Presentation Title
Rainbow Dance, Inkling of Collapse or Symbol of Eternal Love
Location
Council Chambers
Start Date
12-10-2013 9:00 AM
End Date
12-10-2013 10:45 AM
Abstract
“The Dance of Rainbow Skirts” ( Wu nishang 舞霓裳) figures prominently in two Chinese traditional plays Rain on the Wutong Tree and The Palace of Eternal Youth, both focusing on the love story between the Tang Emperor Xuanzong and Lady Yang. In these two plays, dance not only serves as a symbol for Emperor Tang Xuanzong and Lady Yang Guifei’s love, but also links the earthly realm and the immortal world. Comparing the two works, this paper explores how the art of dance comes into play in the love between Emperor Tang Xuanzong and Lady Yang Guifei, and examines the ways in which dance connects to the different interpretations of their love. The paper argues that dance is an inkling of collapse and symbol of eternal love in the two plays respectively. In the former play Lady Yang’s dance portrays her beauty and Emperor Xuanzong’s affection, but the beautiful image of her only lives on in Xuanzong’s dream after the rebellion. The paradox of “fu” (福，happiness) and “huo” (祸，disaster) is well presented in dance. In contrast, in the later play the Rainbow Dance helps to portray Lady Yang as a talented subject and symbolizes her eternal love with Emperor Xuanzong. By traveling to the palace of the moon in her dreams, transcribing the music and performing the dance, Lady Yang takes control of her fate, art and love.
Rainbow Dance, Inkling of Collapse or Symbol of Eternal Love
Council Chambers
“The Dance of Rainbow Skirts” ( Wu nishang 舞霓裳) figures prominently in two Chinese traditional plays Rain on the Wutong Tree and The Palace of Eternal Youth, both focusing on the love story between the Tang Emperor Xuanzong and Lady Yang. In these two plays, dance not only serves as a symbol for Emperor Tang Xuanzong and Lady Yang Guifei’s love, but also links the earthly realm and the immortal world. Comparing the two works, this paper explores how the art of dance comes into play in the love between Emperor Tang Xuanzong and Lady Yang Guifei, and examines the ways in which dance connects to the different interpretations of their love. The paper argues that dance is an inkling of collapse and symbol of eternal love in the two plays respectively. In the former play Lady Yang’s dance portrays her beauty and Emperor Xuanzong’s affection, but the beautiful image of her only lives on in Xuanzong’s dream after the rebellion. The paradox of “fu” (福，happiness) and “huo” (祸，disaster) is well presented in dance. In contrast, in the later play the Rainbow Dance helps to portray Lady Yang as a talented subject and symbolizes her eternal love with Emperor Xuanzong. By traveling to the palace of the moon in her dreams, transcribing the music and performing the dance, Lady Yang takes control of her fate, art and love.
Comments
Presentation is included in Panel 11: Performance, Literature, and Education in late Imperial China