History of ancient dance in Zhou dynasty

Dance, usually accompanied by music, is an art form with rhythmic movement as the main means of expression. It is a kind of etiquette for ancient courtiers to make certain dance gestures when they worship the emperor. An art form characterized by rhythmic movement, usually accompanied by music. What was the situation in the Zhou Dynasty? I have compiled the knowledge about the history of ancient dance in Zhou Dynasty for you, hoping it will be useful to you.

History of ancient dance in Zhou dynasty

The Supreme Ruling Group of the Zhou Dynasty attached importance to music and dance sacrifices just like the monarchs of the Shang Dynasty, instead of just giving full play to music and dance? Telepathy? And pay more attention to music and dance? Governing the people? Function, give full play to the social function of music and dance.

According to legend, when Zhou Wuwang attacked, the army camped in Shangqiu. Foot soldiers? Dance in front of the song? Stay up all night. It is also said that cutting Zhou has won the support of the Pakistanis. Ba people used song and dance to frighten the enemy, which was the Bayu dance in the late Han Dynasty.

After the establishment of the Zhou Dynasty, in order to consolidate the victory and strengthen the control of the enfeoffment king, a set of laws and regulations were formulated from politics to culture.

The history book says? Duke Zhou's ceremony and joy? . It is said that it was hosted by Zhou Gongdan. Is that clear? Patriarchy? The blood relationship was used to control the princes below the Zhou Emperor, and a hierarchical hierarchy of emperor, minister, minister, doctor and scholar was established. The combination of patriarchal clan system and hierarchical system has formed a complete and strict etiquette system, such as monarch and minister, superiors and subordinates, father and son, brothers, intimacy and inferiority. In order to embody and consolidate the etiquette system, Duke Zhou presided over the formulation of a set of music and dance system for going out to war, joining the League, catering, wedding and funeral services.

From Duke Zhou? Rites and music system? At first, music and dance were considered as? Carrying the road? Means to play a political role. Dance is included? Yala? System, become? Ritual therapy? 、? Ji Le? Tools. Rulers use music and dance to discipline merits, worship gods, become civilized and help others. ? Dance like a job? 、? Dance like a virtue? This has become the purpose of yarraa.

In the early years of the Zhou Dynasty, on the basis of absorbing the cultural thoughts of the Shang Dynasty, the music and dance heritages of the previous generation, such as Yunmen, Zhangda, Dashao, Daxie, etc., were centralized and sorted out, and Dawu was newly created, which was collectively called the music and dance of the Six Dynasties.

"Six Dances", also known as "Six Dances", is the music and dance of Ji Gongde. Cloud Gate praises the Yellow Emperor? Do what the world says? Eulogize Yao's great virtue, the younger eulogize Shun's rule of virtue, the great heroes eulogize Yu's contribution to water control, the great filial piety eulogize Tang's destruction and save the people, and the great contribution of Dawu's destruction of commerce. Every music and dance has a clear theme, which is to commend the achievements of an enlightened king.

The dances of these six sets of music and dance can be divided into two categories. The first four belong to Wen dance, and the last two belong to Wu dance. When dancing, the dancer has an instrument in his hand? Hey? (playing the flute) and bird hair? Hey? . In martial arts, dancers hold a shaft (shield) and an axe in their hands.

So-called? Words? It means ruling the country by virtue. Wu? It means taking the world by force. The props held by dancers, such as Qiu, Zhai, Gan and Qi, all have symbolic meanings, and every movement of the dance also has specific symbolic meanings.

Did the Six Dynasties Dance come from the Zhou Dynasty? Yala? The performance ceremony was grand. The melody played and the gods sacrificed are customized: when dancing "Cloud Gate", play the yellow bell, sing songs and worship the gods; When dancing "Zhang Da", there are too many clusters, and the song has to ring the bell to worship the ground; When I danced "Less", I played Gu Xi, sang Lu Nan and looked around. When I danced "Summer", I played the guest of [Ruiwa], singing songs, ringing bells and offering sacrifices to mountains and rivers; When jumping "big □", play easily, sing and enjoy the first step [Bibi]; When dancing "Da Wu", you can sacrifice your ancestors with songs and bells without shooting bullets.

There are five kinds of music and dances in the Six Dynasties, and only the martial arts were created by Zhou people. This is a music and dance with a distinct political tendency. Lu Chunqiu said that the author of Dawu was Duke Zhou. This piece of music and dance shows the great achievements of Wu Wang Shang Ke. During the performance, drums rumbled and the dance team stood in awe with all their weapons. Sing magnificent songs and start dancing in the form of war. The dance is divided into six parts: the first part shows sending troops, the second part shows destroying business, the third part describes pushing south, the fourth part shows pacifying the southern frontier, the fifth part praises the achievements of Duke Zhou and Zhao Gong, and the sixth part shows the high respect for Zhou Wuwang. The difference between the six dances is mainly the change of formation except the movements. Some of the lyrics sung during dancing are preserved in the Book of Songs? In Zhou Song.

In addition to the six generations of dances mentioned above, there are six kinds of small dances in the elegant music of the Zhou Dynasty, namely cloud dance, feather dance, emperor dance, dance, dry dance and human dance.

"Six Little Dances" are also sacrificial dances.

Dance is used to worship the country. Dancers dance with full feathers or colorful ribbons.

"Feather Dance" is used for offering sacrifices to ancestral temples. Dancers dance with colorful and scattered feathers. Said it was used to worship the quartet.

"Emperor Dance" is also called "?" It's a dance of praying for rain. Dancers wear bird feathers on their heads, their tops are decorated with jade feathers, and they also have colorful bird feathers in their hands.

"Wu Luo" is used to worship Biyong, and dancers hold yak tails. Some people say "Li".

"Dry dance" is used to worship mountains and rivers, and dancers hold shields.

"People Dance" worships the ancestral temple and the stars, and people dance with their bare hands.

In addition, there was an important martial dance "Elephant Dance" in the Zhou Dynasty, namely "Elephant Arrow". Arrow is a kind of bamboo pole. There is a saying that Yin people can drive elephants to fight. Duke Zhou defeated Yin people and used their elephant training dance to promote their martial arts.

All these elegant music were highly valued by the rulers of Zhou Dynasty. There is a strict grade limit on the number of dancers in the performance. At that time, the ranks of music and dance were called? Hey [Yiyi]? , eight people each. The music and dance of Tiandi were performed by a dance team of 64 people. Six princes, four doctors and two scholars. This kind of regulation embodies the etiquette system and must not be sloppy. A little carelessness and impoliteness is a great political mistake, even the crime of pass the parcel.

The Zhou Dynasty stipulated that the people who participated in these dance performances were all children of the royal family, and regarded these dances as children of nobles (so-called? Koko? ) a compulsory subject in education. Of course, as a common people? Barbarians? It is also necessary to learn etiquette and music. In attaching importance to music and dance, the Zhou Dynasty surpassed its predecessors.

Royal children 13 years old began to study? Small dance? /kloc-studying at the age of 0/5? Elephants dance? You didn't learn until you were 20? A big dance? And various ceremonies. Only by learning these music and dances can you become a variety of officials. The Zhou dynasty also established a special music and dance organization called? Dassler? Manage music and dance performances and be responsible for music and dance education.

The reason why the Zhou Dynasty attached so much importance to music and dance and music and dance education was entirely for cultural control. The rulers of the Zhou dynasty firmly believed this? Le? Can you talk to her? A gift? Complement each other. Early years of Zhou dynasty? Rites and music system? According to Confucius' explanation, the basic spirit is "doing"? Ren? . That is, crossing? Le? To control human feelings? A gift? Emphasize the national and clan identity within the scope of music and dance. Through the popularization of music and dance education, cultural identity can be realized. Therefore, Confucius admired the Six Dynasties Dance and Six Small Dances. Confucius saw a lot in Qi and thought it was perfect, but he was so happy that he didn't know the smell of meat in March. Confucius, a great educator, believes that music and dance education are necessary to make young people become talents and perfect people. Confucius said:? Prospering in poetry, standing in ceremony, and becoming happy. ? ("The Analects? In other words, to be a gentleman with perfect personality, you must learn poetry first, then etiquette, and the final accomplishment of moral cultivation must rely on music and dance. From The Analects of Confucius and The Book of Rites? We know that pre-Qin Confucianism attached great importance to the self-cultivation function of music and dance. They believe that through the influence of music and dance, people's mental outlook and sentiment will change, and they can become honest, kind, generous, serious, open-minded and ambitious. According to the melody and rhythm of Yasong, people can get rid of vulgar manners and sloppy behaviors in regular movements and postures and orderly formation changes, so as to keep pace and be dignified and decent. Gentle? This gentleman. Music and dance can not only improve personality, but also produce social effects of changing customs. Music and dance training can make people feel the majesty of kingship and rank, which helps? Takuji? . Then, among the Confucian educational subjects, music? (including music and dance) occupies a very important position.

Elegant music such as "Six Dynasties Dance" and "Six Little Dances" are not only used for sacrificial ceremonies, but also for banquets of nobles and princes. In the Warring States period, there were exquisite dance scenes on the bronze pot with the pattern of fishing, hunting and fighting. There were frequent diplomatic activities among the vassal States in the Zhou Dynasty. When receiving foreign guests or delegations, there are many elegant music and dances.

These? Yala? It is regarded as a classic by the rulers and called it. The joy of the late king? . For a long time, it has been used for offering sacrifices to ancestral temples, which fully embodies the special political purpose and religious color, and its form has become increasingly rigid and rigid, gradually losing its original vitality and artistic appeal.

Compared with elegant music, it is popular folk music, a song and dance that ordinary people participate in, also known as? Xinle? .

During the Zhou Dynasty, there were all kinds of lively songs and dances among the people. From some existing documents, we can calculate the various places of that year. Pop music? A lively scene. The Book of Songs? Martin has an article "Wan Qiu":

The child's soup is on the mountain. I am attracted to you, but I dare not hope.

The drums sounded and rolled on the ground. No matter the severe winter or the hot summer, the clean egret is in Yang's hands.

Knocking on the tile fou and dancing in the street. It's neither winter nor summer, is it worth it? Knife, knife.

According to the explanation of Gao Feng's annotation in The Book of Songs? Child's soup? what's up Soup? , that is? Swing? ; ? Hopeless? What? Hope? what's up Fame Prestige Translated into modern Chinese, it means:

Girl, girl, wiggle wiggle,

Dance and jump on Wanqiu.

Shake so affectionately,

Unfortunately, there is no good reputation.

Ding drumming way:

Let's dance under Wan Qiu.

Whether it is cold in winter or hot in summer,

Play heron feathers all year round.

Ding knocked on the hammer,

Jump and jump on Wanqiu Road.

Whether it is cold in winter or hot in summer,

Playing herons all year round? .

It is written that Chen people beat drums, hammer, hold herons, feathers and herons. When you have dance equipment, jump up in Wanqiu and the road. No matter whether it is cold or hot, the interest is very strong all year round. The Book of Songs? Martin also has an article "East Gate Tomb", which is also about dancing:

The East Gate is a symbol of Wanqiu. Zi Zhong's son, dancing under him.

The difference between the two is the origin of the South. If you don't do this, the city will dance.

The more you take care of Zong Zong when you die. Look at me like a bridge and let me hold the pepper.

Gao Feng's Notes on The Book of Songs? Hey? This is a pot. ? Mai? For a long journey. According to Gao Feng's explanation, translated into modern Chinese, that is:

White elm grows in the east gate,

Oaks grow in the autumn.

The girl from the middle school,

I like dancing under the tree.

Running away from home on a beautiful day,

Go for a walk on Nanyuan.

Just dancing,

I lost all my business.

Hide when the weather is good,

Take a rice cooker when you go out.

You are like a fudge to me,

You give me a cup of pepper

It is still the scene of Chen Guoren dancing in Wanqiu, and young men and women are ecstatic at the holidays. The capital of Chen State is now Huaiyang County, Henan Province. Wanqiu is located three miles south of the capital. Today, in the hometown of Huaiyang Wanqiu, there is still a grand festival song and dance rally on March 3 every year. At that time, people gathered, singing and dancing all day, and the grand occasion was vaguely in those days. There are many poems describing songs and dances in The Book of Songs. The Book of Songs compiled by Confucius is not only a lyric poem, but also a dance word. Mozi? Is there one in Meng Gong? 300 songs and 300 dances? Statement.

In the Zhou Dynasty, not only the people in the Central Plains had rich and vivid dances, but also the ethnic groups living in remote areas had rich and vivid dances. Four generations? There are all kinds of dance activities. For example, the bronze drums unearthed in Kaiyuan, Yunnan during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period are cast with images of Lusheng Dance, Ganqi Dance, Spear Dance, Feather Dance and other dances.

Pop music and elegant music all over the world, * * * together formed a splendid dance culture of Zhou Dynasty.

The Zhou Dynasty witnessed the vigorous development of music and dance in China. Not only the well-known Six Dynasties Dance and Six Small Dances have been consolidated in etiquette, but also the famous dances such as Chu Feng, Street Dance and Wan Dance with gorgeous costumes and spectacular scenes are also very popular at aristocratic banquets. In Henan, Anhui, Hubei, Hunan, Sichuan and other places, many musical and dance cultural relics from the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period have been unearthed. For example, the music and dance pictures of the Warring States period unearthed in Changsha, Hunan Province, the music and dance pictures of Chu lacquer and Jinse unearthed in Xinyang, Henan Province, and the music and dance pictures of the Yuanyang box unearthed in the tomb of Zeng Houyi, Suixian County, Hubei Province, all vividly show the dance scenes in the aristocratic banquets of that year.

Spring and Autumn Period and Warring States Period? Was the ceremony broken? . ? The joy of the late king? Gradually lose charm and authority. ? Xinle? Energetic has become an art for people to vent their feelings, which is welcomed by all walks of life. Music? An interesting thing is recorded in Wei Wenhou: Wei Wenhou asked Xia Zi:? I watch ancient music carefully, but I can't lift my spirits and am afraid of falling asleep. But, at the sight of something called? Kevin·Z's voice? New music, but not tired at all. May I ask why ancient music is like this? Why does Xinle have such an effect? Wei Wenhou's puzzling question reveals an important truth, that is, the art of music and dance can only produce great appeal if it is connected with the life and feelings of contemporary people. The vitality of colorful folk music and dance is here.

Lively folk songs and dances and professional geisha music active in aristocratic life formed the heyday of the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period? Xinle? . In the cultural and political life of the whole society, Xinle? It plays an important role in the development of music and dance art in later generations, and also has an influence that cannot be ignored.

The huge music and dance in the Zhou Dynasty trained a large number of professional musicians and dancers. They are called "advocating excellence" and "female music". Some places have become the hometown of famous song and dance artists. Often mentioned in ancient books? What about Zhao's daughter? . Historical records? The Biography of Huo Zhi says: Zhao's daughter is described as a piano player [[Xie] and a piano player [Yu Yu]. She has long sleeves and can't walk far. She doesn't choose young and old, she has money and money. ? That is, Zheng and Zhao's dancers, in order to make a living, dress up beautifully, take musical instruments, put on long-sleeved dance clothes and wear light shoes to travel all over the world. Sun Yat-sen is also famous for his song and dance artists handed down from generation to generation. Chu dance is even more famous. The waist of the king of Chu is very thin, and the dance of long-sleeved waist twisting by Chu dancers in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period is very representative, and its influence reached the Han Dynasty.

According to historical records, there have been some world-famous dancers in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. For example, a famous beauty in the history of China is a well-trained and outstanding dancer. Yan Zhaowang's two favorite women? Xuan Juan and Tie Ming are also excellent dancers. He is good at performing famous dances such as Floating Dust, Gathering Feathers and Rotating Cup. They can't leave footprints on the seats covered with four or five inches of fragrant crumbs, which shows that they are light. It is these dance artists who have elevated performing dance to a new height.

An Overview of the History of Ancient Dance in China

Simply put, dance is an art of human movements. However, this human movement must be refined, organized and beautified-dancing human movement. In addition, there are many kinds of arts that belong to the category of human movements, such as acrobatics, pantomime, human sculpture, rhythmic gymnastics and so on. Therefore, the main aspect that distinguishes dance from other human body movements is that it takes dance movements as the main artistic expression means, focusing on the subtle inner spiritual world of people, which is difficult to be expressed by language or other artistic expression means.

Exhausted emotions, profound thoughts, distinctive personalities, and conflicts between man and nature, man and society, and man and himself create vivid and perceptible dance images, so as to express the aesthetic feelings and ideals of dance choreographers (directors and dancers) and reflect the aesthetic attributes of life. In addition, due to the constant flow and change of human movements, it must exist in a certain space (stage or square) and within a certain time; In dance activities, there are usually music accompaniment, wearing specific costumes, and some dances have to hold various props. If you are performing on the stage, lighting and scenery are also indispensable. Therefore, it can also be said that dance is a plastic art with space, time and comprehensive dynamics.