Chinese dance refers to traditional Chinese dances, which have a history dating back over five thousand years when primitive dances first emerged in China. Today, Chinese dance is primarily divided into two main categories: classical dance and folk dance.
Classical dance includes court dances as well as dances performed at banquets for nobles and scholars. Based on their functions, classical dances can be further categorized into “elegant dances” and “miscellaneous dances.” Elegant dances were used for national ceremonies and rituals, serving as ceremonial dances, while miscellaneous dances were intended for entertainment.
Folk dance, on the other hand, originates from the common people and encompasses a variety of forms, including ritual dances associated with folk beliefs, festival dances, and everyday recreational dances.