Chinese Lion Dance
The Lion Dance is an ancient Chinese folk dance that symbolizes happiness and good luck. You might notice that the Lion Costume looks more like a dragon than a lion, an error commonly made. The reason for the stylized lion is there are no lions native to China, however there were great stories told of the fantastic beast found in far away lands, and thus the mythological animal was created by those who had never seen a lion, and had heard only the stories of others. Since there are several different legends surrounding the Chinese Lion Dance, one can only speculate about the true origin of this art form. According to one legend, the Lion Dance was created to combat a dreadful creature that supposedly brought havoc and destruction to a rice framing community. In order to frighten the evil enemy away, they constructed an awesome-looking figure called the lion, which they had heard about in stories. They successfully scared their enemy with loud noises and their colorful lion costume, and thus the Lion Dance has become a symbol of good luck, and a chaser-away of evil spirits.
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The Costume
The lion costume has two performers inside, the head and tail. The costume head is usually made from paper Mache and bamboo, which is elaborately decorated. A length of cloth, equally colorful, represents the body and tail of the lion. The color of the lion indicates it’s age. A multi-colored lion with a long white beard, for instance, represents a mature lion. It symbolizes age, respect and a tranquil nature. The black lion, however, is a young animal suggesting youth, aggressiveness and vitality. |
The Dance
The Lion Dance requires great agility and endurance. The lion’s head is quite heavy and cumbersome, so the dancer needs strength to perform the dance for any length of time. In addition to moving around vigorously, the lead dancer must manipulate the head’s eyes, ears and mouth to bring the lion to life. The dancer in the tail must also possess special skills. They have to stay in a low, crouched position, work the tail and simulate breathing of the lion, and follow movements of the lead dancer. Kung Fu stances and intricate foot patterns are the basis for the movements of the lion. The goal of the lion dancer is to imitate the movements of the lion as close as possible. Lion Dances follow natural behaviors such as playing, sleeping, and eating. Emotions such as being happy, angry or suspicious must also be portrayed by movements.
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The effectiveness of the Lion Dance also greatly depends on the skill of the musicians that play the Chinese drums, gong and cymbals. The drummer must be familiar with all aspects of the lion’s behavior, adjusting his beat to the drastically changing actions of the lion. Another important role is the servant of Buddha, who acts as the lion’s guide. This person wears a huge round mask, that has a big smile painted on and is quite comical. He teases and plays with the lion, guiding it around dangerous spots and leads it to the food or offering. |
| In the past, the Lion Dance was a source of great prestige among Kung Fu schools. Often, the quality of kung fu was determined by the quality of the Lion Dance when rival schools would meet on the street. Of course, today the Lion Dance is seen as a folk dance, performed at Chinese holidays, parties and cultural events to bring good luck and prosperity. Our school continues this tradition for fun and entertainment, as well as it’s cultural significance. If you are interested in Fu Hok Studio performing a Chinese Lion Dance for you, please Contact Us. |
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