THE BOY PLAYING WITH YO-YO SHOWN ON ANCIENT GREEK POTTERY

 

The very first depiction of a yo-yo anywhere in the world is found n an ancient Greek vase from the 5th century BC where a boy can be seen playing with the timeless toy.

The yo-yo is the second oldest known toy, after dolls according to historians. Its origin is paced in China after a toy known as the diabolo.

From China the yo-yo traveled to ancient Greece. Through time it became popular all over the world. In ancient Greece, Yo-yos were made out of wood, terracotta, metal, and clay. 

It is believed that in ancient Greek society the toy was used as an offering to the gods. Some also believe as a coming-of-age ritual for boys.  

These ancient toys were often decorated with pictures of Greek gods. As children began to enter adulthood in antiquity. it became a tradition to place their yo-yos on the family altar to pay homage as a rite of passage.   

The vase depicting the boy playing with the toy, dating back to 440 BC is exhibited in the National Archaeological Museum in Athens along with fragments and a disc of the popular toy,