Lion Dance
Although lions are not native to China, lions and the tradition of lion dancing have been a part of Chinese
culture and history for thousands of years. Chinese Lions bear little resemblance to real lions, and are
portrayed as peaceful creatures that possess nobility and dignity. They symbolize strength, courage and
wisdom.
Lion Dance is an exciting addition to any occasion or ceremony. It is a great form of entertainment for
cultural events, store openings, wedding banquets and parades.
culture and history for thousands of years. Chinese Lions bear little resemblance to real lions, and are
portrayed as peaceful creatures that possess nobility and dignity. They symbolize strength, courage and
wisdom.
Lion Dance is an exciting addition to any occasion or ceremony. It is a great form of entertainment for
cultural events, store openings, wedding banquets and parades.
Our professional troupe can customize a performance for
you at very reasonable prices. We guarantee that your
audience will be amazed!
To arrange bookings in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
or to answer any questions you may have, feel free to
contact us:
Gordon Wong protoss_zealot88@hotmail.com
Kenneth Yeung kenny2x4@hotmail.com
you at very reasonable prices. We guarantee that your
audience will be amazed!
To arrange bookings in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
or to answer any questions you may have, feel free to
contact us:
Gordon Wong protoss_zealot88@hotmail.com
Kenneth Yeung kenny2x4@hotmail.com
Copyright 2006-2008 KUNGFUBROTHERS.COM All Rights Reserved
 |
KUNGFUBROTHERS.COM
KUNGFUBROTHERS.COM
There are several legends of the origin of the
Lion Dance. This is the one that we love the
best:
1500 years ago, there was a mountain side
village in China that was being tormented by a
ferocious creature called the Nian. The Nian
was a scaly beast, resembling a cross
between a dragon and a lion, with a single
horn on its head. On the 15th of each lunar
month, the Nian would come down from its
home on top of the mountain to prey on the
villagers. People were obviously terrified, and
would lock themselved indoors before sunset
on the days of its coming.
On the 15th of the coldest lunar month of the
year, a wandering Buddhist monk entered the
village. Curious about why the streets were
bare, he knocked on the door of a basket
weaver to see what was happening. The old
basket lady told him the story of the monster
and of how her grandchildren were eaten by
the Nian. The Monk consoled the lady and
devised a plan to rid the village of the
monster.
In the freezing cold of that moonless night, the
Nian appeared. As it took its first step into the
village, the villagers burst out from the homes,
beating on pots and pans, shouting, and
swinging fiery torches. Out of the old lady's
home emerged another creature resembling
the Nian, however far more colourful. The
Monk had modified one of the old lady's
baskets to create the first "Lion" costume.
Holding the basket head up high, the Monk
leapt up in the air, kicked his legs and
charged at the Nian. The Nian retreated in
fear, never to return.
To commemorate the Monk's triumph over the
Nian, the villagers would annually dance in
the streets with elaborately decorated Lion
costumes while beating on drums and gongs,
and thus was how the Lion Dance tradition
began. A Monk character, "Happy Buddha" is
also sometimes featured as part of the Lion
Dance in recognition of the Monk's role in
vanquishing the Nian.
Lion Dance. This is the one that we love the
best:
1500 years ago, there was a mountain side
village in China that was being tormented by a
ferocious creature called the Nian. The Nian
was a scaly beast, resembling a cross
between a dragon and a lion, with a single
horn on its head. On the 15th of each lunar
month, the Nian would come down from its
home on top of the mountain to prey on the
villagers. People were obviously terrified, and
would lock themselved indoors before sunset
on the days of its coming.
On the 15th of the coldest lunar month of the
year, a wandering Buddhist monk entered the
village. Curious about why the streets were
bare, he knocked on the door of a basket
weaver to see what was happening. The old
basket lady told him the story of the monster
and of how her grandchildren were eaten by
the Nian. The Monk consoled the lady and
devised a plan to rid the village of the
monster.
In the freezing cold of that moonless night, the
Nian appeared. As it took its first step into the
village, the villagers burst out from the homes,
beating on pots and pans, shouting, and
swinging fiery torches. Out of the old lady's
home emerged another creature resembling
the Nian, however far more colourful. The
Monk had modified one of the old lady's
baskets to create the first "Lion" costume.
Holding the basket head up high, the Monk
leapt up in the air, kicked his legs and
charged at the Nian. The Nian retreated in
fear, never to return.
To commemorate the Monk's triumph over the
Nian, the villagers would annually dance in
the streets with elaborately decorated Lion
costumes while beating on drums and gongs,
and thus was how the Lion Dance tradition
began. A Monk character, "Happy Buddha" is
also sometimes featured as part of the Lion
Dance in recognition of the Monk's role in
vanquishing the Nian.
Legend of the Lion Dance
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Types of Chinese Lions
Chinese Lions are divided into
two major categories: Northern
and Southern.
Northern Lions look very much
like smiling dogs with long yellow
and orange hair and golden
faces.
Southern Lions are further
divided into Fut Shan Style and
Hok Shan Style.
The Hok Shan Style Lion has a
flat wide mouth that resembles a
duck bill.
two major categories: Northern
and Southern.
Northern Lions look very much
like smiling dogs with long yellow
and orange hair and golden
faces.
Southern Lions are further
divided into Fut Shan Style and
Hok Shan Style.
The Hok Shan Style Lion has a
flat wide mouth that resembles a
duck bill.
Northern Lion
Hok Shan Lion
The Fut Shan Style Lion has a curved mouth and long tail.
Traditional Fut Shan Lions come in colourings representing
the famous Three Kingdom generals: Liu Bei (Yellow),
Guan Gung (Red) and Zhang Fei (Black).
Traditional Fut Shan Lions come in colourings representing
the famous Three Kingdom generals: Liu Bei (Yellow),
Guan Gung (Red) and Zhang Fei (Black).
Liu Bei
Guan Gung
Zhang Fei
Modern Lions come in a wide
variety of colours, including
those decorated with dazzling
laser paper. Modern lions
made in Malaysia are
considered the best, due to
their spectacular detailing,
compact structure and light
weight.
variety of colours, including
those decorated with dazzling
laser paper. Modern lions
made in Malaysia are
considered the best, due to
their spectacular detailing,
compact structure and light
weight.
Modern Lion with Laser Paper
Features of the Lion
Two symbolic features of lion heads are the mirror on its forehead, and the
red ribbon tied to its horn.
Mirrors are commonly used in Chinese culture to ward off evil spirits. It is
believed that spirits travel in straight lines, and thus when one comes face
to face with its own reflection, it will be frightened and reflected away.
Legend has it that the Lion was one of the Nine Sons of the Dragon and
dwelt in the heavens. Being a Lion in heaven is not easy, because
everyone up there follows a vegetarian diet. The hungry lion would dream
of dining on meat, day-in and day-out. One day, while lounging in the
sacred garden of the Western Heaven, he spotted a monkey frolicking in a
peach tree, his temptation became too powerful, he leapt up high snatching
his jaws at the tasty looking monkey, clawed at the trunk of the sacred tree,
violently tearing whole strips of bark and wood away. The Jade Emperor,
ruler over all in Heaven and on Earth, had no choice but to order capital
punishment on the Lion for his complete disregard for the laws of heaven,
and so had the Lion's head chopped off and both head and body cast
down to earth. The Goddess of Mercy "Guan Yin" felt compassion toward
the Lion and reattached his head with an enchanted red ribbon. Guan Yin
explained that as she had shown compassion to the Lion, the Lion must in
turn show compassion towards all living beings, and refrain from eating
meat. The enchanted red ribbon can still be seen today on the horn of the
Lion costume's head, and the Lion, in performances, still refrains from
eating meat, dining solely on....lettuce. The red ribbon symbolizes courage
and honour, and is a reminder for the Lion that he is bound to do only good
deeds.
red ribbon tied to its horn.
Mirrors are commonly used in Chinese culture to ward off evil spirits. It is
believed that spirits travel in straight lines, and thus when one comes face
to face with its own reflection, it will be frightened and reflected away.
Legend has it that the Lion was one of the Nine Sons of the Dragon and
dwelt in the heavens. Being a Lion in heaven is not easy, because
everyone up there follows a vegetarian diet. The hungry lion would dream
of dining on meat, day-in and day-out. One day, while lounging in the
sacred garden of the Western Heaven, he spotted a monkey frolicking in a
peach tree, his temptation became too powerful, he leapt up high snatching
his jaws at the tasty looking monkey, clawed at the trunk of the sacred tree,
violently tearing whole strips of bark and wood away. The Jade Emperor,
ruler over all in Heaven and on Earth, had no choice but to order capital
punishment on the Lion for his complete disregard for the laws of heaven,
and so had the Lion's head chopped off and both head and body cast
down to earth. The Goddess of Mercy "Guan Yin" felt compassion toward
the Lion and reattached his head with an enchanted red ribbon. Guan Yin
explained that as she had shown compassion to the Lion, the Lion must in
turn show compassion towards all living beings, and refrain from eating
meat. The enchanted red ribbon can still be seen today on the horn of the
Lion costume's head, and the Lion, in performances, still refrains from
eating meat, dining solely on....lettuce. The red ribbon symbolizes courage
and honour, and is a reminder for the Lion that he is bound to do only good
deeds.
Guan Yin & the Lion