The Lion Dance (Part 2)
Continuing our investigations into the traditional Chinese lion dance we take a look at some of the details of the dance itself and the significance of some of the movements.
The different types of lion
[Article now reproduced on the official BKFA web site]
Lion dances can be separated into 2 distinct types:
- Northern lion
- Southern lion
The northern lion has long hair and is comparatively realistic often being golden or yellow in colour. Northern lion routines are quite acrobatic aided by the fact that the northern lion's head is lighter than its southern counterpart.
The southern lion is less realistic than the northern lion and features a brightly coloured head and body. It is not hairy like the northern lion and there are many variations on the colour theme. Actually, there are 2 types of southern lion: Hok Saan and Fut Saan. The Fut Saan lion is larger than its counterpart and Fut Saan practitioners are most often martial artists because the Fut Saan lion dance requires the use of advanced kung fu type footwork.
Nowadays southern lions come in a variety of colours. However, traditionally there were 3 basic colour schemes each with a particular significance and each representing one of 3 famous Chinese generals:
- Multi coloured face; white beard - represents General Liu Pei and signifies intelligence, bravery and kindness.
- Red face; black beard - represents the General Kwan Kung and signifies bravery, happiness, good luck and prosperity.
- Black face; black beard - represents General Chang Fei and signifies bravery and strength (the black lion is a fighting lion).
Lion heads used to be made out of bamboo and papier-mache. However modern lions can be made out of aluminium or even PVC instead of bamboo. In addition to a hinged mouth, the head also contains stings attached to the eyes and ears so the operator can give the lion a good deal of expression.
The lion dance team
The most basic lion dance team has 5 people:
- 2 members for the lion
- 1 drummer
- 1 gong player
- 1 symbol player
There is an optional 6th or even 7th member referred to as a 'funny person', 'laughing Buddha' or 'big headed Buddha'. The Buddhas (or 'daai fut') wear a painted full-head mask with a large smile and either a traditional kung fu uniform or a monk's robe. They can also have a pillow is under their clothes to give them a Buddha-like pot belly. Their job is to interact with the crowd and tease the lion with a fan or a ball.
The lion dance
The lion dance can be performed in a number of different ways but each version is based on a several basic parts or sequences. The sequences can be listed as:
- A sleeping sequence
- An opening sequence
- A playing sequence
- A searching sequence
- A fighting sequence
- An eating sequence
- A closing sequence
- A final sleeping sequence
Any given dance may vary by including or excluding one or more of the sequences but there will always be an opening sequence, an eating sequence and a closing sequence.
The sleeping sequence has three sections: sleep, waking up, and cleaning. The lion cleans each part of itself before shaking its head three times and rising. This whole sequence represents the awakening of the spirit, getting rid of the old and renewal. Having completed this section the lion embodies a state of holy purification.
During the opening sequence the lion bows 3 times as a sign of reverence. The 3 bows can be traced back to the three passes of the twelve animals in the ancient custom of cleansing the emperor's palace. If the lion has to enter a building it is usual for the lion to bow 3 times before any alter or shrine that may be present.
The playing sequence is fairly freeform and it is during this sequence that the best skills of the dancers can be demonstrated. This might involve climbing or balancing movements or playing with a ball which represents a pearl.
After playing the lion starts to search for food. This part can be quite demanding because the food is often placed in a difficult to reach location and it represents a sort of test of strength.
It is not at all uncommon for the dancers to have to climb over obstacles such as benches or poles to reach to food. In fact, tremendous athletic and acrobatic agility is required for this sequence. It is usual for the lion to jump between small platforms situated on the top of poles high above the ground and for the person playing the head to be carried by or balance on the person playing the tail.
If there is more than one lion present it would be natural for a fight to break out between the two lions, and that is what happens.
The food is usually in the form of green vegetables such as lettuce that are hanging on the end of a string. The green vegetables (or 'choi cheng' in Cantonese) are a symbol of wealth and good luck. This is a fun part because the lion, or rather the dancer in the head, takes the greens into his mouth where he shreds it. The greens are then shredded and 'spat' over the audience. It is also the part where the dance troupe gets its reward because included with the greens is a lucky red packet containing money.
It is also believed that during the Ching Dynasty underground fighters whose aim it was to restore the Ming Dynasty used this method to covertly pass messages to each other.
In the closing sequence the lion cleans himself again before bowing 3 times.
Having finished his task the lion returns to sleep.
Conclusion
So here we conclude our look at lion dancing. We have distinguished between 2 sorts of lion: northern and southern. We have also seen the makeup of the lion dancing team and how the dance is structured. I hope it comes in useful!
