The bow and arrow is a ranged weapon system that was used by mankind for many centuries before the invention of the firearm. However the bow and arrow is still occasionally used in modern warfare. The practice of using a bow and arrow is known as archery; an individual who uses a bow and arrow is an archer.
Design
The bow Is a firing device. A bow is crescent shaped and usually made of wood. Bows are made by a craftsman called a bowyer.
- A bow that is just made of wood is known as a self bow, or simple bow.
- A bow that is made of more than one material such as wood and sinew is known as a composite bow.
- A bow that can be disassembled for transportation is called a takedown bow.
- A bow with mechanical amplifiers to aid with drawing the bowstring is called a compound bow.
The bowstring joins both ends of the bow and is essential for firing the arrow. Bowstrings have been made of many materials throughout history, including fibers such as flax, silk, and hemp. The bowstring is made of steel wires in some compound bows.
An arrow is a projectile with a pointed tip and a long shaft. Towards the rear of the arrow there are fins, known as fletching; the purpose of the fletching is to stabilize the arrow. Also at the back of the arrow there is a notch, known as a nock; the nock is necessary for the arrow to contact the bowstring.
Operation
When an archer needs to shoot an arrow he must place an arrow across the middle of the bow with the bowstring in the arrow’s nock; then to fire an arrow he holds the bow at its center with one hand and draws the arrow and the bowstring with the other hand.
Archers store and carry their arrows in a container called a quiver. There is usually a strap attached to the quiver so an archer can wear it on his back.
History
The bow and arrow was a ranged weapon used by warriors around the world for hundreds of years before the firearm was accepted as a viable weapon. During medieval times many fortifications were built with arrowslits. An arrowslit is a narrow vertical opening in a fortification through which an archer can shoot arrows. Archers were hired to shoot invaders through the arrowslit. In Europe the bow and arrow became obsolete around the 16th Century as guns became more advanced. The bow and arrow was used in Asia longer than it was in Europe; guns replaced the bow and arrow in Japan during the mid 1500s to 1600.
Recreation
Even though archery has all but disappeared from the battlefield; it still exists today in the form of a recreational activity, and a competitive sport; Archers stand back several meters from the target, and shoot their arrows as close to the center of the target as possible. The target is a five-color object, consisting of 10 scoring zones in gold, red, blue, black and white rings.
Popular Culture
- Green Arrow is a fictional crime-fighting archer who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics.
- Hawkeye is a fictional archer appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
- Aloy is a fictional character featured in the video game “Horizon Zero Dawn” and its sequel “Horizon Forbidden West”. Aloy is an archer who fights machines that have grown hostile to humans.
