In Chinese history, Zhao Feiyan was the only dancer who at last became an empress. It was said that her given name, Feiyan, which in Chinese means flying swallow, was given by her beautiful dance. According to historical records, she “was light as a swallow and could dance on another one’s palm”.
She was also the most famous slim beauty in ancient China. Legend had it that when she danced, it seemed that a breeze would carry her away.
Depending on her astuteness and beauty, she rose from dancer to empress within two years. For many years, the emperor favored only Zhao Feiyan and her sister and kept company with them every day.
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#1 by Aleko the geeky bookworm on April 9, 2009 - 8:22 am
Hi, do you think that Zhao Feiyan could have inspired the character of Mei in the movie “the House of Flying Daggers”? Because at the beginning there is a scene where she is dancing that is just so beautiful, and actually she seems to be flying, and I always wondered if this part of the movie was inspired by a legend.
#2 by picnotes on April 9, 2009 - 11:57 pm
Yes, maybe Zhao indeeded inspired the character of Mei for both their dance are so beautiful. I did a search just now, Zhao’s performance combined the art of acrobatics and traditional dance. It is a pity that her dance have died out. Mei’s performance combines martial arts and traditional dance and maybe it influenced by the dance in Tang dynasty.