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Lion Dance
2008.02.21
Lion dance (simplified Chinese: 舞狮; traditional Chinese: 舞獅; pinyin: wǔshī) is a form of traditional dance in Chinese culture, in which performers mimic a lion's movements in a lion costume
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Lion dance (simplified Chinese: 舞狮; traditional Chinese: 舞獅; pinyin: wǔshī) is a form of traditional dance in Chinese culture, in which performers mimic a lion's movements in a lion costume
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The lion costume is operated by a pair of dancers.
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The lion costume is operated by a pair of dancers.
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The dancers combine forming the back and fore legs of the beast, mimicing the motions of a single animal by operating the eyes and moving the headpiece.
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The dancers combine forming the back and fore legs of the beast, mimicing the motions of a single animal by operating the eyes and moving the headpiece.
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During the Chinese New Year, lion dancers from martial art school will visit the store front of businesses to "choi chang" (採青 lit. picking the greens). The business would tie a red envelope filled with money to a head of lettuce and hang it high above the front door.
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During the Chinese New Year, lion dancers from martial art school will visit the store front of businesses to "choi chang" (採青 lit. picking the greens). The business would tie a red envelope filled with money to a head of lettuce and hang it high above the front door.
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The lion will approach the lettuce like a curious cat, consume the lettuce and spit out the leaves but not the money. The lion dance is supposed to bring good luck and fortune to the business and the dancers receive the money as reward. The tradition becomes a mutual transaction.
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The lion will approach the lettuce like a curious cat, consume the lettuce and spit out the leaves but not the money. The lion dance is supposed to bring good luck and fortune to the business and the dancers receive the money as reward. The tradition becomes a mutual transaction.
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Nowadays, the businesses do not demand much from the performers, and it is easy money for the martial art schools. In the old days, the lettuce was hung 15 to 20 feet above ground and only a well-trained martial artists could reach the money while dancing with a heavy lion head.
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Nowadays, the businesses do not demand much from the performers, and it is easy money for the martial art schools. In the old days, the lettuce was hung 15 to 20 feet above ground and only a well-trained martial artists could reach the money while dancing with a heavy lion head.
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The dance is traditionally accompanied by cymbals, a singular gong, drums and firecrackers. The instruments play beats which the lion responds too and wards off bad luck.
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The dance is traditionally accompanied by cymbals, a singular gong, drums and firecrackers. The instruments play beats which the lion responds too and wards off bad luck.
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Firecrackers strung on a long fused string so it can be hung down. Each firecracker is rolled up in red papers, as red is auspicious, with gunpowders in its core.
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Firecrackers strung on a long fused string so it can be hung down. Each firecracker is rolled up in red papers, as red is auspicious, with gunpowders in its core.
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Once ignited, the firecracker lets out a loud popping noise and as they are usually strung together by the hundreds, the firecrackers are known for its deafening explosions that it is thought to scare away evil spirits.
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Once ignited, the firecracker lets out a loud popping noise and as they are usually strung together by the hundreds, the firecrackers are known for its deafening explosions that it is thought to scare away evil spirits.
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It is only during CNY, you can see a lot of lion dance been performed everywhere.
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It is only during CNY, you can see a lot of lion dance been performed everywhere.
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(Photos taken by my colleague)
Today is also the fifteenth and final day of the Lunar New Year period as celebrated by Chinese communities. It is otherwise known as Chap Goh Mei
The occasion is marked by feasting and various festivities, including the consumption of tangyuan (glutinous rice balls). In traditional Chinese culture, it is also celebrated as the Lantern Festival or the Shang Yuan Festival. In Southeast Asia, however, it coincides with the Chinese Valentine's Day. It is also when young unmarried women gather to toss tangerines into the sea, in a hope that their future spouse will pick it up – a custom that originated in Penang, Malaysia. In the past, this was also the only day that unmarried ladies could be seen with their partners.
Happy Chap Goh Mei!
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Comments
Great set. I´ve like to known the history of the lion dance. In 2006 I saw it in London.
