During Chinese New Year, it’s thought that the longer the dragon, the more luck (and, historically, the more rain for the upcoming harvest season) will be brought to the community. ADVERTISEMENT To spot the dragon dance, watch for a large team of dancers who maneuver a long, serpentine body held aloft on poles with a dragon head and tail at 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). Do you know your dragon dance from your lion dance? (Picture: Getty) February 16 marks the start of the Chinese New Year in 2018 – the Year of the Dog – with celebrations around the world A Chinese dragon. Chinese New Year Dragon Dances. Dragon dances are an important part of the Chinese New Year celebrations. Along with lion dances, they are often the highlight of Chinese New Year parades. From Chinese New Year's Day to the Lantern Festival, dragon dances can be seen in many places in China and Chinatowns around the world. They Beyond the stage, during the Chinese New Year, lion dance troupes embark on a customary journey, visiting homes and shops within the Asian community for the ritual of “cai qing” (採青), translating to plucking the greens.” Here, the lion engages with auspicious green lettuce, often hung on a pole or placed on a table, symbolizing fortune. People perform lion dances at Chinese festivals or big occasions to bring good fortune and chase away evil spirits. The lion dance is one of the most important traditions at Chinese New Year. It is performed to bring prosperity and good luck for the upcoming year. The lion dance is also a way to create a festive atmosphere and bring happiness. The lion dance and the dragon dance are two different dances performed as part of Chinese new year celebrations. In the lion dance, two performers hidden inside the brightly-colored costume of a lion perform a choreographed, martial arts-like series of steps. Chinese artists leap from pedestals as they perform a traditional lion dance marking the Lunar New Year of the Snake in the Chinatown area of Yangon, Myanmar, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Thein Zaw) The Lion Dance vs. the Dragon Dance. While both the Lion Dance and Dragon Dance are iconic Chinese cultural performances, they are distinct in their symbolism, performance styles, and the roles they play in celebrations. The Lion Dance: As discussed, the Lion Dance symbolizes strength, courage, and the ability to ward off evil spirits. It One of the staples of Lunar New Year celebrations around the world is the lion dance. (SOUNDBITE OF DRUMS) HUANG: Two people dressed in a long, colorful lion costume are dancing in lockstep with Chinese New Year is just around the corner! Do your students know the difference between a Lion Dance and a Dragon Dance? Many people confuse the two. 2. How Lion Dance Enhances Chinese New Year Celebrations. A lion dance performance brings excitement, meaning, and tradition to any Chinese New Year celebration. For Families. Lion dances are a feast for the senses, captivating audiences of all ages. Lion dance VS dragon dance : what are the differences? The lion dance features specialized dancers with expertise in martial arts dressing in a roaring costume, physically and energetically. On the contrary, the dragon dance has a more suave and relaxed appearance; it’s also done with more than two performers. Today, people operate the Lion Dance with loud drums and clashing cymbals to help chase away bad spirits and bring in good luck, fortune, and blessings for the year ahead. The Northern Lion Dance VS. Southern Lion Dance The Northern Lion Dance and Southern Lion Dance are two different styles of lion dance that come from different regions of China. During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), the lion and dragon dances took their present form and gained popularity. They became integral parts of festivals, especially the Chinese New Year, and have remained a significant cultural tradition in China to this day. 1.3 The Art of Lion and Dragon Dance Today what is the significance of the lion dance during chinese new year chinese new year dragon head costume. The lion dance is one of the most important traditions at Chinese New Year. It is performed to bring prosperity and good luck for the upcoming year. The lion dance is also a way to create a festive atmosphere and bring happiness. During the Chinese New Year, the streets of Hong Kong turn into grounds for traditional Lion and Dragon Dances. A sight not to be missed! Lions may not be one of the four mythological creatures in Chinese culture, but it is considered an important creature in Chinese mythology. Like the dragon and phoenix, you’ll find them incorporated in Chinese architecture. You’ll usually find their statues standing guard at the doors of many Chinese buildings. In Chinese New Year, a dance The Lunar New Year ends with the lantern festival, signaled by the arrival of dancers. The most impressive is the Dragon Dance featuring a long serpentine dragon hoisted by many people. The other dance featured at the Lunar New Year is the Lion Dance, in which two acrobatic or martial arts trained people to delight the audience with their
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