When the Olympic movement began in the 1890s, Not all Olympic sports at the time were as accepting of women in this field.
One of the first sports to permit women to compete was Archery.
Regarding competition, Archery has long been praised for its gender equality. Women have presumed an equal role in the competition, especially in recent times.
Some have speculated that one reason why Archery was viewed favorably by women was because they could compete while wearing dresses.
While it's said that the bow and arrow stood as a symbol of power for warriors and kings in ancient civilizations, it's highly debatable because it wasn't 'just' a symbol of masculinity.
According to the Ancient Roman myths about Artemis and Diana, the symbol features a woman hunting with a bow.
Archery was first practiced by The Royalty across Europe, as they began taking up archery as a sport in the Late Middle era.
In the 18th century, target archery spread rapidly throughout England.
Moreover, it was a sport where women could flaunt their marriageability and wear the extensive clothing trends of the day.
The connection between archery and womanhood
Archery and motherhood require patience, persistence, and passion. For centuries, women have used bows for war, sport, and for providing food for their families.
Ancient civilizations celebrated goddesses who had strong ties to archery and womanhood. Today, competitive archers and famous bowhunters demonstrate that women can achieve anything they set their minds to.
Let's look at some famous females who prove that women and bows fit together perfectly:
1. Artemis
Artemis is the Greek goddess of hunting. Artemis and her brother Apollo are the Greek gods who presented archery to the world.
After Zeus, she was perhaps the most revered of the Greek Gods and has been evidenced at numerous places of worship in ancient Greece.
Most of these locations, including her once-glorious temple at Ephesus, featured statues of the goddess holding her silver Cyclops-made bow and her hunting dogs.
2. The Amazons
The Amazons were a warrior women's tribe, many of whom were gifted hunters and archers.
They are said to be the daughters of the Greek war god Ares, but many archeological discoveries show that they were real women who fought alongside Greeks in a less romanticized depiction of the Trojan War.
3. The Durga
The Hindu god of wind, Vayu, bestowed a bow and arrow on a revered Hindu warrior-goddess named Durga.
In most archeological depictions, she is depicted as a fierce protector of humanity, fighting demons with a calm face.
Her bow represents autonomy and self-sufficiency, and her arrows represent being directed toward our goals.
4. Katniss Everdeen
Katniss is undoubtedly the most popular female fiction archer today, embodying the character from the book "The Hunger Games."
During her initial adventures, she uses a basic longbow, then switches to a more advanced recurve bow, which the male Greek God Apollo also uses.
Best compound bows for women
The line between His and Hers has become so cluttered in recent years that there is no substantive difference between many products or services.
The battle of the gender has evolved into a rather unconventional truce of subtle differences and ragged edges, from clothing to bathrooms and everything in between.
But is there a distinction between a man's and a woman's Archery?
If you're a woman, there are a few aspects that need to be kept in mind when selecting a bow that we have already done for you while listing down our top 3 bows that will be perfect for women to work with.
If you are not satisfied with these three choices yet, check out this list that includes more and suitable options!
1. Diamond Archery Infinite Edge Pro Bow Package
The draw is comfortable and smooth, lacking the 'snap' of some of the more aggressive bows.
The adjustments are simple, and the wide range of draw weight will maintain this bow, making it a fine bow for any woman, beginner, or experienced.
2. Genesis Original Kit
The overall appearance and feel are exactly what you would expect from a NASP® official bow (National Archery in the Schools Program). It's a simple, no-frills bow for beginners.
The wide draw range and light draw weight are ideal for male and female learners of all ages, and adjustments are simple.
The single cam design is excellent for the price, and the deflex riser design is the cherry on top.
3. Sanlida Archery 2021 Dragon X8 Hunting
Another bow that bridges the gap between a beginner and intermediate archer is the Sanlida Dragon.
This bow outlines a wide range of draw length and weight, allowing users to advance without changing bows, and the 70-pound draw weight could easily result in a first hit drop.
It's a decent-looking bow bound to appeal to the intended audience. The weight and speed make it a strong contender for a women's intermediate bow.
Conclusion
If you're considering making a serious purchase, then any bow that meets the technical requirements for draw length and feels comfortable when gripped and drawn will work nicely. It does not have to be branded and marketed as a female bow.
However, there are certainly gender-specific options available among the bows we've listed. Just don't get distracted by the marketing gimmicks or the dazzling colors.
