Lion Dance ~ Chinese New Year 2011

Checking To Make Sure Its' Not Alive

Circling The Lion Looking For The Right Moment To Feed It Its' Ang Pow

First Feeding

Second Feeding Because Gaspard Backed Out

In China, dragon and lion dances have a long tradition. Whereas lion dancing as an art form dates back approximately 1,000 years, the first recorded dances actually occurred during the Han Dynasty (205 BC - 220 CE). It reached its peak during the Tang Dynasty, which is the generally accepted date of its beginning as we know it. That the lion exists in the popular mythology is unusual since lions are not native to China. They were, in fact, brought to China by Silk Road merchants hoping to sell the fabulous beasts to the emperor and his nobles. Originally, Chinese lions were inventions of the imagination. This accounts for some of the more fantastical elements of their image, such as horns. Also, since real lions are not native to China, the dancing lions have over the years taken on characteristics of the mythical dragon and phoenix.

The Origins of Lion Dancing

It isn't known exactly how lion dancing came into existence, but there are numerous stories about it. One of the most popular legends has it that a Tang Dynasty (618-906 AD) emperor awoke from a dream in which a strange looking animal had saved his life. At his council meeting the next morning, he described this beast to his ministers. One well-travelled old gentleman told the emperor that the descripion sounded like an animal he had seen in the West — a lion. Since the lion had saved the emperor's life in the dream, it quickly became a symbol of good luck throughout China. Lions, it was believed, were able to chase away evil spirits and very soon lion dancing was born.

During the Tang dynasty, the lion dance was performed in groups of five. Each lion was a different color and was followed by twelve men dressed in colorful costumes with a red band tied round the forehead and carrying a red brush. They were called 'lion-men' and they danced in tempo to the music called the 'Tai-pin' melody. Initially, the lion dance was entertainment for the nobles, but it soon spread to the army and then to the general population.