Among all the various forms of Balinese dance, the Legong is often considered to be the most graceful. There are various forms of this dance. The most frequently performed is the Legong Keraton -- the Legong of the Palace. Formerly the dance was patronized by local rajas and held in the palace. Today, the dancer is recruited from the young children. The age of 14 is the retirement age of a Legong performer.

The Legong involves three dancers, the condong, a female attendant, and two identically dressed legongs. The dance relates how a king takes a maiden, Rangkesari, captive. When her brother tries to release her, Rangkesari begs the king to release her rather than to go to war. The king refuses and on his way to the battle meets a bird bringing ill omens. He ignores the bird and continues on, meets Rangkesari's brother and is killed.

In the dance, the story is ended when the congong reappears with the tiny golden wings and the wild eyes, beating its golden wings to attack the king in a vain attempt to dissuade him from war.