Arrow
- This is an article about the projectile; see Arrow (disambiguation) for other meanings.
An arrow is a pointed projectile that is shot with a bow. It predates history and is common to most cultures.
An arrow consists of a long and thin shaft made formerly of wood and now also from aluminum or carbon fiber matrix. It is pointed or armed with an arrowhead at one end and with a notch in the other. Arrowheads fit hunting and military purpose better than a mere point, which is mostly useful for target-shooting. Near the notch end are vanes which keep the arrow pointed in the direction of travel. There are often three vanes but many fletchings have four or even more. They were originally made from feathers but are now often made of plastic.
To shoot an arrow with a conventional (long) bow, place the string of the bow in the notch of the arrow, rest the shaft of the arrow against the body of the bow (on its right side if you are right-handed), if there are an odd number of vanes be sure that the arrow is oriented so that one vane is directly opposite the body of the bow, pull back on the string, and let go. Right-handed people hold the bow with their left hand, have their left side facing the target, sight along the arrow (towards the target) with their left eye, and handle the arrow and string with their right hand. The left wrist should be bent outward so that the returning string doesn't scrape the inside of the wrist or catch on a wrist-guard.
Arrows are often used as a pointing symbol.
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