Introduction of Chinese Dances
Chinese dances are mainly divided into two groups: Chinese ethnic & folk dances and Chinese classical (traditional) dances. Chinese folk dances include many different styles as there are fifty-six different ethnic groups in Chinese territory and each of them has their own dance style. The same group may have a large variety of different dance styles due to geographical differences. Chinese classical dances are ancient traditional Chinese dances and there are many different styles due to the five thousand years history and over ten different dynasties. Sometimes it is easy to tell the difference of each type by the costumes, props used and the music. Most classical dances are remade within the last century with reference to historic books and paintings. Nowadays some modern Chinese dancers also try to add Chinese dance elements into ballet and modern contemporary dance and there are some great successes of the composition.
Chinese Classical Dance
<Ta Ge> Chinese classical dance of Han Dynasty |
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‘Ta Ge’ literally means ‘tapping with the song’. The dance involves tapping the ground with feet rhythmically. The mixture of singing and dancing is an ancient popular form of dance from royal families to the peasants. The original dance form in Han Group area has been lost nowadays, whilst some rural minority group areas still have it. This dance is made in a style of Wei, Jin Dynasty and Nan Chao period (220-589 BC) in ancient Han River and Qin Huai areas referencing some dance paintings from cultural relic. These young girls wave the long sleeves and dance airily with the elegant ancient love song. |
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<Chu> Chinese classical dance of CHU Dynasty |
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Dance "Chu " comes from "Han Fei Zi ", Which is a book written by Han Feizi at the end of the Warring States Period in ancient China:’ The King of Chu prefers tiny waists, therefore many people starved to death in the palace.’
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| < Perfect conjugal bliss > Chinese Classical dance of Qing Dynasty | |
Perfect conjugal bliss in Chinese means the flowers are blooming, the moon is plenitude, which is a metaphor of perfect happiness. |
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| < The Grand Mansion > Chinese Classical dance | |
The Grand Mansion, is a dazzling piece of ballet, Chinese classical and folk dance. Combining the ballet style dancing with Chinese art elements, the result is spectacular: dancing of exquisite grace, and the poignancy of the dance spirit itself which makes dramatic narrative and visual brilliance powerfully serve each other
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| <Celestial Melody> Chinese Classical DunHuang dance | |
The dance features the Flying Apsaras play the Heavenly Music. Dancers dance with the traditional music instruments imitating those on frescoes from Mogao Grottoes, such as harp, bamboo flute and zither. It aims to present the audience a panoramic view of Dunhuang art. |
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| <Cursive> Chinese Traditional dance | |
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Chinese Minorities Ethnic Dance
< Exquisite Huadan> SiChuan Opera Dance |
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`Huadan’ is the name for the role of naughty young girl in Chinese Opera. Sichuan Opera is a symbolism of Sichuan province in the southwest in China. This dance collaborates with Sichuan Opera from the music to the costume, showing the training scenes of these young girls who are Sichuan Opera actresses. The extravagant head wear which includes a long feather is a very special aspect of this dance. It moves from side to side when the actress shakes her head in the dance. |
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<Chili Girls> Han Group Dance |
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Han Group is the main ethnic group in China. Handkerchiefs are typical Han Group dance props. These girls like eating spicy red chillis and they are hot in personalities. They are Chili Girls! |
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<Love song of Kang ding> Tibet Group Dance |
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Kangding is the political and cultural centre of the Kangba area since ancient time. There are bazaars of tea and horses between Han group and Tibetans, and more importantly, love song contests are held here every year where young people can meet and find their lovers. Boys normally give out keepsakes to the girls who catch their eyes. Girls accept it if they like the boys. This dance shows a group of Tibetan girls coming to the bazaar and luckily one of them finds her favorite voice.
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| <Mouchu Canzonet> Man Group Dance | |
‘Mouchu Canzonet’ is a Man group dance presenting the imperial court custom of Qing dynasty. The idea of dance comes form the daily life of ladies-in-waiting. Following the cantabile Beijing style music, the dancers wearing the special shoes of Qing – ‘flowerpot sole’ shoes, and magnificent court dresses, represent the old-timey charm. The dance recurs the convenance and life of Qing palace. |
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| <Flying peacock> Dai group Dance | |
Gentle as wind, Flying Peacock symbolizes a peacock in appearance. But it is obviously different from the common peacock dances of the Dai ethnic minority. The dance imitates the peacock's image of "standing erect against the wind", "jumping and spinning "and" flying with wings fully open", but far exceeding these basic images. The piece demonstrates the integration of the soul and body of a dancing "peacock".
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| <Bluish Waves> Dai group Dance | |
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Chinese Comtemporary Dance
<Rea fans> Contemporary Han Group dance |
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Fans are always used as props in traditional Han Group dance. This dance is a modern contemporary dance with essential Chinese Han Group dance elements. The song is a traditional Chinese song--Fengyang (name of a place) Huagu (name of a kind of tambourine, also used as the form of dance), but it is played by orchestra. It gives a twist of traditional Chinese folk art and Western modern performing form. Red fans flying gives a very special visual effect in this dance. |
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Others
<Raise the red lantern> – Ballet |
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This piece takes from the same name ballet of National Ballet of China, tells a tragedy happened in last century 20's. A young lady compelled to be married as the third wife of her husband. This section represents the sorrow of her when she saw the symbol of her marriage -- red lantern rising. Two ballerina act the fighting between the cruel fact and the her desire of freedom. This is a modern dance with a rich Chinese nationality characteristic. |
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30/Dec/2010 last updated














