Lion Dance 舞狮

Lion Dance, 舞狮, is a traditional art form that incorporates

physical training commonly associated with martial arts
and ascetic expressions.

During a lion dance performance, 2 performers co operate to “become”

a lion. The Lion’s body consists of a lion head with movable ears, eye
lids and mouth and a highly decorated body. The performers wear a t-
shirt with the lion dance association’s logo and a special pair of pants
designed to look like lion’s feet and in matching color and design with
the lion’s body.

One of the performers takes the front position and assumes the front
body of the lion. He controls the lion’s eye lids, ears and the mouth
while his legs moves represent the front legs of a lion. The second
performer arches forward to form the back of the lion, controls its tail
and his legs represents the hind legs of the lion.

Lion dance performances are often accompanied by drum and gong

players so that whenever there is a lion dance performances, the drum
and gongs help to “inform” everyone around the area drawing crowds.
The lion dance can occur with one or a group of lions and sometimes
together with the dragon dance.

At the end of each performance, the Lion may leave a display of

orange petals for audience to decipher the lucky numbers from the
formation. Pastries such as prosperity cakes 发糕 are also used as
props because of its auspicious symbolism.

Although it is called a lion dance, the lion is definitely not the physical
lion in the zoo but a stylized cultural lion with a variety of colors and
designs. The lions are generally categorized into northern and
southern lions and within each category, there are variations reflecting
regional influences in China. One of the most distinguished types of
Southern Lion is the Green Lion 青狮 thought to have its origins in the
Ming loyalist’s anti Qing movement.

Lion dance performances are usually associated with joyous or auspicious occasions. The
following is a list of social and festival occasions that a lion dance performance can be
seen
Chinese new year

During the Chinese New Year, groups of lions perform from door to
door at residences or offices. The lion performance the “Picking the
greens” 菜青 to usher an auspicious new year. The lion during such
performances are also associated with Nian 年, the mythical creature
who is frightened away with firecrackers and red color during the
Chinese New year.

See: Chinese New Year eve at Thian Hock Keng

Welcoming a VIP

The Lions are often invited to welcome a VIP or guest of honor at a

banquet or meeting. When the drum or gongs start playing, it signals
the approach of the VIP. The lion dance performance begins when the
VIP alights from his car or appears at the front gate. The lions
accompany the VIP from the arrival point to the VIP table or the stage.
Such welcome ceremonies are used in both traditional occasions as
well as by corporations to give foreign visitors an interesting and
unique experience.

Ground breaking ceremony / Opening ceremony

Lion dance performances are also found at ground breaking

ceremonies of buildings and institutions. The performances create a
joyous mood for an important and significant occasion.

In this function, lion dances witness and usher many important

occasions and events of a society.

Festive / religious events

During major religious events, lion dance performances are arranged

for ritual purposes and also to create a festive and joyous mood. These
events quickly attract people around the area especially tourists and
children to enjoy the performance.

In Chinatowns around the world, the lion dance is always

associated with Chinese New Year celebration.

Copy frm www.chinatownlogy.com