St. Vitus' Dance
Vitus Dance (chorea)
The dance of unrest • Between popular belief and neurology • The mystery of involuntary movements
Vitus Dance is the historical name for various forms of uncontrolled, jerky movements.The name is derived from Vitus (Saint Vitus), who was worshiped in the Middle Ages as the patron saint against nervous and movement disorders.
Today the term is usually given the medical name:
chorea
connected.
Historical background
In the Middle Ages, sudden movement disorders were often referred to as:
- Obsession
- divine test
- magical influence
- religious phenomenon
interpreted.
The so-called dance waves or dance manias became famous, in which groups of people seemed to dance or twitch incessantly.
Medical significance
Chorea means:
- involuntary movements
- sudden muscle twitches
- uncontrolled gestures
- motor restlessness
They can occur in various neurological diseases.
Esoteric symbolism
In symbolic terms, the St. Vitus Dance appears as:
The body that speaks when words are missing
It symbolizes:
- internal tensions
- unconscious conflicts
- the power of hidden forces
- the loss of control by the ego
The dance becomes an image of an energy that seeks expression.
Mythological interpretation
In popular imagination, St. Vitus Dance sometimes stood for:
- an encounter with invisible forces
- the influence of spirits
- ecstatic states
- collective mental agitation
The boundary between illness, trance and religious ecstasy was often fluid in earlier times.
Symbolism
Element: Fire
Symbols:
- Dance
- Circular movement
- Flame
- Drum rhythm
Qualities:
- Movement
- Ecstasy
- Discharge
- Conversion
Spiritual Essence
"Sometimes the body moves on where
where the mind can no longer find expression."
The Vitus Dance is a reminder of the deep connection between body, psyche and culture - and how people have interpreted extraordinary experiences differently throughout history.
Keywords
Vitus Dance • Chorea • Saint Vitus • Dance Mania • Movement Disorder • Popular Belief • Ecstasy • Neurology •
