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Why counterclockwise LOD??

Posted by Tom

8/16/2007 8:22:00 PM

Does anyone know why the LOD always travels in a counterclockwise direction? Where did this originate? Why isn't it clockwise?

Re: Why counterclockwise LOD??

Posted by SmoothGeezer

8/17/2007 1:36:00 PM

Probably because all the original waltz steps turned right, and it is a lot easier to go around a room in a counter clockwise direction with right turning steps. Same reason right turns are called natural turns.

Re: Why counterclockwise LOD??

Posted by nigelgwee

8/17/2007 4:59:00 PM

In the days when gentlemen carried swords, most right-handed persons wore the scabbard on their left. Those were dangerous times, and a gentleman had to be ready at any time to draw his sword, even while dancing. Going counterclockwise, with scabbards on the inside of the LOD, seemed safer for the spectators, who were presumably on the outside of the LOD.

Re: Why counterclockwise LOD??

Posted by Annie

8/17/2007 8:52:00 PM

Stupid question- does it have anything to do with the rotation of the earth?

Re: Why counterclockwise LOD??

Posted by Yari

11/30/2007 5:39:00 PM

No question is stupid. But I agree with Annie's musing. Waltz, the first ballroom dance, was started by the Aussies.

Re: Why counterclockwise LOD??

Posted by terence2

8/17/2007 11:54:00 PM

True-- add to this. - watch any of the old westerns ( Formal dances ) V.W. was always danced --Natural turns( to the right ) counter clockwise -- hence the name " Natural " turn .

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