Dance in Korea

The classical dances in Korea are categorized as follows:

a. The ritual dances are performed by Buddhist monks holding sticks and drum. The swinging of the sleeves of their robes is the basic movement. It depicts the offering of one's body to Buddha. The other ritual dance is performed by 64 males of the Confusian temple. The movements are very uncompounded but colorful. The dancers hold a flute, a shield and an axe.

b. Court dancers design to amuse the nobility at the royal court. They are characterized by the slow and apt movement of their arms and legs.

c. Folk dances are characterized by the frankness of emotional expressions of the people which are not seen in rites and court dances.