Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms, Volume 73

This is the beating of the drums original: "bo gu" (播鼓); the rhythmic signal that initiates and guides the movement to lead the dance. From the first southern marker original: "biao" (表); a post or station used to guide the dancers' positions to the second marker constitutes the first completion original: "yi cheng" (一成); a completed sequence or section of the ritual music and dance. Advancing to the third marker is the second completion, and reaching the fourth marker is the third completion.

The dancers then turn their bodies and walk backward to the third marker, which is the fourth completion. Returning to the second marker is the fifth completion, and returning once more to the first southern marker is the sixth completion.

When the five completions become five variations, then the five objects and the five terrestrial manifestations original: "wu wu wu shi" (五物五示); referring to categories of sacrificial animals and spirits of the soil can be summoned. When the six completions become six variations, then the symbolic creatures and the celestial gods can be summoned.

Turning again from the southern end toward the north, reaching the second marker is the seventh completion. Moving from the second to the third marker is the eight completion, at which point the spirits of the earth original: "di qi" (地祗); the gods of the mountains, rivers, and land all emerge. Finally, moving from the third to the northernmost marker is the ninth completion, and then the human spirits original: "ren gui" (人鬼); the ancestral spirits of deceased humans all arrive.

As for the Military Dance original: "Wuwu" (武舞), the performers wear leather ritual caps WeibianA cap made of deer hide, symbolizing the ancient attire of warriors and officials.. In their left hands, they hold the shield, and in their right, they hold the halberd original: "gan" (干) and "ge" (戈); the classic weapons of the Chinese Bronze Age. They are also divided into eight rows original: "ba yi" (八佾); a formation of 64 dancers reserved for the highest state rituals in front of the southern marker.

Two musicians holding banners stand at the front. Those holding large hand-bells DuoA large bronze bell with a clapper used to command the dancers or troops. flank them on the left and right, shaking them to signal movement. They strike the drums, harmonizing them with the bronze chun bells original: "jin chun" (金錞); a cylinder-shaped bronze percussion instrument, and regulating the rhythm with the bronze zhuo bells original: "jin zhuo" (金鐲); small bells used to pace the steps.

From the first to the sixth completion, the movements are the same as the Civil Dance. However, at its conclusion, the dance takes the form of soldiers returning and the army withdrawing original: "zhen lü" (振旅). They cease using the zhuo bells and instead sound the clapperless nao bells original: "ming nao" (鳴鐃); bronze bells used in a military context to signal the drums to stop.