Ancient dancers

Āmrapālī, also known as "Ambapālika", "Ambapali", or "Amra" was a celebrated nagarvadhu (royal courtesan) of the Republic of Vaishali (located in present-day Bihar) in ancient India around 500 BC. Amrapali also won the title of rajnartaki (court dancer). Following the Buddha's teachings, she became an arahant. She is mentioned in the old Pali texts and Buddhist traditions (āgama sutras), particularly in conjunction with the Buddha staying at her mango grove, Ambapali vana, which she later donated to his order and wherein he preached the famous Ambapalika Sutra.

Empress of Han Dynasty China

Philinna (Greek: ) or Philine (Greek: ) was the name of many Greek women.

thumb|A mural from the Ajanta Caves depicting a dancer. Nagarvadhu (also Nagaravadhu or Nagar Vadhu; Devanagari: नगरवधू; ) was a tradition followed in some parts of ancient India.

thumb|The painting Golden Valley Villa by [[Hua Yan, 1732, depicting Shi Chong listening to the music of Lüzhu, Shanghai Museum ]]