Ritual Archery - Holding the String and Missing the Shot

Archery requires extremely high consistency in movement, and this consistency is premised on adherence to the shooting method. "The Book of Rites: The Meaning of Archery" states: "Only when one's mind is upright and one's body is straight can one hold the bow and arrow firmly and steadily. Only when one holds the bow and arrow firmly and steadily can one aim accurately." This is the earliest record of the essentials of archery in ancient China.

Ritual archery is divided into eight techniques: holding the string, aiming with the bowstring, straightening the bowstring, firmly holding the bowstring, raising the bow, drawing the bowstring, aiming with the bowstring, and retracting the bowstring. Starting today, we will introduce each technique one by one. Regarding holding the string, the "Ritual Rites: Rural Archery Ceremony" states: "Hold the bow without holding it, and hold the string with the right hand." Holding the string means standing with the bow in the front hand and the string in the back hand. This requires a high level of concentration on the archer's mind and posture. Holding the string is the foundation of the eight techniques of ritual archery, and requires stability and accuracy. "The Book of Rites: The Meaning of Archery" states: "Inner mind is upright, outer body is straight." Liu Qi explains: "The mind is the leader of qi. When the mind is upright, qi is naturally peaceful. When qi is peaceful, the spirit is focused and not scattered. Only when the mind is focused can one follow one's desires. Therefore, the first is to have a correct mind. Qi is the fullness of the body. When the body is relaxed and straight, qi naturally flows freely. When qi flows freely, the bones are tight and strong. When bones are tight and tendons are relaxed, there is nothing to be disturbed. Therefore, the second is to have a straight body." To have a correct mind is to have a clear mind, that is, to have a righteous heart.

The archer must be focused and free from distractions. He must establish a correct view of archery practice, maintain a clear mind, and maintain focus. To have a straight body is to stand naturally upright (the spine should not be stiff, but in a natural position), like a pine tree rooted in the rock or Mount Tai standing on the earth, with the feet rooted and steady. Having a correct mind and a straight body is the core of archery and the first step in cultivating both the inner and outer qualities of archery.

Key Points of Archery

1. Be calm, have a clear mind, and be composed and peaceful. Breathe evenly, sinking the Qi into the abdomen.
2. Keep your head upright, your face natural and dignified, and your eyes looking straight ahead with a firm, focused, and confident gaze.
3. Stand with your feet parallel and shoulder-width apart, your center of gravity resting on the line connecting the soles of your feet, evenly distributed between your feet. Lift your arms as if holding a drum, lowering your shoulders and lifting your elbows. Your chest, abdomen, waist, and back are naturally strong, neither stiff nor strained. Your legs are naturally straight, neither bent nor tense.
4. Place the base of your front hand firmly against the junction of the bowstrap and the arrow head, while your back hand holds the string at the same height as your front hand. Hold the bow upright in front of your heart, steady and perpendicular to the ground. Hold the bow at your waist, tightening neatly and roughly parallel to the ground. You and the bow are one, your feet rooted to the earth, and you stand firmly on the ground.
5. Feel the awe-inspiring spirit of a true man. Even if Mount Tai collapses behind you or swords clash before you, your face remains calm and your heart remains steady, maintaining the awe-inspiring and inviolable demeanor of a true man.

"Holding the Arrow"
2. "Holding the Arrow" (zhèngshì) states in the "Rites of Rites: Xiangshe Ceremony": "When holding the arrow horizontally, hold it between the index and middle fingers." Holding the arrow horizontally between the index and middle fingers is called "holding the arrow." In the eight techniques of ceremonial archery, all four arrows are held behind the waist. Holding the arrow horizontally between the index and middle fingers involves taking the arrow from the waist and placing it horizontally between the index and middle fingers, similar to loading a bullet into the chamber. Most people focus more on controlling the bow during archery practice than on handling the arrow. Typically, the arrow is immediately nocked after being removed from the bag, and then released. Ceremonial archery emphasizes every detail of the practice. Holding the arrow horizontally, zhèngshì (zhèngshì) inherits the Xiangshe Ceremony's "holding three arrows and holding one arrow," while also highlighting the importance of the arrow and showing respect for it.

Key Points of Holding the Arrow
1. Maintain an upright head and body, and steady the bow during holding the arrow.
2. Keep the bow perpendicular to the ground, and the arrow parallel to the ground.
3. The entire movement should be smooth and rhythmic. Always maintain stability of the bow and arrow, minimizing any shaking.

Pinch-and-shoot Steps
1. Maintaining your grip on the string, lower your back hand to the flinch area behind your waist. With your palm facing backward, grasp the flinch and pull it out.
2. Spread your front hand's index and middle fingers in a scissor-like pattern. With your back hand, place the flinch between them.
3. Hold the arrow shaft with your front hand. With your back hand, palm facing downward, slide it back over the arrow to the tip of the feathers, stopping when your pinky touches the feathers. Leave four finger widths between your thumb and index finger to hold the arrow.
4. Hold the arrow shaft with your back hand and push it forward, stopping when your index finger touches the string.
5. Using your back hand's index finger as a fulcrum, curl your back three fingers, turn your palm upright, extend your middle finger, and use your index finger to hold the arrow. Hook the string with your ring finger and pinky, and press your thumb sideways against the string. Keep your back hand securely on the string. The pinch-and-shoot position should be precise, with the tip of the feathers approximately four finger widths from the string.