lion dance

Costumed cat performance

A lion dance is a traditional Chinese performance in which dancers wear an elaborate lion costume and mimic the animal's movements, typically accompanied by drums, cymbals, and gongs.

Performed during Lunar New Year and other celebrations, the dance is believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.

Two dancers usually operate the costume—one controlling the head, the other the body.

The lion dance wound through Chinatown, pausing at each shop for a red envelope.

culture

Lunar New Year

Festival marking moon-calendar's beginning

Chinese New YearEast Asian lunar celebration
heritageInherited cultural legacy
traditionCustom passed through generations

custom · ancestry · Cantonese · Hokkien · Vietnamese · Korean · diaspora · Chinatown · lineage · martial arts

celebration

prosperity

Good fortune, success

fortuneWealth or destiny
luckChance affecting outcomes
blessingPrayer seeking divine favor

auspicious · parade · festival · fiesta · gala · spectacle · fanfare · procession · merrymaking · revelry

symbolism

guardian

Protective caretaker of another

protectorOne who safeguards others
blessingPrayer seeking divine favor
wardingDefending against approach

evil spirits · fortune · good luck · awakening · lettuce · offering · red · gold · Buddha · Laughing Buddha

performance

acrobatics

Skilled physical feats

troupeTraveling group of performers
drummingPercussive rhythm-making
cymbalsClashing metal percussion

costumes · choreography · rehearsal · timing · synchronization · stunt · leap · agility · coordination · balance

costume

head

Uppermost body part

tailRear animal appendage
furAnimal body hair
sequinsSmall reflective fabric ornaments

mirror · fabric · frame · bamboo · papier-mâché · eyes · mouth · ears · horn · bells

lion dance

Lunar New Year

prosperity

guardian

acrobatics

head

lion dance

Opposites

Categories

Family