Ever seen the lion and dragon dances around town, and wondered what they’re about? Psst, they’re here to bring good luck, so read on and get your fix of culture (and prosperity)!
Let us quiz you: what’s one similarity between Chinese New Year and the Dragon Boat Festival? That’s right, it’s the dancing lions and dragons! Those living in Hong Kong would’ve seen the vibrant lion dance and dragon dance pop up from time to time (and chances are, you would’ve mumbled something about the “noise” under your breath). To help you better understand this intangible cultural heritage, we’re here to tell you what the fuss is all about – and why the lion dance and dragon dance are worth appreciating.
All about lion dance and dragon dance
Lion dance (舞獅) VS dragon dance (舞龍)
To begin with, can you spot the differences between the lion dance and dragon dance? Due to the fact the two often appear during celebrations with oversized masks, colourful costumes, and accompanied by traditional Chinese music, many may not have thought about their distinctions.
But, there are actually some major differences. Firstly, only two dancers are in charge of the lion dance, who remain concealed and control the costume from underneath its head and tail. Contrastingly, the dragon dance requires around a dozen performers. They hold long poles to support the serpentine costume, which is about 20 metres in length.
Because of the varying look and team sizes, the lion and dragon dances differ in style, too. The lion’s motions are often brisk and energetic, involving impressive acrobatics and martial arts. On other hand, the dragon focuses on flow, flair, and speed, thereby requiring more footwork and group coordination.
Another way to distinguish the two is that the Laughing Monk is present during the lion dance. He leads the dancers and acts as the entertainer for the crowd. On the contrary, the dragon dancers chase a ball on a stick (held up by another performer in front of the dragon) as the basis of their routine.
Story time!
Oh wait, there’s actually no exact story behind the lion dance and dragon dance, because their origins are largely unclear. However, they’ve certainly been long established since ancient China. Scholars generally believe the dragon dance dates back to the Han dynasty (some 2,000 years ago), whereas historical accounts of the lion dance emerged between the third and seventh centuries.
Symbolisms of the lion and the dragon
The dragon is one of the most iconic animals in Chinese tradition, as it represents power and prosperity. Thus, the longer the dragon is in the dragon dance, the more fortune it brings.
The lion bears similar significance to the dragon. Also, they both move according to the beat of the drums and cymbals, which are played loudly to drive away malicious spirits. These are the reasons why you’d see the dancing lion and dragon at Chinese New Year celebrations, as well as traditional weddings, festivals, new business openings, and other joyous occasions.
Different styles of the lion dance and dragon dance
The momentousness of the lion and dragon dances has made the tradition spread across the Asian diaspora. In particular, the lion dance in China is mainly divided into the northern style and the southern style. While the former features awe-inspiring kung fu techniques, the latter emphasises on the likeness between the dancing lion and a real lion. The dancing lion would sometimes scratch and shake its body, creating a more comical and vivacious sort of dance.
Catch the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance!
One of the most prominent dragon dance performances in Hong Kong is the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance. This signature event during the Mid-Autumn Festival attracts throngs of people to the neighbourhood of Tai Hang every year, starting from the 14th night of the eighth lunar month for three consecutive nights.
Make your way to Wun Sha Street and Tung Lo Wan Road in Tai Hang to witness the extraordinary spectacle of a 67-metre fire dragon being paraded by 300 performers. The giant dragon, made of over 10,000 burning incense sticks, weaves through the streets while accompanied by a smaller dragon carried by children, all dancing to the beat from traditional Chinese gongs and drums. A recognised National Intangible Cultural Heritage, this time-honoured tradition was first performed in 1880 and is a ritual to pray for the peace and safety of the local community.
Tai Hang Fire Dragon Heritage Centre, 12 School Street, Tai Hang, Hong Kong, p. 2805 0012
