The pavane is a processional dance common in Europe during the 16th century, whether named from an origin in Padua (padovano), from Sanskrit meaning wind, or from the stately sweep of a lady's train likened to a peacock's tail. The decorous sweep of the pavane suited the new more sober Spanish-influenced courtly manners of 16th century Italy, and the pavane may have originated in Spain. It appears in dance manuals in England, France, and Italy. The term also describes the special music accompanying the dance, often paired with a livelier galliard, and the musical pavane survived hundreds of years after the dance itself was abandoned. At Louis XIV's court the pavane was superseded by the courante. A contemporary dancer rehearsing in a dance studio Dance (from Old French dance, further history unknown) generally refers to human movement either used as a form of expression (see also body language) or presented in a social, spiritual or performance setting. ... (15th century - 16th century - 17th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 16th century was that century which lasted from 1501 to 1600. ... The Sanskrit language ( संस्कृता वाक्) is one of the earliest attested members of the Indo-European language family and is not only a classical language, but also an official language of India. ... Royal motto: Dieu et mon droit (French: God and my right) Englands location within the UK Official language English de facto Capital London de facto Largest city London Area  - Total Ranked 1st UK 130,395 km² Population  - Total (2001)  - Density Ranked 1st UK 49,138,831 377/km² Religion... The galliard (Gaillarde, in French) was a form of Renaissance Dance and music popular all over Europe in the 16th century. ... Courante is a court dance popular in Europe from about 1600 to 1800. ...

As a dance, the pavane was often used by a single couple as a processional. In Thoinot Arbeau's French dance manual, it is generally an improvised dance, with the dancers throwing in ornamentation (divisions) of the steps. In the English Measure manuscripts, the pavane is one of several similar dances classed as measures, and is simple and choreographed. In Italian sources, the pavane is often a fairly complicated dance, with galliard and other sections. Thoinot Arbeau is the pen name (and an anagram!) of Jehan Tabourot, who was born in Dijon in 1519. ... The galliard (Gaillarde, in French) was a form of Renaissance Dance and music popular all over Europe in the 16th century. ...

The step used in the pavane survives to the modern day in the hesitation step sometimes used in weddings.

Modern musical compositions using the name:

• The Classical music piece "Pavane for a Dead Princess" by Maurice Ravel, 1899, with a self-consciously archaising mood.
• The Classical music piece "Pavane" by Gabriel Fauré
• Jazz standard "Pavane" by Eumir Deodato