Fact & Info Desk
The Sacred Art of Apsara Dance
1. Historical OriginsApsara dance is one of Cambodia's most iconic art forms, deeply rooted in the Angkorian era (9th-15th centuries). The stone walls of Angkor Wat are covered with carvings of over 1,800 celestial dancers, known as Apsaras. According to Hindu mythology, these beings were born during the "Churning of the Ocean of Milk" to entertain gods and kings.
2. Movements & SymbolismThe dance is characterized by slow, controlled movements and absolute grace. It is not merely a performance but a spiritual language. The dancers, wearing elaborate silk costumes and gold headdresses, move with intricate hand gestures called *kbach*. Every finger position has a specific meaning—representing a fruit, a flower, or a leaf—telling stories from ancient epics like the Reamker. The dancers embody the bridge between the earthly and divine realms.
3. Survival & RevivalDuring the 1970s, under the Khmer Rouge regime, this sacred art form was nearly destroyed, and an estimated 90% of master artists perished. However, due to the extraordinary resilience of the few surviving teachers, the dance was revived in the 1980s and 90s. Today, the Royal Ballet of Cambodia preserves this tradition, and in 2003, it was proclaimed a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.