What is form, spirit, strength and rhythm in classical dance?

Shape, spirit, strength and rhythm are the four aesthetic elements of classical dance, "shape, spirit, strength and rhythm". The so-called form, i.e., the external movement, contains the line of action associated with the posture and movement; the god, i.e., the spirit and thought, is the dominant part; the strength, i.e., the power, contains the artistic treatment of the relationship between lightness, weight, urgency, length, rigidity and softness; and the rhythm, i.e., the law of movement of the movement itself.

"Form" refers to the external movement of the body, i.e. the connection between various intuitive and external postures and various movements. All visible forms and processes can be called "form". "Shape" is the most basic characteristic of figurative art, and is also the medium to express the beauty of classical dance. Therefore, the grasp of "form" is particularly important in classical Chinese dance. "Twisting, tilting, rounding and curving" are the basic principles of the aesthetic pursuit of "form" (i.e., body posture) in classical Chinese dance. Based on the element of waist movement, with "rowing circle" route as the main body, and based on the excellent traditional movements, we can truly grasp the beauty of the form of classical Chinese dance.

Any art without charm is like a shell without soul. In the human body movement of classical dance, divinity can be recognized and perceived. In classical Chinese dance, "Shen" generally refers to connotation, spirit, rhythm and temperament. There is a proverb in dance: "Form is three, strength is six, mind is eight, and the invisible is ten." That is to say, in the dance posture, "form" only accounts for three points, "strength" accounts for six points, "God" accounts for eight points. "God" is the expression of the dancer's psychology and connotation, and mere imitation is ineffective. When we master the "shape", "strength", "God", will naturally blend the three into one, to achieve both shape and spirit, perfect unity of the realm. This is the real pursuit of dance art performance.

"Strength" in classical Chinese dance refers to the internal rhythm, level and power given to the external movements. The rhythm of Classical Chinese Dance is usually comfortable but not slow, tense but not chaotic, there is still stillness in the movement, there is still rhythm in the stillness, and the dance is carried out in a relatively free and regular "elastic" rhythm. In terms of body rhythm, Classical Chinese Dance emphasizes the training of dancers to master the scale of power in dance. It requires the use of power to have contrasts and differences in terms of urgency, lightness, weight, length, etc., and not to tend to the average. The "strength" is not only in the process of movement, but also more important at the end of the movement.

"Rhythm" includes two meanings: the rhythm of the movement itself and the rules it follows. Generally speaking, the connection between the movement and the movement must be "smooth", in the dance if the actor's movement is "smooth", he will have the feeling of flowing water. But "counter-rhythm" is also a very important factor in the rhythm of classical dance, these "not smooth then smooth" "counter-rhythm", in the dance can produce strange peaks, unexpected effects. Whether it is a one-two punch, the smooth water to push the boat's momentum, or the opposite of the reverse momentum, or from the "opposite side of the start", are reflected in the classical Chinese dance "round, swim, change, illusion" of the beauty, which is the essence of the classical Chinese dance.