Sword Dance in China
Many believe that sword dancing evolved from the early Chinese art of wu shu. The simple martial art became a military training technique with swords and spears and then turned into an elaborate acrobatic dance. Sword dancing, often called jian wu, was one of four Chinese classical dances that were used in the famous Chinese opera. Each of these dances was very meaningful within the opera performances and they often were used for plot descriptions and characterization. Sword dancing also found a use in Chinese culture through communicating with the supernatural; sword dancing was done in an effort to communicate feelings to the dead spirits that may be disrupting a household.
- Styles of Chinese Sword Dancing
There are quite a few styles within the actual art of sword dancing. The first style of sword dancing focuses on relaxation and flexibility while the other style focuses on speed and strength. Besides there are different styles of sword dancing, there are also different types of swords and weapons used during each dance. A long sword is usually wielded with slower dramatic movements during a solo performance while shorter, scimitars are used at a very high pace during a sword dance between two or more people. Each style requires certain movements that require the dancer to be acrobatic and these skills shown by the dancers often entertained the crowd to a great extent.
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Famous quotes containing the words sword, dance and/or china:
“My sword I give to him that shall succeed me in my pilgrimage, and my courage and skill to him that can get it.”
—John Bunyan (1628–1688)
“Navajo men and boys have an odd way of showing their friendship. When two young men meet at the trading post, a “Sing”, or a dance they greet each other, inquire about the health of their respective families, then stand silently some ten or fifteen minutes while one feels the other’s arms, shoulders, and chest.”
—Administration in the State of Ariz, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)
“Anyone who tries to keep track of what is happening in China is going to end up by wearing all the skin of his left ear from twirling around on it.”
—Robert Benchley (1889–1945)