Lion Dance: Tradition and Purpose
CONTENTS AND REPERTOIRE
Traditionally, lion dance performers were elite martial artists. Combining music and dance, martial arts fundamentals and philosophy, advanced athleticism and military strategy, the specialized training of the martial artist is essential in order to perform the classical lion dance.
In Chinese martial arts, the lion dance is known as the 'Dance of the Sacred Head'. While the procedure of 'getting the greens' may have had anti-political symbolism in previous times, today this step is seen as an auspicious highlight of the dance.
The word for money (qian) sounds like the word for greens. The lion in obtaining the lucky greens, then spreading them out represents fortune overflowing and abundant prosperity.
Rather than a political message, the protocol and procedure of the lion dance is now seen as a technical challenge for the players. Physical and mental fortitude, combined with endurance, specialized skill, entertaining animation and teamwork, the lion dance represents the ideal of kung fu—success gained through hard work, and the achievements made by working together.
The dance is performed by two dancers in the head and tail of the lion costume, and a team of instrument players, including one drum, gong and multiple cymbal players. Occasionally, the lion is seen accompanied by smiling Buddha with a large pink and blue head, carrying a fan. This figure serves as a jolly playmate and guide for the lion.
The team works together to perform the dance with style and flare. When all is ready, the lion starts to move according to the rhythm of the drum: fast, slow, light, heavy, the head and tail shaking, brushing their toes, scratching the fur and so on. The dancers animate the lion, imitating movements of waking from slumber, grooming, searching for food, eating and playing.
Elite teams improvise within established formats, often using props to enhance the spectacle. The better the team, the more complicated and stylized their execution. Standard routines include 'lion climbs the pagoda', 'crossing the heavenly bridge', 'lion crosses three hills', 'lion descends the mountain', 'lion exits the cave', 'lion descends the mountain', 'tumbling lion', 'lion spits out the pearl', 'lion explores the sea', 'lion crosses the broken bridge', 'lion walks on posts', and 'lion plucks the greens'. The dancers must possess excellent physical conditioning as well as team work and a sense of theatrical drama to bring out a truly excellent performance.
Many special skills are required for these routines. Certain teams specialize in a small repertoire, striving for virtuosity within their speciality. The specific type of routine used is determined by the type of puzzle presented to the lion, specific dance strategies involved and the specific occasion and social setting; for example, business inauguration, festive celebration or blessing of a home.
TRADITIONAL CUSTOMS AND ETIQUETTE
A comprehensive set of rules and conduct governs the opening of the lion dance, the protocol of the dance itself, proper courtesies expressed by team members and the lion, the rituals of entering, meeting other lion dance teams or dragon teams, welcoming guests and in changing team member positions.
The lion dance is like a novel, during which performers must adhere to proper style and etiquette, following the principles of the 'Three Courtesies, Four Customs and Five Taboos'. 1 There are over ten 'chapters', with the climax at the cai qing section. In these chapters are displayed more than thirteen special skills.
A top performer is one who perseveres and is empowered by martial arts training. He must express the spirit of the dance through the eight emotions of joy, anger, sadness, happiness, fear, doubt, excitement and calmness. Without martial skills, it would be difficult for the performers to act with appropriate flare and energy. Without martial arts, the dance is a superficial presentation, lacking depth and charisma.
FENG SHUI (GEOMANCY) AND THE LION DANCE
According to folklore, the 'good luck' lion can influence fortune and fate. The design of the Southern lion reflects this special role. On the lion's head can be seen designs of heavenly clouds and ru yi, a special jade charm that means good fortune.
Since the Tang Dynasty, a special type of lion called the Feng Shui Lion was sometimes requested by emperors to obtain a blessing from the gods. This was a very solemn and important event in the palace. When the dance was performed, it took into account the Five Universal Principles, including the five directions (East, South, West, North and Centre), five elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water), five colours (green, red, yellow, white and black) and so on. Dancing steps were executed so that respect and attention were given to balancing the Five Principles.
This is clearly recorded in many Chinese classic texts, including The Legends of the Tang and Song Dynasties , and The Amazing World of Metaphysics by Cheng Yunsheng of the Qing Dynasty.
The Feng Shui Lion was always accompanied by a parade of drums, musicians and classical dancers. Folklore describes the addition of a second lion. Two lions portrayed the principles of Yin and Yang, representing a balance of the two universal primordial energies.
In Chinese geomancy, or Feng Shui (the study of environmental forces and how it impacts human existence, health and prosperity), every variable would be analyzed and considered. This data included the specifics of the dance, date, time, location, region, season, as well as the birth data of significant individuals whom the lion dance would benefit.
A person's birth affected their fate and destiny. The individual requesting the lion dance and the dance itself must be matched so that the lion dance could serve to balance or harmonize various energetic influences that would affect one's health, fortune, and so on, somewhat like an energetic jigsaw puzzle. In order for the dance to be truly effective, calculations were made by a sage or Feng Shui expert, thus empowering both performer and recipient to benefit.
From this, one can begin to comprehend the significance of the lion dance and its wisdom in the lives and history of Chinese people, and how it affects the study of metaphysics in the oriental world.
Today, there are only a small handful of master martial artists qualified to perform the Feng Shui lion dance.
MODERN LION DANCE TRADITIONS
The lion dance is categorized into Southern and Northern styles.
Northern Lion
Lions are differentiated on the basis of physical appearance, ornamentation, culture and custom, which also affect the dancing steps. The Northern 'Peking' Lion comes from the professional performance-oriented opera and acrobatic schools. This lion is energetic, active and lively, using many jumping techniques.
The costume is full body, designed to look like a real lion, covering the dancers' legs and lower torso in shaggy yellow and orange brightly coloured fur. The dancers wear special shoes, designed to look like the clawed paws of the lion. The golden face of the lion looks like the Peking Fu Dog.
The adult northern lion is often seen with a baby cub, played by a single person. The lions play with another team member with good flexibility and gymnastics skill, who takes the role of a warrior, holding a silk covered wicker ball. This person acts as a guide or lion tamer, interacting with the lion, facilitating the transition from chapter to chapter of the lion dance in exciting style. Special tricks performed by the northern lion include climbing to heights, crossing a gap on a tight wire, walking on a large ball, and rolling a ball across the teeter-totter.
Southern Lion
The Southern Xing Shi (Waking) Lion, evolved from kung fu schools, is fierce and powerful. It is the lion most frequently seen in public performances and associated with Chinese New Year celebrations.
While the Cantonese lion is the most famous, other popular Southern Lion types are the Heshan, Fushan and Jigong Lions.
The Southern Lion design includes more mythical elements than its Northern counterpart. It has as a weighty head, single horn, moveable eyes, ears, and mouth, forehead mirror, and auspicious decoration.
The tail is open-body type, akin to a large cape worn across the dancer's back, made from brightly-coloured fabric and often containing bells and shiny coin-like discs. Across the lion's nape is the name of the school the lion represents.
The head and tail performers must work closely to execute each movement smoothly and effectively. While the Northern Lion focuses heavily on acrobatic skills, the design of the Southern lion lends itself to the emphasis on the expression of emotions.
Southern Lion Colours
Within the Southern Lion Types, there are three symbolic colours, representing heroic figures in Chinese history; sworn kung fu brothers of the Three Kingdoms Period. King Liu Bei, a courageous warlord who was humble, compassionate, generous, and wise, is represented by the multi-colour or yellow lion. With refined movements, and a long white beard, this is the most senior lion. Because of its high rank, the Liu Bei Lion is most commonly seen at auspicious occasions.
The red-faced lion with the black beard is the Guan Gong Lion, representing the famous general and judge, known for his martial skill, moral virtue and righteousness. The patron saint of Chinese martial arts, the statue of General Guan stands in every traditional kung fu school, Chinese police station, school, and business, serving as a reminder of the ethics of kung fu. Honesty, Integrity, Respect, Humility, Perseverance, Loyalty, Justice, Courage…important lessons for the individual, family and country.
The black lion with the shorter black beard and black horn, represents the courageous and impetuous General Zhang Fei, who stood with unwavering loyalty beside Liu and Guan. This lion, the youngest, is a fierce and strong warrior, ready to spring to battle at a moments notice.
There is a misconception that the black lion is an inauspicious omen of misfortune and bad luck, however this is based on ignorance and lack of understanding. In reality, all black, red and yellow lions stand out by their assertive fighting spirits and among these, the black is the most protective and capable. Thus, the black Zhang Fei Lion is commonly played by a highly skilled kung fu master who is capable of accepting real combat challenges, in or out of the lion.
Another traditional demarcation of Southern lion character is the colour and length of the beard and eyebrow fur locks. A lion with white, long beard and brows was the sign of a highly respected master, or the founder of a martial art style. A lion with black, long brows and beard was a strong young martial arts master. Finally, a lion sporting short black brows and beard indicated a young but highly aggressive lion and might be played by an aggressive, and possibly arrogant individual.
The spirit and integrity of these three heroic figures have long been an inspiring example to all Chinese martial artists. It is essential that the dancers' movements are stylistically consistent with the character of their lion.
Recent Developments
A new trend in lion dancing incorporates both Northern and Southern elements. Although lion dance is a Chinese tradition, the art has evolved since the early 1980's. Southeast Asia, particularly Singapore and Malaysia, combined with Chinese culture to create a melting pot lion dance structure.
The Southern lion was used as the basis, its tail shortened and more fur added. New colours, chosen for their visual appeal rather than traditional meaning, were created. Dancers began to incorporate difficult acrobatic manoeuvres and the dance, changing from its largely improvisational nature, became highly choreographed. The phrase, “Southern Lion with Northern Steps” describes this visually stunning approach, geared toward performance aesthetics and competition.
In addition to the Northern and Southern Style Lion Dances, other popular lion dances include those of minority cultures in China, such as the Fuzhou Green-Faced Lion and Hunan's Lion Dance; a mixture of Northern and Southern styles. Lion Dancing is further classified into scholarly, martial and ground movement types. Most dances use both scholarly and martial movements.
