Chinese Dance: Classical, Folk, and the Art of Movement

Chinese traditional dance is one of the oldest and most diverse performance traditions in the world — from the ritual dances of ancient shamanic traditions to the sophisticated classical dances of the imperial court, from the folk dances of rice-paddy workers to the revolutionary ballets of the 20th century. Chinese dance combines athletic grace, narrative storytelling, and deep symbolic meaning.

Classical Chinese Dance

Chinese classical dance (中国古典舞) emerged in the 1950s as a deliberate reconstruction of ancient dance forms from Tang Dynasty murals, Han Dynasty stone reliefs, and classical Chinese opera. It combines the techniques of Chinese opera — acrobatics, mime, and symbolic movement — with Western ballet training.

Folk Dance

Chinese folk dances — the yangge (秧歌) of northern China, the wu (舞) of the southwest, the rain flower stick dance (花伞舞) — are performed at festivals and celebrations throughout the year. The dragon dance and lion dance are the most famous, performed for Chinese New Year and other occasions to bring luck and drive away evil spirits.