Ceremonial dance

Ceremonial dance is a major category or classification of dance forms or dance styles, where the purpose is ceremonial or ritualistic.

An important distinction is to be drawn between the contexts of theatrical and participatory dance, although these two categories are not always completely separate; both may have special functions, whether social, ceremonial, competitive, erotic, martial, or sacred/liturgical.

Some, the more ancient ritual dances, are performed only for particular events or circumstances and initially were performed by male dancers only.

Ceremonial dance is a major category or classification of dance forms or dance styles, where the purpose is ceremonial or ritualistic.

Other male group dances originating from ritual dances are found along the Carpathians and in Transylvania.

* Sacred dance

Indigenous ceremonial dance rituals around the world appear to preserve forms that were widespread in ancient times.

Ceremonial dance is a major category or classification of dance forms or dance styles, where the purpose is ceremonial or ritualistic.

For example, ritual dances or dances of ritual origin are not considered to be folk dances.

Bugang is a Daoist ritual dance or walk, based upon the limping Yubu "Steps of Yu" tradition, in which a Taoist priest paces through a supernatural pattern, such as stars in the Big Dipper or numbers in the Loshu magic square.