Lion Dance

Chinese lion dance ceremony dates back more than a thousand years and has always been an integral part of the Chinese culture. The lion itself is regarded as a guardian creature coming from the mountains to drive away evil spirits, bring positive and celebratory energy, and give blessings to all who are present.

Lion dances are most commonly seen at events such as Chinese New Year celebrations, banquets, weddings, and grand-openings. For these gatherings, it is widely believed that the Chinese lion dance will bring good luck, good fortunes, happiness, successes, and prosperity to the place, people, and businesses at hand.

Two performers dance the colorful paper-mache lion head and the beautifully adorned fabric-body. The movements of the lion are often active and vigorous which is always accompanied by impressive and energetic music coming from percussive instruments including a drum, cymbals, and a gong.

Depending on the purpose of the gatherings, skillful dancers can animate the lion to create various expressions to both entertain and tell a story of its presence as it carries out its job to drive away bad karma and give blessings. Chinese lion dance has deep history and many traditions within its art. Great skills and impressive tricks are demanding to learn and to master physically and mentally.

The Chinese Lion Dance and Dragon Dance are two distinctive arts, most often-confused by non-Chinese to be of the same nature. They are both celebratory and are loved to be seen at any event.