ball. ^'; .^' essential for To date, the only clear vmtten evidence for the the good of all. game in China dates to the Tang period and later. Tang scholars also These include references to jiqiu (strike ball). played polo. It became Further, these passages that refer to the game traditional in the later years clearly indicate that the player was mounted on Compare the a horse or donkey. Today, the Chinese usually hunter in the image of the dynasty for successful at top to the polo candidates in the national refer to the sport as maqiu (horse ball) or players above and examinations to host a polo damaqiu (strike horse ball), although the below right. What tournament to celebrate Tang term o^jiqiu is sometimes used. differences do you their achievement. In 877, Polo is often mentioned in Tang poetry, note? Can you find a team of scholars even sometimes very vividly In a work by Han Yu a poio ball? beat a military team. (768-824), the ball is referred to as "the divine bead." But it also figures in historical texts, including Polo is a game of players usually mounted on references that praise the skill ol horses and sometimes donkeys and mules. Emperor Xuanzong (723-756) Elephant and bicycle polo also exist. The players at the game. hit an object, usually a ball but variants may include headless goats, as in parts of central Asia Polo's Women today through a goal, generally wiib a sticklike Tang women frequetitly played implement. The winners are those who succeed polo and were praised by the another of Wu's sons, the son who eventually ruled as Zhongzong, enjoyed watching a polo match against Tibetans. In the game, his nephew, poet Wang Jian (about 751-830) for their ability who later ruled as Xuanzong, played exception- to execute backhand shots. Images of female ally well. It is possible, therefore, that Empress players frequently show them as riders, wearing Wu herself may have enjoyed this pastime. the more convenient male dress. Among the most beautiful portrayals of female polo players are Virginia L. Bower is a scholar who specializes in Chinese ceramics, particularly those of the Tang dynasty. those on Tatig dynasty mirrors. The exceptionally long-hooked polo sticks female players hold differ from the shorter, hooked riding sticks wielded by mounted hunters, who are shown Polo Today pursuing animals (see image opposite top). Historical records suggest that Tang men and women played on separate teams and that imperial palace women played only with the DECEMBER 11, 2004: During the final of the emperor and selected relatives or favored Argentine Open polo championship in Buenos individuals. Some mixed games may have Aires,Argentina, juan Martin Nero (right) aims for taken place. the ball ahead of Eduardo Heguy. The event, held [ at the Campo Argentino de Polo, is considered The argument that polo was good training one of the highlights of the world's polo calendar. for battle may seem irrelevant to its popularity among Tang women. However, a daughter of Gaozu, the founder of the Tang dynasty, played a key role in her father's rise to power by gathering and leading a sizable army. Her forces joined with other troops that supported the Tang cause, and, together, they conquered the Sui dynasty capital. No evidence has yet been uncovered that proves the most famous and powerful of Tang women. Empress Wu, played polo. However, it is certain that the sport was popular among some of her relatives. A mural depicting polo was found in the tomb of her son, Li Xian, Crown Prince Zbanghuai. According to the records. The scenes at left and opposite were found in the tomb of Li Xian, Crown Prince Zhanghuai, and date, most likely, to »A.D. 706. Painted on opposing walls in the tomb's entrance tunnel, both the polo players and the mounted hunters are vivid depictions of humans and animals working together. .