In ancient China, a bronze vessel hailed as the earliest known sports trophy stands as a testament to victory and a precious record of competitive spirit: the Zuo Bo Gui. Dating back to the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046–771 BCE), this artifact commemorates the triumph of Zuo Bo in an archery competition. Discovered in 1993 at the Ying State Cemetery in Pingdingshan City, Henan Province, the Zuo Bo Gui is now housed in the Henan Museum.
Named after its owner, Zuo Bo, this vessel stands 16.5 cm tall and weighs 2.15 kg. Its unique design features a circular open mouth, a short inward-curving neck, and handles shaped like dragon heads on either side of the belly, resting atop a trumpet-shaped base. Adorned with intricate patterns, the Zuo Bo Gui exudes solemnity and ceremonial grandeur, immortalizing the significance of its victory.
Inside the vessel, 74 characters are inscribed, recounting Zuo Bo’s legendary achievement. The text reveals that on the morning of the Gengshen day in the eighth lunar month, King Zhou hosted a grand Da She Li (Great Archery Ceremony) in Haojing (modern-day Xi’an). Ten red copper plates were offered as prizes, with the king declaring: "Act with humility and focus. The one who hits the target most shall claim the reward." Zuo Bo emerged victorious, hitting all ten targets flawlessly. King Zhou himself awarded him the prize.
To commemorate this triumph, Zuo Bo melted the copper plates into this ceremonial vessel, etching his story into history. This act not only celebrated personal glory but also preserved ancient China’s reverence for sportsmanship and tradition.
Archery competitions in ancient China, collectively called She Li, took diverse forms. The Da She Li preceded royal sacrificial rites, while Bin She marked diplomatic meetings between nobles. Casual Yan She and folk Xiang She were recreational variants. Each ritual followed distinct protocols, using specialized bows and targets, reflecting profound cultural values.
From the Zuo Bo Gui to modern TCG tournaments, this history highlights China’s enduring respect for competition. Every TCG match today echoes this legacy—a blend of tradition and self-improvement. As the Zuo Bo Gui continues to shine as an ancient symbol of excellence, we too strive to become better versions of ourselves. This is its timeless story.
Now, we have integrated this ancient glory into our deck box. When you pick up this deck box, it seems that you can feel the glory and pride of the champions in the Western Zhou Dynasty. It is not just a deck box, but also a bridge connecting the competitive spirit of ancient and modern times.
In the competitive arena of TCG, our deck box accompanies you to charge forward. It is sturdy and durable and can protect your precious cards, so that you have no worries in the fierce competition. Its unique design not only shows the heaviness of history but also is full of modern fashion.
Whether it's a casual battle with friends or participating in a tense and fierce competition, this ZUO BO GUI deck box is definitely your best partner.
Let's inherit the glory of ZUO BO GUI of the Western Zhou Dynasty together in the world of TCG and write our own competitive legend!