Silk is a highly regarded material, which promotes images of beauty, daring and sensuality, especially when used as a belly dancing silk veil. The softness of the floating ability is what draws most dancers to opt for a belly dancing silk veil in place of other, less expensive materials.

The veil plays an important role in belly dancing, whether the style is American restaurant, American tribal or Egyptian orient. A belly dancing silk veil not only floats better but also makes its own unique sounds when twirled. Combining the ease with which a belly dancing silk veil is twirled, and the way it seems to defy gravity makes it a very popular item.

While other materials such as chiffon may have a similar appearance, according to many dancers they just do not have the same feeling or exude the same emotion as a belly dancing silk veil. If you think of a wedding veil, most are made of materials, which are stiff and allow for very little movement. By comparison, a belly dancing silk veil is meant to promote fluid movement to align with the moves of the dancer.

Varied Colors add to Movement

A belly dancer’s costume will change with the type of dance being performer. Egyptian dance costumes are typically made of colors that are more subdued and the veil, while usually matching, is sometimes a brighter or more vivid color. This will set the veil apart from the rest of the costume.

During a greeting dance, which is faster and contains more circular motions, a belly dancing silk veil can be rapidly twirled and spun in figure 8’s in front of or to the sides of the dancer. They can also be used to make circular motions at or near the portion of the dancer that is expressing a story at that time.

The veil is also used to frame the dancer’s face and draw attention to the actions of the dance. In a slower, more methodical type of dance, a belly dancing silk veil can aid the appearance of the dance movements, helping the audience maintain contact with the dancer and the message she is attempting to convey.

As many promoters of belly dancing silk veils contend, there is no other material that compares to silk in its fluidity of motion and its thrill of sound when twirled and circled in a dance movement. It is believed that dancers who use silk once are hooked on it for life.

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