Interesting question.
A sword is a prop with a number of symbolic meanings. It can symbolize a cutting away of the past, the severing of affection, or the slash of emotional pain. If it is presented in a violent manner, then of course it can symbolize aggression and war. No prop is innocuous if it is used to depict violence. Imagine a presentation wherein the dancer uses her veil as a garrot or her candles for arson. That beautiful silk, those glowing candles take on new symbolism then, hmm?
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I think if your dancing with a saber you're showing men that weapons are sexy.
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If this is your perception of sword dances, then I can see how you might struggle with the issue. Are you seeing the sword as a symbol of masculinity that contrasts with the femininity of dance, which automatically translates to passion? War is a kind of passion, too, and so you could easily use a sword to depict violence with sexual overtones. I know some very small women who drive very large pickup trucks simply because some men perceive the juxtaposition of tiny woman/big masculine vehicle as sexy.
(By the way, folks, this is not an attempt to resume the old feminine essence of belly dance argument, so don't even start- I'm talking about a particular instance of perception.)