liturgical dance
Quick Summary
Liturgical dance involves dance performed as part of a religious ritual or worship service. While not a standard part of early Christian services, it has roots in ancient Jewish traditions, where dance was often linked to joyous occasions like festivals and weddings.12
Historically, the Christian church's view on dance was divided. Some saw it as a path to lust and permissiveness, while others, like St. Basil, considered it a noble activity akin to angelic worship. Despite prohibitions by figures like Charlemagne, dance persisted in various forms, sometimes secularized from older pagan rites.3
In the 20th century, there was a reintroduction of liturgical dance in some Christian churches, often in a limited capacity. This movement aligns with broader efforts to make worship more active and engaging for participants. Liturgical dance can serve to express religious ecstasy and enhance the spiritual experience of worship.451
- Western dance - Jewish dance
- Western dance - Ecclesiastical attitudes and practices
- Christianity - New liturgical forms and antiliturgical attitudes
- African dance - The religious context
- worship - Activities
- Liturgical Movement
- liturgical
- liturgical drama
- dance - Cultural distinction between dramatic and formal dance
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ChristianityNew liturgical forms and antiliturgical attitudesLiturgical dancing, widely spread in pagan cults, was not practiced in the early church, but in the latter part of the 20th century liturgical dances were reintroduced in some churches in a limited fashion. Among the many other gestures of devotion and veneration practiced in…
Read MoreLiturgical dancing, widely spread in pagan cults, was not practiced in the early church, but in the latter part of the 20th century liturgical dances were reintroduced in some churches in a limited fashion. Among the many other gestures of devotion and veneration practiced in…
Read More
religious symbolism and iconographyGestural and physical movementsThe liturgical dance in a rudimentary form was maintained for a long time in Christianity, as has been the procession. Dancing has not only a significative but also a magical function. It seeks to enchant the holy power.
Read MoreThe liturgical dance in a rudimentary form was maintained for a long time in Christianity, as has been the procession. Dancing has not only a significative but also a magical function. It seeks to enchant the holy power.
Read More