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The Lion Dance
The most spectacular event of the Chinese New Year festivities must surely be the Lion Dance. Lion dances take place throughout the first few days of the Chinese New Year, and bring good luck to the households or businesses which they visit.
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The
Lion Dance |
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The most spectacular event
of the Chinese New Year festivities must surely be
the Lion Dance. Lion dances take place throughout the
first few days of the Chinese New Year, and bring good
luck to the households or businesses which they visit. |
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| The Lion Dance itself is
performed by two 'dancers' one at the head and one
at the tail of the lion. Careful observation of the
Lion Dance will show that it is in fact a very careful
demonstration of stylized movements performed by skilled
performers (generally from a martial arts school or
acrobatic company). To enhance the 'life' of the lion,
the eyelids, mouth and ears of the Lion's head all
move. |
| The dance is accompanied
by loud music played on large drum, gong and cymbals.
The use of firecrackers, drums, gongs and cymbals are
related to the role of the lion in dispelling evil
and bringing good luck - evil being afraid of loud
noise. |
| The dramatic climax of the
Lion Dance is the Choi Cheng or 'Picking the Green'.
The green here refers to vegetable leaves which are
tied to a piece of string which also has a red packet
attached containing money. The string is hung above
the door of the house or business, and the lion 'eats'
both leaves and red packet. Lying on the floor the
leaves are 'chewed' by the dragon while the musicians
play a dramatic rolling crescendo. The lull is broken
as the lion explodes back into activity while spitting
out the leaves. This is a symbolic act of blessing
by the lion, with the spitting out of the leaves signifying
that there will be an abundance of everything in the
coming year. |
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