Dedication Whirl

Dedication Whirl (奉納舞, hounou-mai) is a religious dance performed at the coming-of-age ceremony at the Royal Academy.

Held each year at the end of the school term, the dedication whirl celebrates the arrival of spring and new life.

Out of all the graduating apprentice knights, twenty (usually, but not always, archnobles ) are chosen to perform sword dances, while seven graduating archduke candidates are chosen to perform whirls. The rest of the students sing and provide music. Being chosen is considered a great honor, both for the individual and the duchy. Among the whirlers, all seven have symbolic positions corresponding to one of the Supreme Gods or Eternal Five, with the Goddess of Light and God of Darkness roles going to the most talented whirlers. The roles of the king and queen of the heavens are considered to be the most prestigious. In Rozemyne's first year, Eglantine performs as the Goddess of Light and Anastasius as the God of Darkness.

In order to prepare for graduation, archduke candidates attend dedication whirl classes at the Royal Academy.

The decision who participates in the dance at the graduation ceremony and who will dance which role is made during the students' fifth year based on a combination of their duchy's rank and their skills with the final year being dedicated to polish their skills to the fullest.

There are two styles of whirling, one for men and one for women. However, both rely on smooth, spinning movements, where the whirler moves as gracefully and beautifully as possible.

When correctly done, a whirl is said to look like a spinning top, remaining perfect balance to the point that the whirler almost seems to be standing still. Rozemyne remarks that the principle seems to be similar to traditional Japanese dance.

The performing whirlers wear clothes similar to the temple's ceremonial robes, each in their respective divine colors. However, they are made of light, semi-transparent fabric that allows their sleeves and hems to flutter out as they turn. Girls also wear thin veils and silver sashes.

Finally, the whirler also recites a standard prayer as they dance, beginning with the line "I am one who offers prayer and gratitude to the gods who have created the world."


 * Ferdinand is said to be a good whirler, although Rozemyne has never seen him perform.
 * The positions of Goddess of Light and God of Darkness ostensibly go to the best whirlers among the archduke candidates, but the highest-ranking candidates of the year are usually the ones chosen.