Lion Dance

What is Lion Dance?
According to records, the Lion Dance dates back more than 2000 years. Although Lions are not indigenous to China, they may have been offered as gifts by foreign traders from Persia and India via the "Silk Road." One Chinese legend tells of a lion who was driven mad to scare off a monster that was terrorizing villagers. For these reasons the lion has been associated with good fortune and prosperity in China. To have the Lion Dance performed at a function or for ones benefit, is considered a good omen.

Many Chinese celebrations start with a Lion Dance. The dance is believed to scare away evil spirits and to bring good luck. Two dancers are required to act as the lion; one operates the head ,while the other functions as the tail. Both cooperate in a puppeteer performance to bring the Lion to life. The drummer guides the tempo of the performance, along with the cymbal and gong players. Their loud, rhythmic beat aids in driving away the evil forces.

There are several types of performances. One involves special tricks and stunts for the collection of laycee or "Lucky Money". The other is called "eating the green," which is symbolic for feeding the beast. This is when the Lion cautiously approaches oranges and a head of lettuce specially arranged on the floor as an offering. To the rhythms of the drum, the lion accepts the offerings and proceeds to eat them. Then he spits out the remainder and kicks lettuce, making it explode and rain on the spectators.

The Lion is considered the "soul" of the Kung Fu school and most traditional schools have the Lion Dance as part of their program. By using steps and movements found in many Kung Fu forms, it demonstrates the skill, strength and spirit of the school.

Lion Dance - 20th Anniversary