Collected Illustrations of the Three Powers: Implements

Yak-Tail Dance

original: 旄舞 (Máo Wǔ)

In the music of Getian-shi a legendary prehistoric ruler of a utopian clan in ancient Chinese mythology, three people would hold yak tails while singing eight stanzas. The term Mao original: 旄 refers specifically to the tail of a yak.

Shield Dance

original: 干舞 (Gàn Wǔ)

The chapter "The Single Victim at the Border Sacrifice" original: 郊特牲 (Jiào Tè Shēng) from the Book of Rites states: "Red shields decorated with tin ornaments are used, and the dancers wear ceremonial caps to perform the Great Martial Dance original: 大武 (Dà Wǔ), a dance commemorating the military victory of King Wu of Zhou." The chapter "A Summary of Sacrifices" original: 祭統 (Jì Tǒng) says: "When it is time for the dance, the ruler himself holds the shield and battle-axe Ganqi and takes his position in the dance formation."

Thus, the shield original: 干 (gàn) is a weapon of self-defense; it is not a tool for attacking others. Using it in dance demonstrates the presence of martial preparedness. It is used in sacrifices to the mountains and rivers because the shield embodies the virtues of providing barriers, fortification, defense, and protection symbolizing how mountains and rivers act as natural defenses for a kingdom.

Human Dance

original: 人舞 (Rén Wǔ)

While other dances use shields, axes, feathers, or yak tails as ornaments, the Human Dance relies on the movements and steps of the feet to create its form. Both the Record of Music original: 樂記 (Yuè Jì) and the Music Master original: 樂師 (Yuèshī) agree that the human...