 The most important of the Zhou dynasty dances are the six dances termed the "Great Dances" that were performed to venerate Heaven, Earth, gods, ancestors or legendary figures.These six dances formed part of the system of court music and dance first established during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046–771 BCE) known as "Yayue".Music and dance were considered integral parts of a whole, each dance would have a piece of music associated with it; the word for music (樂, "yue") therefore can also refer to dance, and it may also be further extended to poetry as well as other art forms and rituals.