History of Lion Dance

The Lion Dance is a Chinese tradition with more than 3000 years history. There's few tales of the fabrication of Lion Dance. One of the tales is about a beast was attacking a small village in China. In order to keep the beast away, villagers thought out an idea which was fabricating a costume that similar as the beast for dancing and playing with accompany of loud instruments like drum, cymbals and fireworks. The tactic was successfully scared the beast away  and it never return to the village again. Since then, Lion Dance is inherited as a performance to to bring good fortune, happiness and felicity.

About the Lion Dance
Chinese Lion Dance has two types, the Northern style and the older Southern style. There will be 2 performers control a lion, a drummer,2 cymbals players, and a "Gong" player are taking roles in Lion

 


Dancing. They play instruments in accordance to the movement of the lion. Besides that, a Big-Headed Buddha (Dai Tao Fatt) will be carrying a fan and playing or irritating the lion. It will guide

 

the lion to the green lettuce and red packet with money inside (ang pao). The lion will chew up the green lettuce and split it out and Chinese called it as "Choy Cheng" while the ang pao is a gift for the lion. Those actions are signs of blessing for an occasions or festival  and they are also  symbolizing good fortune, happiness and prosperity.