Museum Updates
Dance or martial arts on ice? Qing ice games echo Olympic grace
Updated: Feb 6, 2026
China Bound
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Did you know that the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) court embraced winter ice play as a "national custom"? In the silk painting Ice Play (bingxi tu), performers glide across frozen surfaces in spiraling circles, firing arrows to hit balls, wielding blades, even stacking human pyramids. It feels strikingly close to the elegance of modern Figure Skating. To today's figure skaters: may your blades trace perfect lines and your performances shine on the ice!
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