A 'quiver' is a container for
arrows,
crossbow bolts or
darts, such as those shot from a
bow,
crossbow or
blowgun. Quivers have different forms depending on their use: quivers may hang from an
archer's
belt, from a
horse saddle, or be worn on the back. Sometimes, particularly in those that hang on a saddle, the quiver has a compartment for holding the bow itself. Many quivers have lids to protect the arrows from rain, which can ruin the arrows' glue attaching the
fletching.
Quivers appear in all cultures that use bow and arrow. One certain archaeological evidence is
Ötzi the Iceman, the
Chalcolithic man found in the Alps.
Quivers were not always employed by travelers in warfare, as a large number of arrows would often be supplied to groups of archers and stuck in the ground for more rapid shooting.
Traditional quivers used in medieval times were made of leather and canvas, these forms are still used in re-enactment events. Modern quivers are more suited to modern arrows and shooting styles, they are normally made of plastic with multiple compartments for the arrows and tools an archer would need while shooting.