“Qin King’s Battle Array Song”

The “Qin King’s Battle Array Song,” also known as “Qin King’s Battle Array Dance” or “Seven Virtues Dance,” is a famous grand musical-dance composition from the Tang Dynasty, originally a military song extolling the military achievements of Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin. The origin of the “Qin King’s Battle Array Song” dates back to the late Sui Dynasty, initially a military anthem incorporating Kucha melodies. In the early Tang Dynasty, during the third year of Wude (620 AD), new lyrics were added to praise the military exploits of Prince Qin, Li Shimin. By the first year of Zhenguan (627 AD), the piece had evolved into a grand musical-dance composition used in court banquets. The melody of the “Qin King’s Battle Array Song” is based on Han Chinese music, infused with elements of Kucha music, exuding a heroic and vigorous spirit. During performances, dancers dressed in armor with halberds symbolized the mixture of cavalry and infantry, engaging in dynamic and powerful choreography, with the accompanying music resonating for miles and echoing through valleys. In the Tang Dynasty, the “Qin King’s Battle Array Song” held a prominent status as a tribute to Emperor Taizong and a celebration of heroism, laying the foundation for Tang Dynasty aesthetic styles. It was performed not only at court banquets but also during important sacrificial and celebratory events. The piece was performed during the second year of the Yifeng era, first playing the “Divine Achievement Battle Array Music” (another name for the “Qin King’s Battle Array Music”) followed by the “Achievement Celebration Music.” Furthermore, the “Qin King’s Battle Array Song” spread beyond China’s borders to countries like India and Japan, with nine versions of the piece preserved in Japanese repertory.