Dance in mythology and religion
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[edit] Classical Greek mythology
In a classical Greek song, Apollo, one of the twelve greater gods, the son of Zeus the chief god, and the god of medicine, music, and poetry, was called The Dancer. In a Greek line Zeus himself is represented as dancing. In Sparta, a province of ancient Greece, the law compelled parents to exercise their children in dancing from the age of five years. They were led by grown men, and sang hymns and songs as they danced. In very early times a Greek chorus, consisting of the whole population of the city, would meet in the market-place to offer up thanksgivings to the god of the country. Their jubilees were always attended with hymn-singing and dancing.
[edit] Dance in Holy Scriptures and Religious Communities
Dance has been used throught the ages as an emotional response. The Christian bible at times has condemned the reason for a particular dance (lust, greed, deception etc.); however, it does not condemn dancing itself. It is a matter of fact that the bible says there is a time to dance, refer to Ecclessiastes 3:4
[edit] References to dance in the Christian Bible
A Time to Dance:
Ecclessiastes 3:4
Social Dance in celebration of what God has done:
Exodus 15:20; Judges 21:21 - 23 (Caution: the behavior of the men as portrayed in this last reference is illegal in civilized countries today)
In celebration before the Lord:
2 Samuel 6:14-16; 1 Chronicles 15:29
Social dancing in celebration of a god:
Exodus 32:19; 1 Kings 18:26 (The act of celebrating a false god is condemned here)
A child's dance:
Judges 11:34; Job 21:11
Celebraton of warriors:
1 Samuel 18:6-7; 1 Samuel 21:11; 1 Samuel 29:5;
As an expression of happiness:
Psalm 30:11; Lamentations 5:15;
In Worship to the Lord:
Psalm 149:3; Psalm 150:4
Social Dance with Friends:
Luke 15:25; Jeremiah 31:4; Jeremiah 31:13
It's not favorable to be like those who do not dance:
Matthew 11:17
A Lovers Dance:
Song of Solomon 6:13
For the king:
Matthew 14:6 and Mark 6:22 (The reasons for this referenced dance is condemned throughout the bible; however, the dance itself is not. It includes greed and lust)
Tim Veach 04:50, 13 February 2007 (UTC) Christian Social Dance Association http://christiansocialdance.org
[edit] Contemporary Dance in Modern Christianity
Although some denominations and independent congregations prohibit social dancing, dance has always been a part of the social life of a Christian. In the 20th century Christian lyrics were found in the sounds of the Ballroom, Rock and Roll, Night Club, and Disco. Today Christians of all ages dance to the sounds of Contemporary Christian Music, refer to http://christiansocialdance.org
[edit] Traditonal Dance in Modern Christianity
Numorous examples of social dance can be found in modern Christian communities. The Brazillian dance/martial art of capoeira (particularly capoeira angola) is regularly performed--including between capoeiristas of different sexes--to lyrics and ladinhas praising God and the saints.
[edit] Dance in Islam & the Qur'an
- See also: Mevlevi
[edit] Dance in Hindu scriptures
From a Hindu point of view, the whole Universe is being brought into existence as the manifestation of the dance of the Supreme Dancer, Nataraja. In the Hindu scriptures, every god has his or her own style (lasya and tandava respectively represent two aspects of dance) we read about 23 celestial beings called Apsarases who dance to please the gods and express the supreme truths in the magic of movement.
The dance in the Hinduism used to be a part of a sacred temple ritual, especially in South and Eastern India, where the female priestesses devadasi's worshiped different aspects of the Divine through the elaborate language of mime and gestures. Natyashastra is the most ancient and the most elaborate scripture describing every element and aspect of this sacred art-worship.
The temple dance gradually evolved into what is known today as the South Indian Classical Dance that still preserves many ritualistic elements of Hinduism. Some of the classical Indian dancers are believed to be incarnations of apsaras.
[edit] See also
- Basic dance topics
- Ceremonial dance
