舞

舞 has a particularly interesting historical development.

The character derives from 無.

In oracle bone and bronze inscriptions, 無 originally depicted a person adorned with decorative objects, moving their arms, representing a ritual dance. At this stage, 無 meant “to dance,” not “to lack.”

Later, 無 was borrowed (假借) to represent the abstract meaning “not exist; nothing.”

As this new meaning became dominant, the original sense “dance” required clarification.

To restore the original meaning 舛 (depicting two feet moving in opposite directions) was added, emphasizing foot movement. This produced 舞, explicitly representing bodily movement and dancing.

Thus, 舞 = ritual bodily movement with coordinated steps.

무용 (舞踊) — dance; dancing

무희 (舞姬) — dancer (especially female, literary)

군무 (群舞) — group dance

난무하다 (亂舞) — to dance wildly; to rage chaotically

농락하다 (舞弄하다) — to toy with; to manipulate

Related characters:

踊 — to dance (emphasizes jumping or rhythmic motion)

無 — nothing (original pictograph of dancing)

樂 — music; joy (often paired with dance)

戯 — play; mock (shares extended sense of teasing)

The figurative sense “to manipulate” comes from causing others to move at one’s direction, like dancers.

In classical ritual culture, dance was inseparable from music, sacrifice, and worship.

舞 retains strong aesthetic and ceremonial connotations, especially in East Asian traditions.