Yubu, translated as Pace(s) of Yu or Step(s) of Yu, is the basic mystic dance step of religious Daoism. This ancient walking or dancing technique typically involves dragging one foot after another, and is explained in reference to the legendary Yu the Great, who became lame on one side of his body from exerting himself while establishing order in the world after the Great Flood. Daoist religions, especially during the Six Dynasties period (220–589), incorporated Yubu into rituals, such as the Bugang步罡 "pace the Big Dipper", in which a Taoist priest would symbolically walk the nine stars of the Beidou北斗 "Big Dipper" in order to acquire that constellation's supernatural energy.
