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Bow

Specialty Definition: Bow

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Specialty Definition: Archery

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

Archery is a precision sport where competitors aim to hit targets using a bow.

Modern Archery

The sport of modern archery derives from the archery contests of the Olympic Games. For the most part, therefore, it is Occidental archery (see below), with modern materials, and compound bows.

Almost all archery competitions score the competitors' accuracy. The competition is to hit fixed targets some distance from a stationary archer. In normal competition, matches are against one other archer. The archers take turns shooting arrows at a fixed target with ten concentric rings coloured 2 each white, black, blue, red and yellow. An arrow that lands in the outermost white ring is awarded one point, the next smaller white ring two points, and so on up to ten points for the innermost yellow ring. An arrow that misses the rings completely is not awarded any points.

There are three types of bows in archery competition, but Olympic competition only uses the "classic" type bows, typically made of advanced alloys and composites. These are expensive precision equipment.

Successful archery requires a steady hand, a good eye, and the ability to calm one's nerves.

History

Archery is descended from the use of the bow and arrow for military and hunting. It is known to be at least 5000 years old and possibly much older. Organised archery competitions date from no later than 1583 in England, not long before bows were superseded by firearms in war. Archery has been an Olympic sport since 1900 (with some interruptions).

There are two classical traditions in archery, the occidental, and oriental. They are not similar at all. The oriental tradition has a more powerful technique.

Archery bows usually have two working limbs but compound bows have been made with only one limb (and eccentric pulleys on the opposite side of the riser (handle)). Symmetrical bows are easier to make and use but many cultures have nonetheless developed assymetrical bows. The projectiles shot by bows are arrows.

A standard archery target has five colored rings each divided in two bands. each band of the target has the same width, The central two bands (bullseye, 10 points) and the ring valued at 9 points are yellow. The next two bands from the center out (7, 8) are red. The 6 and 5 rings are blue; the 3 and the 4 are white and the lowest, outer bands are black. When counting points, an arrow shaft that breaks the line dividing two zones is counted as being in the higher zone. Most archery competitions have the archers firing rounds of three arrows, collecting their arrows and summing points at the end of each round.

Occidental Archery

Occidental archery uses a wooden bow that resembles a straight staff. To prevent damage to the bow from shrinking bowstrings and to prevent "memory" in the wood, the bow is unstrung when not in use. The occidental bow is made from yew, but can also be made from willow or lemon wood. The ends of the bow are notched to hold a bowstring. A handle is wrapped around the center, usually leather or cord (classically, a spare bowstring). The occidental bowstring is linen, waxed with beeswax to keep it from absorbing water and changing length.

The occidental arrow is straight, constructed of beech or boxwood, relatively rigid, fletched with three fin-like feathers, and painted with colored rings to show its owner. Hunting is with knife-like broadheads. Archers in a war used chisel-points to penetrate armor. Soft brass-headed practice arrows were developed in England so yeomen could practice more innocuously, without any possibility of being thought highwaymen or insurgents (chisel points) or poachers (broadheads). Occidental points are bronze, brass or steel.

The occidental archer holds the bow extended with the weak hand. and holds the string with the index and middle finger of his strong hand. He protects the strong hand's fingers from the bowstring with a square of leather or a half-glove called a tab. The bowstring can hit the extended weak arm quite painfully, so this arm is protected with leather strips or a partial gauntlet called a brace.

The most powerful and effective occidental archers were probably the English and Welsh using longbows. They made a national sport of training.

Oriental (Asian) Archery There are many different types of bows that were used in Asia, though many have similar materials and characteristics. The bow most often associated with Asian archery is the horn bow. The hunting bow belonging to Odysseus described by Homer in book XXI of the Odyssey is a composite recurve bow. Such a bow has a core of some type of wood (usually bamboo), was backed with sinew, had a strip of horn on the belly, spliced ears of some type of wood, with everything held together with an animal glue, especially a fish air bladder type (from the brown croaker, predominantly). Although some horn bows are made in China and also by a few Western bowyers, the only regular production of these types of bows is done in Korea. For more information on horn bows, see: http://www.hornbow.com

The oriental arrow is long, slender, and flexible, usually made from bamboo (see http://www.bambooarrow.com). It visibly ripples around the bow when shot. The arrows are identified by calligraphy on the fletching. One form of fletching is small, thin, and fluffy, and either trail behind the arrow or flatten when shot. Some traditions (notably Kyudo) fletch arrows from one wing or the other of a bird, so the arrows spin in particular directions. Such an archer will learn to shoot "handed" arrows (Ya) in a particular sequence. Traditional premium fletchings are made from warlike birds such as eagles and hawks. Modern fletchings are from non-endangered species such as turkeys and chickens.

Hunting points are traditionally broadheads chipped from flint or volcanic glass, to assure that they cannot be used by insurgents against armored soldiers. Practice is with hunting points. War arrows use iron chisel points, and iron was a state monopoly of China for most of Asia's history.

The most common oriental school of archers starts a bowshot by holding the bow clasped to the chest, arrow point slightly up. Both arms are extended, the weak up, and toward the target, the strong arm back and away from the target. The bow and arrow are drawn down into a line with both arms locked on opposite sides of the body, but the elbow of the strong arm is permitted to flex. The bowstring and fletchings are held behind one's head. The arrow is held at the first joint of the strong-arm's thumb, and the string rests on a thumbring (mongol) or a slot at the base of a gauntlet's thumb (Japanese tsuri), so it does not hurt the thumb. A headband may be worn to keep the bowstring from hurting one's ear or head. Thick, loose clothing, usually a gi, protects the arms and chest from the bowstring at release. The soft fletching and flexible shaft cause less damage if they hit. Professional soldiers wore leather gauntlets, chest armor and helmets with flared ridges to protect against the bowstring.

The most powerful and effective oriental archers were probably the Mongols, who trained from childhood and shot from horseback.

See also: Kyudo, Japanese archery.

External Links

http://www.koreanarchery.org -- Korean archery

http://www.atarn.org -- Asian archery

Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Archery."

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Bow

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

The term bow has multiple meanings, and two different pronunciations, depending on context:

• A bow (rhymes with "low") is a kind of weapon; see bow (weapon)
• A bow (rhymes with "low") is a device used to play a strung musical instrument; see bow (music)
• A musical bow is a kind of simple strung musical instrument, usually plucked
• Bow is an area of London; see Bow, London, England
• A bow (rhymes with "now") is a lowering of the upper body whilst holding the lower body in its original position. In most cultures, a bow is a sign of respect given by the person bowing to the person bowed before. In some cultures, a whole body language involving bows as an important component has been developed.
• The term bow (rhymes with "now") is used by sailors to refer to the front end of a ship.

Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Bow."

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Bow (music)

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

In music, a bow is a device pulled across the strings of a string instrument in order to make them vibrate and emit sound.

A bow typically consists of a length of wood with some other material stretched between its ends. The type of bow used to play the violin and related instruments has many hairs stretched between its ends, but bows used in other cultures often stretch a single piece of string between the ends of the wood.

Fine modern bows used to play orchestral string instruments of the violin family (the violin, viola, cello and double bass) are usually made of Pernambuco wood from Brazil, and strung with horse-hair. Other parts of a fine modern bow are traditionally made with silver or gold, ebony wood from Africa, ivory, pearl shell, leather, and sometimes tortoise shell. Fine synthetic bows are also made of fiberglass and other man made materials. Cheaper bows can also be made of synthetic materials and less suitable types of wood.

The correct number of horse hairs a bow maker or luthier uses to hair and rehair bows for violin family instruments is 150 hairs for each bow. Inexpensive bows often use nylon or synthetic hair. Rosin, which is sticky and made from tree sap, needs to be regularly applied to the bow hair, so that the bow moving across the instrument's strings will cause the string to vibrate and produce a tone.

The kind of bow in use today was brought into its modern form largely by the bow-maker François Tourte in 19th century France. Pernambuco wood which was imported into France to make textile dye, was found by the early french bow masters to have just the right combination of strength, resiliency, weight, and beauty. Even so, a violin or a bow maker must choose sound quality above all, when choosing wood to make bows and instruments. A common practice even today, is to reserve the best and most beautiful tone wood for bows and instruments for a makers most expensive works.In order to shape the curve or “cambre” of the bow stick, a maker must first carve and then gradually heat the stick. A metal or wooden template is used to get the exact models curve and shape while heating. The art of bow making has changed little since the 19th century.

Playing an instrument with the wood of the bow rather than the hair or string is known by the Italian phrase col legno. Arco in Italian is the indication to use the bow hair to create the sound. The characteristic long, sustained, and singing sound produced by the violin, viola, violoncello, and double bass is due to the drawing of the bow against their strings. This sustaining of musical sound with a bow is comparable to a singer using breath to sustain sounds and sing long, smooth, or legato melodies. Without the bow the violin family would have a more percussive, plucked, or pizzicato character, like the guitar.

For information on archery bows used as a musical instrument, see musical bow.

Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Bow (music)."

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Bow (weapon)

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

A bow (rhymes with "so"and "oh") is a weapon that shoots arrows. It is useful for hunting and war. The technique of using a bow is called archery.

A large number of different bow designs have been used in different cultures and time periods. Common designs are; solid wood (the English longbow), laminated wood (Japanese and Saami bows) and bone-wood-hide composite (Middle East, India, Mongols). In modern times, the plastic composite and compound bows dominate for sport and hunting practices.

Although the bow is nowadays thought of primarily as a weapon, it is not clear whether this was the original use of the device. Instead it may have started life as a musical instrument and only later used to shoot arrows. The bow is still used as a musical instrument in some cultures today. It is usually referred to as a musical bow when used in this way, both to distinguish it from the weapon, and from the kind of bow used to play string instruments.

Modern-day use of bows for hunting is a matter of controversy in some areas but is common and accepted in others. Bow hunting is also still practiced in traditional cultures worldwide.

The "artillery" form of a bow is a ballista.

See also: crossbow, weapon

Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Bow (weapon)."

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Bow, New Hampshire

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

Bow is a town located in Merrimack County, New Hampshire. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 7,138.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 73.7 km² (28.5 mi²). 72.7 km² (28.1 mi²) of it is land and 1.0 km² (0.4 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.40% water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there are 7,138 people, 2,304 households, and 2,045 families residing in the town. The population density is 98.2/km² (254.3/mi²). There are 2,330 housing units at an average density of 32.0/km² (83.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 97.79% White, 0.13% African American, 0.10% Native American, 1.04% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.29% from other races, and 0.66% from two or more races. 0.49% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race. There are 2,304 households out of which 49.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 81.0% are married couples living together, 5.9% have a female householder with no husband present, and 11.2% are non-families. 8.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 3.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 3.10 and the average family size is 3.28. In the town the population is spread out with 32.6% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 27.2% from 45 to 64, and 8.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 99.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 93.7 males. The median income for a household in the town is $79,329, and the median income for a family is $83,567. Males have a median income of $60,375 versus $30,929 for females. The per capita income for the town is $29,557. 1.8% of the population and 2.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 0.6% are under the age of 18 and 4.2% are 65 or older.

Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Bow, New Hampshire."

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Musical bow

(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)

For the device drawn across the strings of string instruments such as the violin to make them sound, see bow (music).

The musical bow is a simple string musical instrument consisting of a string supported by a flexible string bearer, usually made out of wood. Often, it is a normal archery bow used for music rather than as a weapon.

Although the bow is now thought of as a weapon, it is not clear whether it was used in this way originally. Cave paintings in southern France dated to around 15,000 BC, show a bow being used as a musical instrument, so this use certainly has a long history. Musical bows are still used in a number of cultures today, almost all over the world.

The usual way to make the bow sound is to pluck the string, although sometimes a subsidiary bow is used to scrape the string, much as on a violin. Unlike string instruments used in classical music, however, they do not have a built-in resonator, although resonators may be made to work with the bow in a number of ways.

The most usual type of resonator consists of a gourd attached to the back of the string bearer. The bow may also be stood in a pit or gourd on the ground, or one end of it may be partially placed in the mouth. This last method allows the size of the resonator to be varied as the instrument is played, thus allowing a melody to be heard consisting of the notes resonating in the player's mouth. As well as these various forms of resonators, the bow is frequently played without a resonator at all.

The musical bow is generally played on its own, as a solo instrument.

Sound sample

• media:Musical bow.ogg (ogg format, 18 seconds, 94KB) - a Mbuti pygmy playing a plucked musical bow. He is using his mouth as a resonator, and by changing the shape of his mouth, and thus the amount of air contained within it, different notes can be heard above the unchanging "twang" of the bow string itself. This effect makes the bow sound rather like a jew's harp.

  Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Musical bow."

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Synonyms within Context: Bow

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Modern Usage: Bow

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Commercial Usage: Bow

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Image Slideshow: Bow

Photos: Bow More pictures...

Illustrations: Bow More pictures...

Computer Images: Bow More pictures...

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Photo Album: Bow

Thumbnail	Description & Credit	Thumbnail	Description & Credit
	Dolphin riding in the bow wave of the NOAA Ship FERREL. Credit: NOAA's Ark (Animals).		Dolphin in the bow wave of the NOAA Ship RUDE. Credit: NOAA's Ark (Animals).
	26' plastic pig running shore line in Pillsbury Sound Note man on bow watching out for coral heads and rocks Launch off of WHITING. Credit: Coast & Geodetic Survey Historical Image Collection.		Shipboard Shoran antenna as viewed from bow On EXPLORER. Credit: Coast & Geodetic Survey Historical Image Collection.
	The bow of the SURVEYOR - picking its way through the ice. Credit: America's Coastlines.		The Seattle space needle from the bow of the NOAA Ship RAINIER. Credit: America's Coastlines.
	Old-fashioned fish wind-vane on the bow of the MILLER FREEMAN. Credit: Paths Less Taken - NOAA at the Ends of the Earth.		Hammerhead shark passing bow of ALBATROSS IV while ship underway Apparently a hammerhead migration as ship saw hundreds of hammerheads swimming to northeast during the day. Credit: Paths Less Taken - NOAA at the Ends of the Earth.
	Bow of the CATERINA G. Credit: Fisheries.		Bow of a shrimp trawler at Matlasha Pass. Credit: Fisheries.
Source: pictures compiled by the editor from various references; see picture credits.

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Digital Photo Gallery: Bow
 

"Pearl Harbor Bow" by Nate Velasquez Commentary: "The sun shimmering on Pearl Harbor. Taken from a submarine with the US flag on it's bow."	"Bow Bridge, Central Park NY" by Dan Mulligan Commentary: "The Bow Bridge, located in the southern half of the park."
Source: photographs selected by the editor, with permission from the photographers.

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Sounds Captioned with "Bow".

Play	Caption
	An arrow flying off of the bow through the air.
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

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Familiar Quotations: Bow

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Use in Literature: Bow

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Non-Fiction Usage: Bow

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Speeches: Bow

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Usage Frequency: Bow

Source: compiled by the editor from several corpora; see credits.

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Name Usage Frequency: Bow

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Cities: Bow