Acrobatics (from Greek akrobate, "walk on tiptoe, strut"[1]) is the performance of

extraordinary human feats of balance, agility, and motor coordination. It can be found in many of
the performing arts, sports (sporting) events, and martial arts. Acrobatics is most often associated
with activities that make extensive use of gymnastic elements, such as acro dance, circus,
and gymnastics, but many other athletic activities such as ballet and diving may also employ
acrobatics. Although acrobatics is most commonly associated with human body performance, it may
also apply to other types of performance, such as aerobatics.

Contents
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1History
2Types
o 2.1Aerial
o 2.2Other
3See also
4References
5External links

History[edit]

A female acrobat depicted on an Ancient Greek hydria, c. 340-330 BC.

Female acrobat shooting an arrow with a bow in her feet; Gnathia style pelikaipottery; 4th century BC
Acrobatic traditions are found in many cultures, and there is evidence that the earliest such traditions
occurred thousands of years ago. For example, Minoan art from c. 2000 BC contains depictions
of acrobatic feats on the backs of bulls. Ancient Greeks and Romanspracticed acrobatics[citation needed],
and the noble court displays of the European Middle Ages would often include acrobatic
performances that included juggling[citation needed].
In China, acrobatics have been a part of the culture since the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD
220). Acrobatics were part of village harvest festivals.[2] During the Tang Dynasty, acrobatics saw
much the same sort of development as European acrobatics saw during the Middle Ages, with court
displays during the 7th through 10th century dominating the practice.[3] Acrobatics continues to be an
important part of modern Chinese variety art.
Though the term initially applied to tightrope walking[citation needed], in the 19th century, a form of
performance art including circus acts began to use the term as well. In the late 19th century,
tumbling and other acrobatic and gymnastic activities became competitive sport in Europe.
Acrobatics has often served as a subject for fine art. Examples of this are paintings such
as Acrobats at the Cirque Fernando (Francisca and Angelina Wartenberg) by Impressionist Pierre-
Auguste Renoir, which depicts two German acrobatic sisters, and Acrobats in a Paris
suburb by Viktor Vasnetsov.

Types[edit]