The Tang Dynasty (618-907) was the era when polo and dancing horses were most popular. From emperors, imperial concubines, and high-ranking officials to commoners, everyone regarded playing polo and watching dancing horses as fashionable. The prosperity of these entertainment activities not only demonstrated the strength of the Tang Dynasty's national power but also reflected, from another perspective, the profound influence of Horse zodiac culture on the daily lives of the Tang people.
The Tang Dynasty (618-907), whether politically or militarily, represented a pinnacle in the development of China's feudal society. The rulers implemented enlightened ethnic policies, and polo and dancing horse performances, both imbued with characteristics of ethnic minorities, gradually flourished and reached their peak.
Polo (a traditional equestrian sport in Chinese culture).
Polo, known in ancient Chinese historical records as jiju, jiqiu, or daqiu (all terms for striking or hitting a ball), was widely popular during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE), enjoyed by everyone from the emperor down to princes, ministers, scholars, and military officers. In 1971, the Shaanxi Provincial Museum excavated the tomb of Li Xian, Crown Prince Zhanghuai of the Tang Dynasty, in Qian County, which contained numerous burial artifacts. Among the more than 50 intact murals on both sides of the tomb passage was one titled "The Game of Polo." The painting depicts over twenty galloping horses with plump bodies and tied-up tails. The riders wear headscarves and boots while holding polo sticks. One rider on a chestnut horse races ahead, raising his stick high and turning sideways to strike the ball, which rolls across the field as several other riders behind him urge their horses forward to compete for it.
The reason polo was so popular during the Tang Dynasty was inseparable from the prolonged wars of the period. Tang Emperor Taizong, Li Shimin, reformed cavalry equipment to create light cavalry, which fully utilized the strengths of rapid mobility and long-distance raids. This specialization aligned with the strategic needs of the vast and expansive Tang Empire. Therefore, from its founding, the Tang Dynasty placed great emphasis on the development of its cavalry forces. Once horses were available, it was necessary to train in horsemanship and mounted combat techniques. Polo was the best means for training in both horsemanship and swordplay on horseback. The purpose of polo in the Tang Dynasty was military training, though it also served as an excellent form of entertainment.
"A hundred horses gallop close together in reflection, their joyful shouts filling the air as brave men cry out." Whether participating in the game or watching a match, the sport of polo can invigorate one's spirit. Polo was highly popular in the Tang Dynasty (618-907) court, with sixteen emperors from Emperor Zhongzong to Emperor Zhaozong being polo enthusiasts. Imperial relatives, high-ranking officials, and frontier garrison commanders even built private polo fields. As the custom became fashionable, even palace ladies competed in polo as a trendy activity, illustrating the widespread popularity of the sport.
When Li Longji, Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), was still the Prince of Linzi, his superb and unparalleled polo skills had already earned him renown both inside and outside the court. After becoming emperor, Li Longji selected fine horses and devoted himself to polo. However, as the ruler of the nation, he rarely played in person anymore, instead often watching matches between the palace teams, savoring the competitive thrill of the intense contests.
Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Li Chen, was no less skilled at polo than Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Li Longji. He often appeared on the polo field, holding a polo mallet and riding his horse with vigorous leaps. He would strike the ball multiple times in midair while his horse galloped without stopping, as fast as lightning and thunder. Even the polo experts of the Left and Right Shence Armies all admired the emperor's superb and extraordinary ball skills. Emperor Xizong of Tang, Li Xuan, was even more addicted to polo, neglecting state affairs. He once boasted, "If I were to take the imperial examination for polo, I would surely come out as the top scholar." On one occasion, Emperor Xizong ordered Chen Jingxuan and three others to compete in a polo match. Chen Jingxuan won the first point and was immediately appointed as the military governor of Xichuan Circuit.
The mural "Polo Match" from the tomb of Crown Prince Li Xian (Prince Zhanghuai) of the Tang Dynasty is the earliest visual record of the Tang emperor and ministers' deep passion for polo. The painting depicts over twenty riders, each holding the reins in their left hand and a crescent-shaped polo mallet in their right, wearing narrow-sleeved robes in light and dark colors, with all horses having their tails tied up. The foremost rider, mounted on a sorrel horse, turns back and strikes the ball with a reverse hand, showcasing the famous Tang Dynasty backhand stroke technique. One rider looks back sideways at the ball, while two others behind spur their horses forward to seize it; the rest are either moving or stationary, some competing fiercely and others watching intently. Tang Dynasty excavated polo figurines and bronze mirrors with polo patterns also corroborate these historical records.
Dancing Horse (Wu Ma)
During the Tang Dynasty (618-907), not only was polo popular, but dancing horses also flourished on an unprecedented scale with unparalleled skill. Zheng Chuhui of the Tang Dynasty recorded in his work "Ming Huang Za Lu - Dancing Horses" (Miscellaneous Records of Emperor Minghuang) that Emperor Xuanzong ordered the training of four hundred dancing horses, each of which performed with exquisite perfection. These dancing horses, "adorned with embroidered silk, bound with gold and silver, their manes decorated with pearls and jade," were well-trained and would dance to the music. Every year on the Emperor's birthday (Qianqiu Festival), Emperor Xuanzong held a dancing horse celebration under the Qinzheng Tower in Xingqing Palace. When the orchestra played the tune "Qingbei Yue" (Toasting Music), each dancing horse "raised its hooves and lifted its tail, changing its posture and expression, all in perfect rhythm with the melody." At the end of the music, the dancing horses would kneel down holding cups in their mouths, bowing to Emperor Xuanzong to offer birthday greetings and urging people to drink.
The Tang Dynasty dancing horse cup-in-mouth patterned leather-pouch-style silver pot unearthed from Hejiacun in Xi'an vividly presents the scene of a Tang Dynasty dancing horse kneeling with a cup in its mouth before people. The dancing horse has a plump rear and a healthy body, with long mane flowing heavily, a floral knot tied around its neck, and slow ribbons fluttering. It holds a wine cup in its mouth, with its front legs braced diagonally and hind legs crouched, its tail raised upward, as if perfectly matching the musical rhythm, offering a toast to the emperor with graceful dance moves. This charming image, corroborated by historical records, evokes the grand spectacle of Tang Dynasty dancing horses and is truly indescribably wonderful.
Further Reading
The Six Steeds of Zhao Mausoleum
Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, Li Shimin, had a lifelong love for horses, cherishing the warhorses he rode during his southern and northern campaigns as much as the meritorious officials who achieved great feats. Before his death, Li Shimin ordered the images of six horses that had rendered military service to him to be carved into six stone reliefs, which were placed on the stone screen of his mausoleum after his passing. These are the world-renowned "Zhaoling Six Steeds." They are named Tele Biao, Qing Zhui, Shi Fa Chi, Sa Lu Zi, Quan Mao Gua, and Bai Ti Wu. Each of these six horses has its own war background: Tele Biao was the mount Li Shimin rode in the decisive battle against Song Jin'gang, a general of Liu Wuzhou; Qing Zhui was the warhorse that repeatedly performed meritorious deeds in charging against Dou Jiande; Shi Fa Chi was the famous steed ridden during the major battles against Wang Shichong and Dou Jiande; Sa Lu Zi was Li Shimin's mount in the battle at Mount Mang in Luoyang against Wang Shichong; Quan Mao Gua was the warhorse ridden in the battle against Liu Heita; and Bai Ti Wu was the horse ridden when Li Shimin defeated Xue Rengao and captured him.