Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms, Volume 73

Whenever performing the Civil Dancesoriginal: "Wenwu" (文舞); ritual dances characterized by graceful movements, symbolizing the civil virtues of the ruler.—specifically the Gate of Clouds original: "Yunmen" (雲門); the dance attributed to the Yellow Emperor. and the Pool of Harmony original: "Xianchi" (咸池); the dance attributed to Emperor Yao.—the great stone chimes are positioned to the left of the Eastern Steps original: "Zuojie" (阼階); the steps used by the host or the Emperor..

The Military Dancesoriginal: "Wuwu" (武舞); dances characterized by vigorous, martial movements, symbolizing the conquest of disorder.—specifically the Great Xia original: "Daxia" (大夏); attributed to Yu the Great, the Great Harvest original: "Dahuo" (大濩); attributed to Tang of Shang, and the Great Martial original: "Dawu" (大武); attributed to King Wu of Zhou—are performed to the right of the Guest Steps original: "Binjie" (賓階); the western steps used by guests..

The performers are arranged in six rows. When performing these brilliant ancient melodies, each section has four "markers" original: "Biao" (表); physical posts or signs used to guide the dancers' positions.. Each marker is spaced four paces apart to form the coordinated formation original: "Duzhui" (都綴). Each group consists of sixty-four dancers; in total, three hundred and eighty-four people are employed. This is why it is necessary to summon the sons of the nobility original: "Zhuzi" (諸子) to provide enough performers.

Music, when perceived by the ear, is sound; when perceived by the eye, it is form. Only when one listens to the sound and moves the form accordingly will the rhythm be without error. Therefore, when the former kings established the dances, they were careful to harmonize them with the singing.

One song cycle constitutes one variation original: "Bian" (變); a movement or section of the dance. of the dance. Six variations utilize the "Six" dances, while nine variations utilize the "Nine." However, the resonance of the voice can be heard but not seen. Therefore, the feathers and flutesoriginal: "Yu" (羽) and "Yue" (籥); the ritual implements held during Civil Dances. and the shields and axesoriginal: "Gan" (干) and "Qi" (戚); the ritual weapons held during Military Dances. are used to manifest the external form.

Spirited movements and vigorous stamping original: "Fayang Daoli" (發揚蹈厲); a specific term describing the energetic choreography of the military dances. are used to reveal the inner intent. Essentially, the strength of the dancers' muscles and bones is used to meet the rhythm of the bells, drums, and hand-claps. This all depends on the clarity of the ears and eyes and the sharpness of the mind. By balancing the length of the sounds and matching the speed of the dance, the sound and the form become harmonious. When the beginning and end have an orderly sequence, the Six Ritual Musics original: "Liuyue" (六樂) are then complete. Indeed, music possesses...