Which type of bow has limbs that curve away from the belly of the bow?

The recurve bow has limbs that curve away from the belly or the side of the bow facing the archer. This design allows the limbs to store more energy and deliver it more efficiently when the bow is drawn and released. The unique shape of the limbs helps increase the bow's power and speed, making it preferable for various types of archery, including target shooting and hunting.

In contrast, a longbow typically has straight limbs that don't curve away from the archer, resulting in a more traditional and simpler design. The compound bow, on the other hand, utilizes a system of pulleys or cams to improve force and accuracy but does not feature limbs that curve away from the belly in the same way as a recurve bow does. The crossbow has a different mechanism altogether, with a horizontal bow mounted on a stock, which does not exhibit the limb curvature characteristic of a recurve bow.