The Chinese fan and its accompanying dance are cultural staples to this day. Representing skill, beauty and tradition, the Chinese Fan Dance has a long and treasured history in China.
Significance
Many Chinese fan dances began as ceremonial rituals, and while the traditional dance movements haven't changed, the uses of the dance have. Fan dances are currently a representation of beauty, grace, skill, tradition and history. Fan dances can still be used at ceremonies and Chinese celebrations (such as the Chinese New Year) and have even transformed into unique modern workouts.
The Fan
The history of the Chinese fan dates back approximately 4,000 years. It was originally used as shelter from the sun and a shield to blowing sand. Since its beginning, hundreds of types of fans have developed, including folding, feather and silk. China, known as "the kingdom of fans," has historically sold its product to Japan, Europe and the Americas. The fans were, and still are, created using materials such as bamboo, ivory, jade, bird feathers, plant leaves and various others.
Dance
The history of Chinese dance can be traced back to the fourth millennium B.C. with the Neolithic Yangshao culture. About three millennium later, the Chinese developed two types of dance, those being civilian and military. To this day, every aboriginal or minority group in China has its own form of dancing.
Types
There are at least three types of Chinese dance. Traditional Chinese dance includes numerous fan dances, as well as a sword dance and dragon dance. Chinese folk dance involves the dances of minority and aboriginal Chinese groups. Chinese modern dance is an art form involving live music and movement.
Facts
The Chinese word for dance is "ou." Chinese dance became ritual in ceremonies around 2255 B.C. with the help of Emperor Shun. Chinese dance tends to focus on hand posture, having obvious masculine and feminine dance techniques.
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