History of Lion Dance

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

About the Lion Dance Chinese Lion Dancing has two traditions, the Northern style and the older Southern style.

Besides of the 2 performers who control the head and tail of the lion, a drummer,

2 cymbals players, and a "Gong" player

are also 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.