Ding Craftsmanship Embodied: Timeless Charm Represented in Trio Dance

As an important national cultural legacy, ding (cauldron) craftsmanship is celebrated for a repertoire of unique designs, exquisite patterns, and inscriptions rich with meaning. Each ding chronicles a legend from antiquity. Our classical dance "Ding, A Symbol of Strength" draws on the ingenious artistic designs of Wang Ziwu Ding as the crème de la crème among all ding artifacts. Tripod makes a ding, and quadpod makes a Zun (another time-honored ritual vessel). Whereas traditional round dings mostly feature two handles and a round belly, Wang Ziwu Ding is distinctive with its broad cinched waist, slanted upright handles, and elegantly slender inscriptions adorning the inner walls of its lid, neck, and body. The refined design and craftsmanship captivated me during a field trip. I couldn’t help but contemplate the state-of-the-art techniques of ancient craftsmen and the vicissitudes of history. Its brilliance inspired me to bring this ancient artifact to life via a classical dance. Through the graceful movements of dancers, this millennium-old artifact embraces a new lease of life, telling its tale once more.

Photo of Yuan Na, choreographer and director of "Ding, A Symbol of Strength", during an exclusive interview with Guangming Online.

Delicate Verdigris: Imagist Beauty Encapsulated with Bronze Craftsmanship of Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BCE)

Adorned with a verdant patina, Wang Ziwu Ding showcases a flared mouth and a cinched body, elegantly resting on three-hoofed legs. Crafted through lost-wax casting, it is embellished with myriad intricate openwork elements that reveal rich and mesmerizing subtleties. Its graceful curves and horizontal lines establish a striking balance, embodying a harmonious blend of tenderness and strength. Its body is adorned with semi-relief motifs of dragon, undulating wave patterns, and swirling cloud designs, while the inner walls feature raised inscriptions, adding layers of meaning to its exquisite form.

In designing the costumes and postures for the dancers, we aimed to present the image of Wang Ziwu Ding. From the intricacies of the actors’ headdresses and makeup to their garments and footwear, every detail—bathed in a copper-green hue—reflects the imprints of the Ding, providing a glimpse into the exquisite bronze artistry that flourished during the Spring and Autumn Period. For instance, the openwork headdresses, crafted with an impressionistic touch, appear ethereal from a distance yet possess a striking presence up-close. The armor adorning the dancers’ hands employs three-dimensional techniques, enhancing its sculptural quality. While the costumes and makeup of the three performers may appear similar at first glance, subtle differences represent the unique elements of the Ding. As the dancers unite, their bodies converge to form the delicate patterns of this ancient artifact. Each dancer, embodying his unique role, resonates with a fragment of this historic vessel. Together, they convey its original glory.

Vigorous Steps: Dance Gives Expression to National Treasure

Every art form provides a distinct perspective on reviving the spirit of ancient relics. Unlike songs that rely on melodies or plays that incorporate dialogues, dance communicates through the eloquence of body movements, serving as a medium for storytelling and emotional expression. This inspired our dance "Ding, A Symbol of Strength". Through their steps and gestures, the dancers recount the brilliance of this ancient artifact, embodying the strength and grace of the vessel. Each movement is a narrative thread, weaving together the history and artistry of the ding, breathing new life into its legacy while inviting the audience to engage with its timeless allure.

Photo of the dance performance "Ding, A Symbol of Strength". (Photo provided to Guangming Online)

The unique design of Wang Ziwu Ding encapsulates the artistic idiosyncrasies and romantic culture of the Kingdom of Chu during the Spring and Autumn Period. Characterized by dynamic curves, flowing lines, a cinched waist, and outward-flaring ears, the artifact exudes a sense of elegance and vitality. In our dance, the movements of the dancers serve to symbolize these subtleties through nuanced and expansive gestures. As the classical dance unfolds, the essence of the ding materializes in various forms. The act of lifting hands evokes the vessel’s intricate patterns, mirroring the Chinese character for “ding” (鼎). The two performers positioned on the sides embody the vertical strokes of this character, representing the ding’s ears and legs, while the dancer raised above signifies the character’s top (目), symbolizing the belly of the vessel. Together, these movements create a captivating visual narrative that not only honors the craftsmanship of the ding but also allows the audience to explore its historical significance through the art of dance.

Choreographing a trio dance to present the structure of the Ding proved to be a formidable challenge. Unlike a group dance that can create expansive visuals, or a duet fit for relational dynamics, the trio required meticulous attention to the interplay of open and closed formations, mirroring the contours of the ding and its intricate inscriptions. We engaged in extensive experimentation, refining our movements to ensure they resonate with the image of the artifact. Through this iterative process, we ultimately developed a gesture that vividly embodies the symbol of ding. Each dancer plays a crucial role, contributing to a cohesive visual representation that captures the essence of this ancient vessel. The product is a dance that not only reflects the physicality of the ding but also evokes its historical and cultural significance, creating a dynamic dialogue between movement and meaning.

The shape of the ding evokes a sense of strength and sturdiness, much like the Chinese expression “鼎立”, which signifies a firm, unwavering presence steeped in history. In our dance "Ding, A Symbol of Strength", movements are filled with strength, with the dancers’ energy rooted firmly in their feet, exuding a grounded and steady presence. Movements like fist-clenching and deep squats are executed with robust energy and resilience, emphasizing the enduring qualities of the ding. Coupled with the heavy beats of the music, the choreography creates a breathtaking and awe-inspiring atmosphere.

The coordination of movement and rhythm demands immaculate synergy of the dancers. They put in huge efforts to practice, eventually achieving perfect synchronization between gazes and breaths. They managed to blend seamlessly with one another. Their teamwork and collective progress mirror the symbolic meaning of ding as a representation of unity under Heaven. As the performers stand on stage, they aim to convey the might of a vast army, radiating powerful energy. This strength resembles a magnetic field that pulls together a united group, just like the enduring legacy of Chinese culture and history.

Photo of the dance performance "Ding, A Symbol of Strength". (Photo provided to Guangming Online)

The quintessential elements of cultural heritage have indeed endured the test of time. As we created "Ding, A Symbol of Strength", craftsmen during the Spring and Summer Period set an example for us. We should endeavor to create arts of timeless appeal like they did. By absorbing and weaving the aesthetics of ancient craftsmanship into our graceful dance movements, we create a harmonious blend of the old and the new, striving for artistic excellence. Through this approach, classical dance can breathe life into the profound wellsprings of our tradition, allowing us to express its richness in a contemporary context. We aspire to popularize the enduring appeal of Wang Ziwu Ding, nurture a sense of cultural pride, and share the timeless beauty of Chinese cultural heritage with the wider world. This vibrant dance serves as a modern interpretation of the ding, showcasing its excellence under the spotlight on the global stage.

Contributed by Yuan Na, Choreographer and Director of "Ding, A Symbol of Strength," edited by Junye Zhang and Ji Yunfan (Intern).