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Broadsword dance
Scottish dance

Broadsword dance

Scottish dance

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form of sword dance

  • Sword Dance of the Cutter's Guild, coloured pen drawing by an unknown artist, 1600; in the German National Museum, Nürnberg.
    In sword dance

    In the Scottish Argyll broadsword dance, the four performers flourish their swords before laying them on the ground, points touching, to form a cross. Possible ancient ritual meaning is suggested by the frequent belief that if a sword is touched, even lightly, the dance must be stopped.

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