2 3 Saturday Superstitions and Numbers | Ballet Webb

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Saturday Superstitions and Numbers



Saturday Superstitions and Numbers

Last Saturday I talked about how rituals are important to many dancers and performers, especially prior to a performance. Although these rituals are as unique as the dancer who does them, numbers are often a feature.

Before the curtain rises, a dancer “must” do 32 changements; run a circle around the stage 3 times, or walk across the stage twice, then turn around once and bend down and touch the floor with both hands. Some rituals are tied (no pun intended) to pointe shoes or costumes. Wrapping the ribbons around a certain number of times, then undoing them and repeating the process a set number of times is another type of ritual. There are hundreds of examples of these numbered superstitions.

These numeric rituals are often tied to a previous successful performance, and by repeating what was done that night it is believed that the upcoming performance will be equally successful – or such is the hope.


From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets
Ballet Superstition #180:
“Numbers are often a feature in dancer’s rituals.”

Link of the Day:

Quote of the Day:
“It’s like asking why is Ludwig van Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony beautiful. If you don't see why, someone can't tell you. I know numbers are beautiful. If they aren't beautiful, nothing is.”
― Paul Erdos

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