The Chinese lion dance provides people with blessing and prosperity while guarding against misfortune and dispelling evil spirits. Often linked to the Chinese New Year, the lion dance may be seen on other occasions such as grand-openings, weddings, birthdays, and festivals.
Traditionally, the person or establishment who hires the lion dance troupe will hang a "chang" (a lettuce with a red envelope containing a donation) somewhere challenging to test the troupe's skill. The lion will pick the chang and spread it around, symbolizing the distribution of good fortune and wealth. With a bow tied to its horn, the lion is a gift from heaven sent here to battle malicious spirits and misfortune.
The traditional lion dance is performed by martial arts schools. However, now many troupes are no longer associated with kung fu schools. You will nevertheless recognize traces of various southern style martial arts in lion dance. The stances used, stability required, and power needed to perform an impressive lion dance can only come with tedious martial arts training.
Set to the beat of a thundering drum, crashing cymbals, and a ringing gong, the Chinese lion dance will bring good fortune, exhilaration, and entertainment.