Lion Dance:

American Shaolin Kung Fu has now added Lion Dancing to the school's curriculum. Details for all those interested can be obtained by speaking with Master Feng directly. Please check the Class Schedule for days and times.

Intro to Lion Dance

Lion Dance is a form of traditional dance in Chinese culture where performers mimic a lion's movements wearing a lion-like costume. It is performed accompanied by the music of beating of drums, cymbals, and gong instruments synchronised to the lion's dance movements and actions.

Lion Dances are performed for Chinese New Year as a way of welcoming good luck and success in the upcoming year. The lion dance, sometimes along with the dragon dance, is also performed at many other important grand occasions, including Chinese traditional, cultural and religious festivals, business opening events, birthday celebrations, honour guest welcoming and wedding ceremonies by the Chinese communities.

Origin of the Lion Dance

Once upon a time a monk had a dream in which there were many sorrows and evils plaguing the land. The monk prayed and asked the gods how he could prevent these evils from occurring. The gods told him that a lion would protect them and fight back the evils. The Chinese people had never see a lion before, but had heard stories that the lion was the king of all the other animals, so the monk combined all the lucky or magical animals he could think of and so made a lion.

If you look closely at any lion, you can see a red sash tied on its horn. It is told that the lion was disrespectful to the Jade Emperor. This of course caused the Jade Emperor to get very angry, so as a punishment he chopped off his horn (The source of his life) and the lion died. The Goddess of Mercy (Guan Yin) felt bad for him so she tied his horn back on with a red sash with golden leaves and chanted to the lion and he came back to life.