  Galactic bulges are complex systems. Once thought to be small-scale versions
of elliptical galaxies, advances in astronomical instrumentation (spectroscopy
in particular) has revealed a wealth of photometric and kinematic substructure
in otherwise simple-looking components. This review provides an overview of how
our perspective on galactic bulges has changed over the years. While it is
mainly focused on aspects related to the dynamical state of their stars, there
will be natural connections to other properties (e.g. morphology, stellar
populations) discussed in other reviews in this volume.
