Abstract - The Search for Infinity. The Number 8 and the Martial Arts
Problem/Aim. Since ancient times, in both West and East, the number eight is present in many cultural expressions, having important functions, both symbolic and concrete. Concerning the human bodily experience, the aim is to strive not to an abstract summary, an idealistic archetype, but to the identification of the specificities of the different historical processes that have produced different body techniques.
Material/Method. Moving from the presence of the number eight in martial arts and traditional dances coming from different backgrounds and using the comparative historical method, article traces the similarities among various disciplines.
Results/Conclusions. Dance and martial arts are activities well established already in archaic societies as expressions of universal efficiency of rhythmic alternation between opposing, but complementary and inseparable, forces. Through observation of the nature we can perceive this alternation.