The dance performance of The Rite of Spring draws inspiration from symbols of nature, Chinese folk dance and traditional music. [Photo by Zu Zhongren/for chinadaily.com.cn]

The Rite of Spring, a new dance production by China's leading dancer and choreographer Yang Liping, went on a global tour with its first stop being the ongoing China Shanghai International Arts Festival.

According to Yang, her interpretation of The Rite of Spring – it is composed by Igor Stravinsky – draws inspiration from symbols of nature, Chinese folk dance and traditional music, while incantation, sacrifice and reincarnation form the thematic structure.

The peacock – the symbol of beauty, nature and life – is cast as the sacred bird in the production and will eventually find empowerment in her sacrifice and be reincarnated. Yang has infused her famous peacock dance moves into the performance, which is based on traditional Tibetan and modern dance.

The performance also features a lion, which is an important symbol of Tibetan culture that symbolizes power, with his purpose being to accept the peacock's sacrifice.

The music features three sections. The first and last sections use a specially created score inspired by traditional music from Tibet, while the second uses the original The Rite of Spring by Stravinsky.

Following Shanghai, the dance performance will go on tour in cities including New York, London and Amsterdam.