Lion Dance (wǔshī) is a traditional dance in Chines culture, whch performers mimic a lion’s movements in a lion costume. Lion dance have a close relation with Kungfu, usually the dancers are members of kungfu association.
Lion dance beside used as entertainment for the imperial court, its also to exorcise evil spirits and to summon luck and fortune.
This year, we have the lion dance on the second day of Chinese New Year (Chor Yi)… we hire 2 lion for this time, and the lion dance team was arriving right after I had my breakfast and still have time for me to setup my camera.
Everyone is ready for the show.
Here come the 2 lions.
The most important part of Lion Dance is “Choi Chang” (lit. picking the greens), The owner would tie a red envelope (Ang Pao) filled with money to a head of lettuce and hang it high above the front door. 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. The Greens will also used to challenge the troupe, where it being hanged high to create barriers.
After watched the troupes performing the great lion dance show, the kids also like to show their skill.
Beside the kids, even the adult also want to show off their lion dance kungfu… here come the “Lion-Man”.
Here the full album.
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