A circle dance, simply put, is a type of dance in which participants dance in a circle without having a specific partner. It is said to be one of the oldest forms of dance, if not the oldest, and is frequently accompanied by a few musical instruments such as drums and woodwind instruments such as the flute to keep the rhythm going. Because it is performed in various cultures and religions around the world, the circle dance can be considered a universal ritual and symbol. The dance is also known as the circular dance or the round dance.
The origin of the circle dance is unknown, but it is unquestionably ancient; in Egypt, a rock petroglyph of girls dancing in a circle was discovered and dated to around 3000 BC. According to some accounts, the dance is a way of imitating how the planets revolve around the Sun, rather than around the Earth as previously thought. This mimicry could be a form of worship for the Sun, the Earth, or other celestial bodies visible in the sky like the moon and stars. Aside from worship, circular dances may also be used to symbolize a community’s unity and to strengthen their bond through a shared ritual. The dances can also be performed as a form of prayer for a good harvest, healing, or receiving visions.
A circle dance does not usually require a set number of people to participate, but can accommodate a large group. It can also involve holding hands, which is thought to symbolize the community’s sense of togetherness and the belief that the physical connection will aid in the flow of “energy” from one person to the next. The dance can also have multiple “circles,” with the largest circle containing the smaller circles, and participants spinning alternately at times. Maypole dancing, for example, can have an object in the center around which the participants dance.
Circle dances can be found all over the world, including the Jewish Mayim Mayim folk dance, which is performed as a tribute to how the Jews found water during their 40-year journey through the desert. The circle dance is also used by Native Americans for a variety of purposes, including healing, vision seeking, and war preparation. Another circular dance is the Scottish Sacred Circle Dance, which features a small flower-adorned altar as the centerpiece around which participants dance.