Lion Dance
Updated: 2005-01-19

The Lion Dance is one of the most widely spread folk dance in China. Lion is the king of animals. In Chinese tradition, lion is regarded as a mascot, which can bring good luck. The dance has a long history with records of more than 2,000 years ago. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the Lion Dance was already introduced into the royal family of the dynasty.

In the Lion Dance, two people act as a lion; one waving the lion head and the other waving the lion body and tail; or one performer acts as a cub. Another person is needed to hold a silk ball to play with the lion.

Skill is the most important thing while performing the Lion Dance. After more than 2,000 years of development, there are various Lion Dances. It's one of most popular programs of dance and acrobatics troupes today.

When it is the Lantern Festival or other festive occasions, people often organize lion dance to add to the fun. If well performed, the lion dance is believed to bring luck and happiness.

  Types by Style

The performance is divided into Wenshi (civil lion) and Wushi (martial lion) according to the performing styles. Wenshi depicts the images of a lion, which is docile and funny. It scratches, licks or dozes off. In some areas, the lion player wears a mask. For instance, there are the Luohan (Arhat) Playing with Lion in Sichuan and Hunan provinces and the Laughing Monk Playing with Lion in Shaanxi Province.

Wushi portrays the power of the lion. Besides the usual jumping, falling and tumbling, performers will also show their excellent techniques by climbing upon a high table or by stepping on five wooden stakes. For instance, the Gaotai (High Terrace) Lion Dance of Sichuan Province has to be performed on seven high tables, which makes the performance highly difficult. In recent years, the Lion Dance in Beijing combined the advantages of others to become a new style.
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