What Exactly Is the Chinese Lion Dance?

Lion Dancing is a traditional Chinese Martial Arts Performance in which two people put on a costume that resembles a lion. This performance is accompanied by Chinese percussion instruments. The instrumental accompaniment consists of a drum, cymbals and a gong. The beat of the instruments is meant to coordinate with the movements of the dancers. The quality of the performance hinges on everyone working as a team.

Is This Gung Fu?

Our Warrior Spirit Martial Arts Academy Lion Dance Team is made up of students from our Wu Shen Pai Chu’an Fa Gung Fu program.  Lion dancing and Gung Fu have always been practiced together.  Lion Dancing requires skill, coordination, and endurance.  Strong stances and balance are a prerequisite to playing the lion well.  In fact, a Kwoon’s strength is considered to be represented by the strength of their Lion Dancing. 

The legend of the origin of the lion dance is a very interesting one. The legend states that over a thousand years ago, the emperor of China had a dream one night in which a strange looking animal saved his life. He was not sure what type of animal it was, so the next morning, the emperor described the dream to his advisors. One of the members of his entourage said to the emperor, that he believed that the strange animal that he described could be a Western lion.  However, no one knew what a lion looked like exactly and so the emperor commissioned that a lion be created out of paper mache, and that people would simulate the movements of the lion.

Good Fortune For All

Since that time, the lion and the lion dance have become a symbol of good luck throughout China.  During the Chinese new year lion dance teams are contracted by store and other businesses to perform in order to chase away bad luck.  Also, many Chinese couples planning to marry, contract lion dance teams to perform at their wedding for the same reason.  The Chinese lion dance is also good for other special occasions like birthdays and parties.  The lion dance brings good luck and fortune everywhere it is performed.

Book Your Performance Today!

Performance fees depend on the venue.  The fee ranges between $300 to $1000 for a 10 to 20 minute performance consisting of either Lion Dance (1 lion), Martial Arts Demonstration or a combination of both.  Proceeds from our Lion Dance Team and Demonstration Team Performances go to benefit our Kids At Risk Scholarship Program!

To Book Your Lion Dance Performance email Sisook Ellis, our Lion Dance Team Coordinator at Sifu.Ellis@ikks.net

To Book Your Demonstration Team Performance email Sigung Robert Jones, our Demonstration Team Coordinator at sigung@ikks.net