Chinese character 竷

竷 refers to a dance accompanied by singing. In classical Chinese, it describes movement as part of a musical performance.

The earliest form identified for 竷 appears in a manuscript from Chu, an ancient Chinese state, during the Warring States period; it was found in the tomb of Marquis Yi of Zeng. An excavated Chu ritual text uses “乐且竷之” to put 竷 alongside music, where it marks the dance part of the ceremony.

Shuowen Jiezi, an early Chinese character dictionary, quotes “竷竷舞我” and a verse from the Classic of Poetry, an early Chinese poetry collection: “坎坎鼓我，蹲蹲舞我.” The verse pairs drumming with dancing. Later dictionaries record two Mandarin readings with different tones: one can mean a dance tune, harmonious sound, drum sound, or konghou, an old Chinese harp; another is glossed as “to beat a drum.” Context determines which gloss fits.