Martial Arts Schools and the Lion Dance
Where there is a Chinese community, there will be a lion dance at official events such as parades, weddings, grand openings.
The uninitiated may think it strange to have a noisy lion dance as part of the entertainment.
Actually there is more to it than mere entertainment.
Traditionally a lion dance troupe is invited to bring in good luck at an auspicious event.
From the standpoint of the martial arts school, putting up a lion dance promises good income for the school.
Moreover, it is an opportunity for the school to showcase its top trainees.
The next time you watch a lion dance live or on TV, savour each move and leap.
Take in the heart-thumping drumbeats and clanging cymbals as well.
Normally, two 'lions' are present in each performance, although more or just one may participate.
The lion costume consists of a lion's head made of colourful papers over a bamboo frame.
Some bits of furry materials enhances its look.
It has a mouth that opens and closes, eyes that blink, and ears that wiggle.
A multi-coloured silk cloth seven to ten feet long forms the body or tail.
Animating the creature is the job of two males-one manipulates the head and the other the body.
The fancy footwork, arm thrusts, changes in height and speed, all shows the lion in different moods: happy, angry, sad, contented, cautious, excited, curious, and tentative.
The lion moves in sync to deafening beats from one single large drum.
Gongs and cymbals accompany in supporting roles.
When the lion's head is raised, fast music is played.
The lion moves to the beat and stops when the music stops.
Key movements, such as those leading up to stunts require music with special significance.
These beats have ritualistic meaning for attracting good luck and dispelling evil.
The lion dance at Chinese New Year always includes a head of lettuce with a red packet (envelop) for luck tied to it.
The lettuce is planted several feet high from an upper floor window for the head dancer to pluck.
This part of the dance is called Choi Ching, which literally means "pick the greens".
To reach a high hanging choi ching, the dancer stack on the shoulder of another.
The lettuce represents a medicine that had once saved a village from a deadly plague.
This is why the lion spits out or returns the lettuce instead of swallowing it.
Inside the small red packet is a gift for the martial arts school.
It ranges from a few hundred dollars to thousands from big corporations.
Lion dancing is the ultimate workout for martial arts students.
It strengthens the body, improves rhythm and invokes creativity.
The dance (literally means 'manipulation') requires strong stances and powerful waist movements to animate the lion.
Traditionally, lion dance is a way for martial arts schools to show off their pugilistic skills in a competitive but non-combative manner.
Good teams excite the crowd and attract new students sign ups.
So the next time you watch a lion dance, think of it as an invitation to join the martial arts school.
The uninitiated may think it strange to have a noisy lion dance as part of the entertainment.
Actually there is more to it than mere entertainment.
Traditionally a lion dance troupe is invited to bring in good luck at an auspicious event.
From the standpoint of the martial arts school, putting up a lion dance promises good income for the school.
Moreover, it is an opportunity for the school to showcase its top trainees.
The next time you watch a lion dance live or on TV, savour each move and leap.
Take in the heart-thumping drumbeats and clanging cymbals as well.
Normally, two 'lions' are present in each performance, although more or just one may participate.
The lion costume consists of a lion's head made of colourful papers over a bamboo frame.
Some bits of furry materials enhances its look.
It has a mouth that opens and closes, eyes that blink, and ears that wiggle.
A multi-coloured silk cloth seven to ten feet long forms the body or tail.
Animating the creature is the job of two males-one manipulates the head and the other the body.
The fancy footwork, arm thrusts, changes in height and speed, all shows the lion in different moods: happy, angry, sad, contented, cautious, excited, curious, and tentative.
The lion moves in sync to deafening beats from one single large drum.
Gongs and cymbals accompany in supporting roles.
When the lion's head is raised, fast music is played.
The lion moves to the beat and stops when the music stops.
Key movements, such as those leading up to stunts require music with special significance.
These beats have ritualistic meaning for attracting good luck and dispelling evil.
The lion dance at Chinese New Year always includes a head of lettuce with a red packet (envelop) for luck tied to it.
The lettuce is planted several feet high from an upper floor window for the head dancer to pluck.
This part of the dance is called Choi Ching, which literally means "pick the greens".
To reach a high hanging choi ching, the dancer stack on the shoulder of another.
The lettuce represents a medicine that had once saved a village from a deadly plague.
This is why the lion spits out or returns the lettuce instead of swallowing it.
Inside the small red packet is a gift for the martial arts school.
It ranges from a few hundred dollars to thousands from big corporations.
Lion dancing is the ultimate workout for martial arts students.
It strengthens the body, improves rhythm and invokes creativity.
The dance (literally means 'manipulation') requires strong stances and powerful waist movements to animate the lion.
Traditionally, lion dance is a way for martial arts schools to show off their pugilistic skills in a competitive but non-combative manner.
Good teams excite the crowd and attract new students sign ups.
So the next time you watch a lion dance, think of it as an invitation to join the martial arts school.
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