What Is the Origin of Puppets?

Everyone has pulled out a sock at some point in their childhood or taken a marker to their hands to make a puppet. Nowadays, it's even possible to create a full shadow puppetry performance in your living room with a children's book and a flashlight. It's unclear how long puppets have been in existence or where they originated. Each culture used some type of puppetry performance in their history. Puppets also have been referenced in ancient literature.

Legend

An Indian Hindu legend attributes the creation of the first puppet and puppeteer to Brahma, the creator. In the legend, Brahma banishes the puppeteer to Earth when his wife, Sarasvati, is more enthralled by the puppets than he expected or wanted her to be.

Ancient Texts

"The Ramayana," an ancient epic Indian poem from fourth century B.C, uses hand and shadow puppetry to tell the life of a king's son. The manuscript was discovered in the Sitabenga Cave in India by archaeologists.

Shadow Puppetry

Shadow puppetry originated more than 2,000 years ago in China. It began when a minister was inspired by shadows cast by children playing with dolls. He then created a puppet and performed for Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty.

Luminescent Theatre

In 1958, luminescent theatre was created in Czechoslovakia. Puppets were coated with paint and were illuminated underneath by ultraviolet lights for performances. The techniques was invented by Frantisek Tvrdek.

World Puppets

Clay figures attached and pulled by strings were used in Greece for rituals performed to honor Dionysus, the god of wine. Romans made puppets that were manipulated by a bar attached by strings. These puppets were called simulacra. Javanese puppets were made in East Asia, and consisted of a movable wooden head on a wooden stick.

References

• Let's Talk About Puppets
• Museum of Puppets
• International Puppetry Museum

Resources

• Shadow Puppetry
• Origin of Hand and Shadow Puppets