Chinese Yoyo
~ Devin Lu ~
~ Ethan Ku (slides) ~
Chinese Yoyo, also known as diabolo, is a popular Chinese folk activity. In Chinese, it's called 扯鈴 (che ling)
History
The Chinese yoyo or "spinning top" was invented in the Ming Dynasty (1386 - 1644 A.D.). The Chinese yoyo used to be made out of ceramic and wood, then it evolved to being made out of bamboo, with different holes cut in it for different whistle pitches. Nowadays, the most common are plastic Chinese yoyo's.
The Chinese yo-yo has a long, thin axle with disc-shaped wheels while the Westernized version of the Chinese yoyo is a more cone-shaped design (which I use).
In the Qing Dynasty (AD 1644-1911), playing Chinese yoyo developed into a popular Chinese yoyo juggling show. During this time, the Chinese yoyo jugglers created new tricks and learned difficult skills. The performances were combined with music to make the act more intense. These jugglers used not only the traditional double-headed Chinese yoyo, but also designed the single-headed Chinese yoyo (shown at the right with metal in wood for balance on one side).
The Chinese yoyo became fascinating and popular. There are now over hundreds of different Chinese yoyo tricks. Chinese yoyo continues to be very popular today.
How to Chinese Yoyo - Tutorial
You will need a Chinese yoyo, and sticks connected by string (Can be found on Amazon).
Chinese Yoyo YouTube tutorial
Time Stamps:
00:12 How to Start the Chinese Yoyo
00:35 Spin Chinese Yoyo Faster
01:08 Tilt Chinese Yoyo Forward
01:18 Tilt Chinese Yoyo Backwards
01:22 Turn Chinese Yoyo Right
01:40 Turn Chinese Yoyo Left
01:58 Loop Counterclockwise
02:05 Unloop Clockwise
02:11 Trick #1: Toss
03:02 Trick #2: Leg Toss
03:27 Trick #3: Spiderweb
04:10 Trick #4: Bridge
03:39 Trick #5: Whip Catch
05:57 Trick #6: Lollipop
06:41 Trick #7: Elbow
07:10 Trick #8: Finger Grind
07:46 Trick #9: Stick Grinds
Chinese Yoyo Slides ~ Ethan Ku
Fun Facts
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The size of the Chinese Yoyo + number of holes is what gives the yoyo a different pitch/whistle as it spins.
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The Chinese Yoyo is the second oldest toy after the doll
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French engineer Gustave Philippart first developed the modern-diabolo in 1906, making the axle from scrap metal and the spools from cut out old tires!
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The term “diabolo” is actually derived from the Greek “dia bollo”, which translates to “across throw” and was originally invented by Gustave Philippart.
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The Chinese Yoyo makes whistling or buzzing sounds, which symbolizes the awakening of spring.