How to sword dance
Sword dance | Description, History, & Facts
Sword Dance of the Cutter's Guild
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- guerrilla dance rusalia crossed-sword dance broadsword dance hilt-and-point dance
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Summary
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sword dance, folk dance performed with swords or swordlike objects, displaying themes such as human and animal sacrifice for fertility, battle mime, and defense against evil spirits. There are several types. In linked-sword, or hilt-and-point, dances, performers hold the hilt of their own sword and the point of the sword of the dancer behind them, the group forming intricate, usually circular, patterns. Combat dances for one or more performers emphasize battle mime and originally served as military training. Crossed-sword dances are performed over two swords or a sword and scabbard crossed on the ground. Finally, guerrilla dances in circular formation are often performed with swords.
Hilt-and-point dances are widely distributed through Europe—e.g., in northern England, Basque territory, and Spain. They are often performed as part of a folk play. The plays are closely related to the English mummers plays and parallel the Greek folk play in Thrace. In the dance the swords are interlocked at one point, forming a “rose,” or “lock,” that is held aloft and placed around the neck of a performer in mock decapitation. Often the “beheaded” falls “dead,” to be revived by a “doctor,” a fool, a man-woman, or other character. The roots of these dances are in ancient vegetation rites of death and renewal, possibly in sacrifice of a leader to ensure fertility. Even today they are believed to bring luck or well-being.
Dances of stylized battle mime survive in modern Turkey (some with rifles replacing swords), in the dirk dance of Scottish Canada, in Borneo, and elsewhere. The pyrrhic dance of ancient Greece served as an exercise of military training until late antiquity, when it degenerated into popular professional entertainment.
The hassapikos, or butchers’ dance, of Turkey and ancient and modern Greece—now a communal social dance—was in the Middle Ages a battle mime with swords performed by the butchers’ guild, which adopted it from the military.
Crossed-sword dances are common in Europe (e.g., Scotland, the Balkans) and also appear in India, Borneo, and other areas. Characteristically, one or more dancers execute precise, complicated steps over and between the swords. The famed Scottish solo dance Gillie Callum, which is danced to a folk melody of the same name, is first mentioned only in the early 19th century. In its close relative, the English solo Bacca pipes jig, crossed clay pipes replace the swords. There are evidences that such dances formerly included swordplay. In the Scottish Argyll broadsword dance, the four performers flourish their swords before laying them on the ground, points touching, to form a cross. Possible ancient ritual meaning is suggested by the frequent belief that if a sword is touched, even lightly, the dance must be stopped.
Guerrilla dances survive particularly in the Balkans and Turkey, long afflicted by invading armies. Typically, they are in circular formation, beginning with the leaders whirling and making whiffling sounds with their swords. Improvised dance, often with battle mime, follows. The whiffling of swords also occurs in the Balkan rusalia, a ritual dance for healing and fertility. It also precedes several English hilt-and-point dances and possibly derives from ancient whiffling to clear the dance area of evil spirits.
Many European sword dances were taken over by trade guilds, trade implements often replacing swords. Dances with sticks are related both to sword dances and to Morris dances and moriscas, ritual dances usually for a double file of men. Many dances of the Morris–morisca family employ swords.
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The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Alicja Zelazko.
Swords Dance | Pokémon moves
- Contents
- Flavor text
- Learnt by level up
- Learnt by TR
Move data
| Type | Normal |
|---|---|
| Category | Status |
| Power | — |
| Accuracy | — |
| PP | 20 (max. 32) |
| Makes contact? | No |
| Introduced | Generation 1 |
Machine/Record
| Red/Blue Yellow | TM03 |
|---|---|
| Diamond/Pearl Platinum HeartGold/SoulSilver | TM75 |
| Black/White Black 2/White 2 | TM75 |
| X/Y O.Ruby/A.Sapphire | TM75 |
| Sun/Moon Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon | TM75 |
| Sword/Shield | TR00 |
| B.Diamond/S.Pearl | TM75 |
| Scarlet/Violet | TM88 |
Effects
Swords Dance raises the user's Attack by two stages.
Stats can be raised to a maximum of +6 stages each.
Changes
- In Generations 1-5, Swords Dance has 30 PP.
Z-Move effects
When a Pokémon is holding Normalium Z and uses its Z-Power, Swords Dance turns into Z-Swords Dance and eliminates any stat drops applied to the user, in addition to its usual effect as above.
Move target
Targets the user.
Other languages
| English | Swords Dance |
|---|---|
| Japanese | つるぎのまい (Tsurugi no Mai) |
| German | Schwerttanz |
| French | Danse-Lames |
| Italian | Danzaspada |
| Spanish | Danza Espada |
Game descriptions
| Gold/Silver Crystal | A dance that increases ATTACK. |
|---|---|
| Ruby/Sapphire Emerald | A fighting dance that sharply raises ATTACK. |
| FireRed/LeafGreen | A frenetic dance of fighting. It sharply raises the ATTACK stat. |
| Diamond/Pearl Platinum HeartGold/SoulSilver | A frenetic dance to uplift the fighting spirit. It sharply raises the user’s Attack stat. |
| Black/White Black 2/White 2 | A frenetic dance to uplift the fighting spirit. It sharply raises the user’s Attack stat. |
| X/Y O.Ruby/A.Sapphire | A frenetic dance to uplift the fighting spirit. This sharply raises the user’s Attack stat. |
| Sun/Moon Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon L.G. Pikachu/L.G. Eevee | A frenetic dance to uplift the fighting spirit. This sharply raises the user’s Attack stat. |
| Sword/Shield B.Diamond/S.Pearl | A frenetic dance to uplift the fighting spirit. This sharply raises the user’s Attack stat. |
| Scarlet/Violet | A frenetic dance to uplift the fighting spirit. This sharply boosts the user’s Attack stat. |
Learnt by level up
These Pokémon learn Swords Dance at the level specified. The numbers given are for Pokémon Sword & Shield and may vary in other games; check the respective Pokédex pages for details.
Sandshrew
#027 / Ground
Level 39
Sandshrew
Alolan Sandshrew
#027 / Ice · Steel
Level 39
Sandslash
#028 / Ground
Level 51
Sandslash
Alolan Sandslash
#028 / Ice · Steel
Level 1
Farfetch'd
#083 / Normal · Flying
Level 45
Farfetch'd
Galarian Farfetch'd
#083 / Fighting
Level 45
Krabby
#098 / Water
Level 40
Kingler
#099 / Water
Level 48
Scyther
#123 / Bug · Flying
Level 48
Pinsir
#127 / Bug
Level 40
Scizor
#212 / Bug · Steel
Level 48
Heracross
#214 / Bug · Fighting
Level 50
Ninjask
#291 / Bug · Flying
Level 57
Corphish
#341 / Water
Level 36
Crawdaunt
#342 / Water · Dark
Level 40
Absol
#359 / Dark
Level 45
Riolu
#447 / Fighting
Level 40
Lucario
#448 / Fighting · Steel
Level 40
Leafeon
#470 / Grass
Level 45
Gallade
#475 / Psychic · Fighting
Level 35
Drilbur
#529 / Ground
Level 36
Excadrill
#530 / Ground · Steel
Level 40
Karrablast
#588 / Bug
Level 36
Escavalier
#589 / Bug · Steel
Level 36
Axew
#610 / Dragon
Level 39
Fraxure
#611 / Dragon
Level 41
Haxorus
#612 / Dragon
Level 41
Pawniard
#624 / Dark · Steel
Level 60
Bisharp
#625 / Dark · Steel
Level 64
Bouffalant
#626 / Normal
Level 45
Cobalion
#638 / Steel · Fighting
Level 56
Terrakion
#639 / Rock · Fighting
Level 56
Virizion
#640 / Grass · Fighting
Level 56
Landorus
Incarnate Forme
#645 / Ground · Flying
Level 25
Landorus
Therian Forme
#645 / Ground · Flying
Level 25
Keldeo
Ordinary Form
#647 / Water · Fighting
Level 56
Bunnelby
#659 / Normal
Level 33
Diggersby
#660 / Normal · Ground
Level 43
Honedge
#679 / Steel · Ghost
Level 44
Doublade
#680 / Steel · Ghost
Level 50
Aegislash
Shield Forme
#681 / Steel · Ghost
Level 1
Aegislash
Blade Forme
#681 / Steel · Ghost
Level 1
Clauncher
#692 / Water
Level 35
Clawitzer
#693 / Water
Level 35
Hawlucha
#701 / Fighting · Flying
Level 40
Golisopod
#768 / Bug · Water
Level 40
Kartana
#798 / Grass · Steel
Level 65
Sirfetch'd
#865 / Fighting
Level 45
Zacian
Hero of Many Battles
#888 / Fairy
Level 22
Glastrier
#896 / Ice
Level 72
Calyrex
Ice Rider
#898 / Psychic · Ice
Level 1
Learnt by TR
Bulbasaur
#001 / Grass · Poison
Ivysaur
#002 / Grass · Poison
Venusaur
#003 / Grass · Poison
Charmander
#004 / Fire
Charmeleon
#005 / Fire
Charizard
#006 / Fire · Flying
Sandshrew
#027 / Ground
Sandshrew
Alolan Sandshrew
#027 / Ice · Steel
Sandslash
#028 / Ground
Sandslash
Alolan Sandslash
#028 / Ice · Steel
Oddish
#043 / Grass · Poison
Gloom
#044 / Grass · Poison
Vileplume
#045 / Grass · Poison
Meowth
Galarian Meowth
#052 / Steel
Tentacool
#072 / Water · Poison
Tentacruel
#073 / Water · Poison
Rapidash
#078 / Fire
Rapidash
Galarian Rapidash
#078 / Psychic · Fairy
Farfetch'd
#083 / Normal · Flying
Farfetch'd
Galarian Farfetch'd
#083 / Fighting
Krabby
#098 / Water
Kingler
#099 / Water
Exeggcute
#102 / Grass · Psychic
Exeggutor
#103 / Grass · Psychic
Exeggutor
Alolan Exeggutor
#103 / Grass · Dragon
Cubone
#104 / Ground
Marowak
#105 / Ground
Marowak
Alolan Marowak
#105 / Fire · Ghost
Lickitung
#108 / Normal
Rhyhorn
#111 / Ground · Rock
Rhydon
#112 / Ground · Rock
Tangela
#114 / Grass
Goldeen
#118 / Water
Seaking
#119 / Water
Scyther
#123 / Bug · Flying
Pinsir
#127 / Bug
Kabutops
#141 / Rock · Water
Mew
#151 / Psychic
Bellossom
#182 / Grass
Qwilfish
#211 / Water · Poison
Scizor
#212 / Bug · Steel
Heracross
#214 / Bug · Fighting
Sneasel
#215 / Dark · Ice
Skarmory
#227 / Steel · Flying
Celebi
#251 / Psychic · Grass
Treecko
#252 / Grass
Grovyle
#253 / Grass
Sceptile
#254 / Grass
Torchic
#255 / Fire
Combusken
#256 / Fire · Fighting
Blaziken
#257 / Fire · Fighting
Lotad
#270 / Water · Grass
Lombre
#271 / Water · Grass
Ludicolo
#272 / Water · Grass
Seedot
#273 / Grass
Nuzleaf
#274 / Grass · Dark
Shiftry
#275 / Grass · Dark
Ninjask
#291 / Bug · Flying
Mawile
#303 / Steel · Fairy
Roselia
#315 / Grass · Poison
Solrock
#338 / Rock · Psychic
Corphish
#341 / Water
Crawdaunt
#342 / Water · Dark
Lileep
#345 / Rock · Grass
Cradily
#346 / Rock · Grass
Anorith
#347 / Rock · Bug
Armaldo
#348 / Rock · Bug
Absol
#359 / Dark
Walrein
#365 / Ice · Water
Groudon
#383 / Ground
Rayquaza
#384 / Dragon · Flying
Budew
#406 / Grass · Poison
Roserade
#407 / Grass · Poison
Cherubi
#420 / Grass
Cherrim
#421 / Grass
Garchomp
#445 / Dragon · Ground
Riolu
#447 / Fighting
Lucario
#448 / Fighting · Steel
Skorupi
#451 / Poison · Bug
Drapion
#452 / Poison · Dark
Toxicroak
#454 / Poison · Fighting
Snover
#459 / Grass · Ice
Abomasnow
#460 / Grass · Ice
Weavile
#461 / Dark · Ice
Lickilicky
#463 / Normal
Rhyperior
#464 / Ground · Rock
Tangrowth
#465 / Grass
Leafeon
#470 / Grass
Gallade
#475 / Psychic · Fighting
Drilbur
#529 / Ground
Excadrill
#530 / Ground · Steel
Scolipede
#545 / Bug · Poison
Lilligant
#549 / Grass
Dwebble
#557 / Bug · Rock
Crustle
#558 / Bug · Rock
Zorua
#570 / Dark
Zoroark
#571 / Dark
Karrablast
#588 / Bug
Escavalier
#589 / Bug · Steel
Ferrothorn
#598 / Grass · Steel
Axew
#610 / Dragon
Fraxure
#611 / Dragon
Haxorus
#612 / Dragon
Beartic
#614 / Ice
Mienfoo
#619 / Fighting
Mienshao
#620 / Fighting
Pawniard
#624 / Dark · Steel
Bisharp
#625 / Dark · Steel
Bouffalant
#626 / Normal
Cobalion
#638 / Steel · Fighting
Terrakion
#639 / Rock · Fighting
Virizion
#640 / Grass · Fighting
Landorus
Incarnate Forme
#645 / Ground · Flying
Landorus
Therian Forme
#645 / Ground · Flying
Keldeo
Ordinary Form
#647 / Water · Fighting
Bunnelby
#659 / Normal
Diggersby
#660 / Normal · Ground
Fletchling
#661 / Normal · Flying
Fletchinder
#662 / Fire · Flying
Talonflame
#663 / Fire · Flying
Pancham
#674 / Fighting
Pangoro
#675 / Fighting · Dark
Honedge
#679 / Steel · Ghost
Doublade
#680 / Steel · Ghost
Aegislash
Shield Forme
#681 / Steel · Ghost
Aegislash
Blade Forme
#681 / Steel · Ghost
Binacle
#688 / Rock · Water
Barbaracle
#689 / Rock · Water
Clauncher
#692 / Water
Clawitzer
#693 / Water
Hawlucha
#701 / Fighting · Flying
Rowlet
#722 / Grass · Flying
Dartrix
#723 / Grass · Flying
Decidueye
#724 / Grass · Ghost
Litten
#725 / Fire
Torracat
#726 / Fire
Incineroar
#727 / Fire · Dark
Rockruff
#744 / Rock
Lycanroc
Midday Form
#745 / Rock
Lycanroc
Midnight Form
#745 / Rock
Lycanroc
Dusk Form
#745 / Rock
Fomantis
#753 / Grass
Lurantis
#754 / Grass
Stufful
#759 / Normal · Fighting
Bewear
#760 / Normal · Fighting
Golisopod
#768 / Bug · Water
Type: Null
#772 / Normal
Silvally
#773 / Normal
Mimikyu
#778 / Ghost · Fairy
Dhelmise
#781 / Ghost · Grass
Jangmo-o
#782 / Dragon
Hakamo-o
#783 / Dragon · Fighting
Kommo-o
#784 / Dragon · Fighting
Tapu Bulu
#787 / Grass · Fairy
Kartana
#798 / Grass · Steel
Necrozma
#800 / Psychic
Grookey
#810 / Grass
Thwackey
#811 / Grass
Rillaboom
#812 / Grass
Inteleon
#818 / Water
Greedent
#820 / Normal
Dubwool
#832 / Normal
Drednaw
#834 / Water · Rock
Hatterene
#858 / Psychic · Fairy
Perrserker
#863 / Steel
Sirfetch'd
#865 / Fighting
Falinks
#870 / Fighting
Duraludon
#884 / Steel · Dragon
Zacian
Hero of Many Battles
#888 / Fairy
Glastrier
#896 / Ice
Calyrex
Ice Rider
#898 / Psychic · Ice
Sword dances - an ancient form of dangerous and beautiful dances
Sword dance
Saber dance or sword dance is one of the ancient dance forms, which served to imitate such themes as animal sacrifices to improve fertility and fertility, imitation of battles and protection from evil spirits.
There are several varieties of this dance. In the hilt dance, each performer holds their sheathed sword by the hilt, and the support dancers behind them usually form complex formations. Battle dances for one or more performers imitated real battle and originally served as military training. The dance of the crossed swords is performed over two swords, or a sword and scabbard, which lie crossed on the ground. There are also guerrilla dances that are performed in a circular formation, with the performers often holding swords in their hands. nine0004
Sword dance
Hilt dances are widely practiced in Europe, for example in the north of England, in the Basque country and in Spain. They are often performed as an integral part of folk festivals. Performances with the participation of such dances are closely connected with the plays of English mummers, as well as with the Greek folk game in Thrace. In such a dance, the movement of the swords stops at one point, forming a "rose" or "castle", while the sword is held in the air near the performer's neck, imitating decapitation.
Often the "headless" falls "dead" to be "reborn" as a doctor, fool, or other supporting character. character. The roots of these dances lie in ancient rites of death and renewal, and it is possible that the dancer was once sacrificed to ensure fertility. Even today, such dances are believed to bring good luck or prosperity. nine0004
Sword dance
Dances imitating stylized combat have survived in modern Turkey (some performed with rifles instead of swords), in the Scottish diaspora of Canada, in Borneo, and elsewhere. The Pyrrhic dance served as an exercise in military training in ancient Greece until late antiquity, when it degenerated into a popular professional pastime. The Hassapikos or "Butcher's Dance" in Turkey and ancient and modern Greece (which is now a social dance) was performed with swords in the Middle Ages by members of the butcher's guild, which adopted it from the military. nine0004
Chinese sword dance
Crossed sword dances are common in Europe (eg Scotland and the Balkans) and also found in India, Borneo and other areas.
Characteristic of these dances is that one or more dancers perform precise and often very complex steps between swords lying on the ground. The famous Scottish solo dance by Gilli Cullum, which is performed to the folk tune of the same name, was first mentioned only at the beginning of 19- th century. Its close relative, the English Bacca, is performed over crossed clay pipes that replace swords. There is evidence that such dances previously included fencing. In the Scottish Argyle broadsword dance, four performers brandish their swords before placing them on the ground in the shape of a cross. Perhaps the meaning of the ancient ritual was that if the swords even slightly touched each other in the air, then the dance was stopped.
Sword dance
Guerrilla dances survived especially in the Balkans and Turkey, which for a long time suffered from the invasion of foreign armies. As a rule, they are performed in a circular formation, and such a dance begins with the fact that the leader begins to spin, whistling through the air with his swords.
A number of these dances, especially in England, are believed to originate from an ancient ritual to cleanse the area of evil spirits.
Many European merchant guilds also adopted sword dances, but the swords were often replaced by trade implements. nine0004
Saber belly dance video
Weapon dance (dance with a sword, one or two sabers, daggers) is traditionally present in many cultures, both Eastern and European. Of course, a weapon - a saber, a sword, a dagger - is an attribute that was always at hand, had a special symbolic meaning, evoking associations with strength, energy, invincibility.
The history of the culture of Central Asia does not contain any mention of women's traditional dances with a saber or sword, that is, this accessory was the original sign of male dance, and entered the female dance much later.
There is an opinion that the painting by the French Orientalist painter Jean-Leon Gerome, depicting a gypsy dancer with a saber, inspired the dancers to this kind of production. nine0004
The history of oriental belly dance with sabers - usually one or two - is woven of stories and legends. One thing is undeniable: this dance is complex and spectacular, it requires virtuosity and dexterity from the dancer, in other words, professionalism and hard training.
In order to start mastering saber belly dance - Samira's video lesson on this topic is presented on our page - you need to prepare, get everything you need. Samira begins her lesson with explanations on how to choose the right saber, as well as how to choose music and costume for dancing. nine0004
Saber dance should be mastered by dancers who have sufficient training in oriental dance. After all, to work with such a wayward accessory as a saber, you need to be able not only to flawlessly perform bellydance movements, but also to perfectly control your body, coordinating body movements with the movements of a saber.
The range of movements that can be used in sword dance is very diverse, and in her lesson Samira introduces you to it. Saber dance in the oriental interpretation is incredibly rich and includes, for example, contours, scrolls, circles, padded passes, enchanting saber spins, saber shakes. Studying on the lesson of Samira, you will learn the subtleties of changing the positions of the hands and body during the dance; learn how to balance with a saber on your head, which your audience will watch with bated breath. Movements with a saber are successfully and with great effect used in the dance "in the stalls": shaking the stomach while holding the saber on the stomach, as well as wave-like movements of the stomach when balancing the saber on the hip, looks unforgettable. In the stalls you will learn to perform more large-scale movements with a saber, in particular, figure-eights and rolls, movements in space while balancing the saber. nine0004
Samira generously shares her production with us.
A step-by-step analysis of the dance has been prepared for you with explanations of all the difficult moments, transitions and saber captures.
Having mastered the technique of sabering, as well as learning the tricks and subtleties of work from Samira, you can significantly diversify and enrich your program. Such a bright accessory as a saber will inspire you to new images in the dance!
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Duration: 53 minutes
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This lesson provides information about dance with a saber or a sword: the history of the origin of the dance, recommendations for choosing a saber and preparing it for work, selecting music and costume for this dance, discusses the basic movements, balances and various nuances of working with a saber.
