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   The Torch or Torchlight dance was related to the old Sword dances and is considered a German dance but it hails from Scotland and was refined in France, then finally Germany. It was introduced in 1463 at the Court of Burgandy. Often the tapers carried by the noblemen were many-colored, this was specially usual at weddings. A 'royal dance of torches' was revived and held at Berlin in 1821. Wax torches were used, and the Prince and Princess walked round the room, followed by councilors and ministers, marching according to rank.

   According to the Portuguese, King Dom Pedro de Alcântara I' (1798-1834) of Brazil, mad with sorrow at the loss of his beloved wife Inez de Castro, sleepless with gnawing pains of his bereavement would in the middle of the night order a troop of soldiers to form a hedge from his palace and hold lighted torches, so that in the moonlight he might dance between them, and thus give bodily expression to the vehemence of his grief.

    The 'Branle of the Torch' was said to have been danced admirably by Marguerite de Valois (1553-1615) and the 'Alençon', 'François' duc d'. Also, the 'Branle des Brandens', was danced on the first Sunday in Lent, with a lighted torch in the dancer's hand. Probably this was a remnant of an old superstitious practice of the ancient Gauls. During the month of February, which was the last of the solar year, the ancient inhabitants of France ran about the forests at night with lighted torches and danced a rite which was supposed to be one of purification, and also a ceremony which was meant to bring rest to their departed relatives and friends. This custom was founded in a utilitarian spirit by the Druidic priests, who knew that to run about with lights in the woods would free the trees from caterpillars, which generally emerge from their eggs in Spring.

   Many Countires had various torch dances such as a the Samoans who also had Torch and Fire dances as well. When a neighboring village would arrive at a Feast (The poula), the Samoan Dancers would pass the Torch to them. Another Samoan Torch dance was done by Samoan Tatto Artists. The Fàckeltanz is a music for the German Torch dance done by two rows of ministers at Royal weddings while the bride and groom paraded with the wedding party. Another Torch dance in the Jewish faith is called the 'Simchat Bet Hasho evah' held during the 'Feast of Sukkot', took place in the Court of the Women in ancient times. Another dance from Portugal known as "Fogueiras de S. João" was however a type of Fire dance where as the dancers would jump through fire rather than use torches.

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