The structure of traditional bow

Most arrows have needles, which is different from the sleeved arrows popular in Europe. There are different explanations, and some historians point out that it is self-defense. If the arrow is only inserted in the shaft, it will reduce the ability of the shaft to absorb the impact force, and the shaft will break easily, so the archer can prevent the opponent from hitting back with his own arrow. However, materials suitable for making arrow shafts are scarce on the grassland, and nomads are unlikely to waste a lot of arrows for self-defense.

A more reasonable explanation is that this method of making arrows is not only simple, but also takes a short time, which is very beneficial to nomadic people with little manpower and material resources.

Arrow shafts are usually made of reed stalks or bamboo, and birch and dogwood are also materials for making arrow shafts. Arrow feathers will be made of waterfowl feathers, such as goose and duck feathers are excellent materials. The shaft has two or four feathers, which makes the arrow fly more stably. Archers in skeat will combine the bow bag with the reed. This bag is called gorytos. There is a bag in front of Gorytos, which is specially used for putting arrows. Archers in skeat hung Gretos on their belts with hooks. This design was adopted by the early sarma people.

As the later bows became longer and longer, Goritos became unbearable, and the Xiongnu, Yaba, Turkic and Mongolian archers separated the bow bag from the arrow. They usually put the bow bag on the left and the arrow on the right. There are two ways for archers to place bow bags and arrows. One is to hang the bow bag and arrow on the belt, and the other is to hang the bow bag and arrow on the shoulder with the belt.