Lion Dance

Lion dance-- southern form(舞狮--南派)

The lion, in Chinese eyes, is king of the animals, a symbol of strength, courage and good fortune. In traditional festivals like the Spring Festival and on joyous occasions including weddings and inaugurations, people imitate lions in the lion dance to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck. The dance is performed by a symbolic lion or lions accompanied by three musical instruments – drum, gong and cymbal. Movements and rhythm are coordinated, and each of the lion's actions is associated with its own particular beat. Variations and elaborations on the basic beats keep the dance complex and the audience transfixed. All over the world it is recognized as representative of Chinese culture.

Lion dance

    Over its thousand-year history, the performance developed two genres – the northern and southern lion dances. The northern version is popular in its home territory, which includes Beijing, Hebei and Shanxi provinces, while its counterpart prevails in the south, centered on the traditions of Guangdong Province. The northern lion is simpler and similar to the real animal; the southern lion is nonrepresentational in its appearance.

    In both of the northern and southern forms, the lion dance can be performed by two people in one costume with a large head, followed by a long garment of colorful cloth decorated with strings, tassels and bells. One performer holds a lion's head with both hands and his legs move to imitate a lion's front legs. Another performer crouches at the lion's tail and his legs play the hind legs of the animal. The dancers wear clothes that match the color and design of the lion head, usually red, orange and golden. 

    In northern form, a red knot on the head indicates a male lion and a green one represents a female. In southern form, enormous eyes and a mirror on the forehead are chief characteristics – demons are believed to be scared of the reflection of a mirror. The lion dance can also be performed by individual dancers to play a small lion.

The northern lion dance(北派舞狮)

    The northern lion dance used to be an entertainment for imperial families in the past and so often mimics gentle and frolicking lions in joyful play with each other. Generally, the lions tumble about in pairs or as a family unit, displaying an array of stunts such as balancing on a giant rolling ball or climbing up a pole. Not surprisingly the coordination and athletics required for this call for superior acrobatic skills.

The performance style of southern lion dance is based on the martial arts, making it quite different from the northern genre. It's the martial arts background that renders dancers capable of executing the most challenging movements. Hence, the southern lion dance is usually performed by kung fu players.     

    The lead dancer plays the most important part in the performance since in addition to making his dance moves he must operate some levers inside the lion's head to open and close its eyes and mouth or twist and flap its ears. The lion's head, with its movable ears, eyelids and mouth, is vividly expressive. Performers often start the show with imitating a sleepy lion which stumbles and soon falls into sleep. But bothered by a flea, it then wakes up, scratches, sniffs and begins to play with the audience. During the interaction with the crowd, performers dance in freestyle footwork without a standard set of steps. Nevertheless, the footwork is still derived from a lion's movements and shows the buoyancy and precision of kung fu.  

The southern Lion dance(南派舞狮)

    The lion dance is mobile and as dancers and band pass and play outside shops and restaurants, the audience, especially business owners, traditionally "feed" the lion with red envelopes containing money, believing this will bring prosperity to their business. It is also, of course, a reward for the performers' hard work.

    In some areas, the custom is to feed the lion with lettuce that contains some money. This is called "pick the greens." The excited crowd hangs the lettuce high on a long stick and holds it in front of the lion as if to tempt it to jump. The lion tries its best to get the treat and this introduces the feat the audience is waiting for: the dancer in the rear raises the other one up to snatch the lettuce prize. Sometimes, the lettuce is so high that all members in the dance troupe will participate in the performance. Dozens of people form a human pyramid and only the most skillful martial artist is able to reach the lettuce while animating the heavy lion head.

    Having got the lettuce in its mouth, the lion swallows the red envelope but spits out the vegetable, scattering the leaves over the cheerful crowd, symbolizing that blessings are in stall for all. In the end, the performer also unfurls a scroll expressing best wishes written in Chinese calligraphy. If the music has been loud and the firecrackers effective, evil spirits are driven away and good fortune has a clear path.

    Today's lion dance is a folk art that integrates acrobatics and martial arts together while attaching more importance to the artistry in the lion's expression. In 2006, lion dance was approved as a national intangible cultural heritage by the Chinese government. Chinese immigrant communities also contribute a great deal to keeping this art alive by maintaining the tradition while living abroad. Quite a few foreigners have been impressed by it and taken a personal interest in learning the dance. Lion dance competitions are held in countries all over the world.  

from ChinaToday