Chinese boys jump rope, Song Dynasty, ca. 1100 AD
Jump into the New Year
In ancient China, the only way to celebrate the passing of the old Year was to jump into the new…
For this traditional leap you need just one thing, Hemp!
Children skipping rope, China 1957
Before passing into the new year in China, a ancient rite was performed. During the New Years Eve celebration, costumed participants would perform an act known as ‘Hundred Rope Jumping’. Using a large hemp rope, celebrators would jump over a twirling hemp rope, saying goodbye to the old and jumping into the new…
The hemp would serve two purposes in the act. First the hemp was used in the game as the actual hurdle into the new year. But other ropes made of different material could serve this purpose so why use hemp? Hemp has been used throughout Asia to purify, so skipping the hemp rope literally resolves the old year and purifies the new, helping to start the year off with a clean slate.
Chinese children would go on to imitate this act year round as a fun game. It is said as the children skipped the hemp rope, if they look up, the rope loosens in tension above them making it look like 100 threads whipping over head, hence the name for the game known as “jumping 100 threads”.
Hope everyone’s year jumps off right! Happy New Year everyone!
Jumping Rope, France 1870’s