舞蹈是凭借人体来表情达意的艺术。舞蹈集中体现民族的、社会的、时代的文化特征。全书从文化的深层机制入手，立足于舞蹈本体，挖掘舞蹈的哲学基因，梳理总结舞蹈自身的艺术构成方式，从而建立起舞蹈的系统性基础理论。通过对舞蹈本质的论证，对舞蹈动态意象的阐释，对舞蹈语言、表现手法以及舞蹈类型的分析论述，辅助读者切实了解舞蹈文化，掌握舞蹈的基本原理，以期在一个更高层次上完成舞蹈的创作、表演与研究。

CHAPTER 1 THE CONCEPT OF DANCE
1. Dance as a Form of Bodily Expression
2. The Images in Dance
CHAPTER 2 ONTOLOGICAL ELEMENTS IN DANCE
1.The Movements of the Human Body
2. The Human Movements in Dancing
CHAPTER 3 THЕ ESSENCE OF DANCE
1.“Dance is Meant for the Expression of Emotions”
2. The Emotional Image
CHAPTER 4 THE LANGUAGE OF DANCE
1. “Time, Space, and Force” as Grammar and Rhetoric
2. “Concrete Image” and “Virtual Image” as Dance Semantics
CHAPTER 5 THE SPATIAL COMPOSITION IN DANCE
1. Balance and Contrast
2. Focus and Conflict
CHAPTER 6 THE MODES OF EXPRESSION IN DANCE (I)
1. Making Thematic Statement Directly through Movements
2. Presenting Emotions and Narrative through Movements
CHAPTER 7 MODES OF EXPRESSION IN DANCE (II)
3. Using Modeling to Create the Image beyond Images
4. Using Natural Objects to Articulate Subjective Sentiments
CHAPTER 8 THE MODES OF EXPRESSION IN DANCE (III)
5. Creating Internal Visual Images with Virtual Symbols
6. Creating New Images by Changing the Symbolic Meaningof the Physical Objects
CHAPTER 9 THE MODES OF EXPRESSION IN DANCE (IV)
7. Creating Images by Means of Stage Properties
8.The Relationship between the Modes of Expression in Danceand Those in Other Forms of Arts and Letters
CHAPTER 10 TYPES OF DANCE (I)
1. Formal and Stylistic Structure
2. Function, Attribute and Style
CHAPTER 11 TYPES OF DANCE (II)
1. Folk Dance vs. Classical Dance
2. Ballet and Modern Dance
CHAPTER 12 THE NATIONAL CHARACTER OF DANCES
1. Physical Representations of National Character
2. Cultural Roots of Moving Patterns
CHAPTER 13 ARTISTIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CHINESE DANCE (I)
1. Gyrating Dragon
2. Floating Clouds and Flowing Water
CHAPTER 14 ARTISTIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CHINESE DANCE (II)
1. Unity of“Qi” and “Yun”
2. Unity of Form and Spirit
CHAPTER 15 THE ELEMENT OF HUMAN LIFE IN DANCE
1. Interpreting and Representing Life via Art
2. Focus on People-orientated Humanistic Spirit