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Dragon dance was originated in Han Dynasty and its popularity does not show any sign of decline after thousands of years. Dragon dance was first performed at ceremonies to offer sacrifice to the ancestors. As one of dragon's mythical attributes is in controlling the weather, especially the rain, dragon dance was performed to appease the dragon king into releasing rain onto the parched land during a drought. Dragon dance became a festive performance around Tang and Song Dynasties.
The legend about the origin of the dragon dance tells that the dragon king was once suffering from pains in his back. The medicine in the palace could not cure him. So he disguised himself as an old man and went to a doctor on the land. Surprised after feeling his pulse, the doctor asked the dragon king: "Are you a human being?" Seeing that he could not disguise himself any more, the dragon king had to tell the truth. Then the doctor asked him to change back to his original form and he could find a centipede under a scale in the dragon king's waist and removed it. After cupping the affected part to draw out the poison and applying medicine to the wound, the dragon king was soon cured. To show his gratitude, the dragon king revealed his secret to the doctor: "You'll have good weather for the crops and harvest if you make dragons like me and play with them." After the news was spread, people would make dragons and dance with them to appease the dragon king to release rain in times of drought. Later, the tradition of lion dance developed to dancing green dragon in spring, red dragon in summer, white dragon in autumn and black dragon in winter.
The Development of the Dragon
In China the dragon was historically the symbol of imperial power. The Chinese emperors referred to themselves as the Real Dragon, Son of the Heaven. In the formation of its image, features of different monstrous animals had been borrowed, combined and developed. Chinese folk stories also created other legendary animals with dragon features, which were then associated with the dragon.
During the Ming Dynasty, the dragon was depicted as having a big family. One story says that the Xiaozong Emperor, Zhu Youtang (1470-1505 AD) heard that the story of the dragon having nine sons was popular among the people but he did know what the nine sons were. On one morning audience, he inquired the Minister of Rites, Li Dongyang, who was known for his being well-read: "I heard that the dragon has nine sons, who are they?" Li Dongyang was not able to answer this question immediately asked by the Real Dragon. Later, he tried to find it out. He investigated from his colleagues and from what he knew of the folk stories, he managed to invent a list of the nine sons to satisfy the emperor's curiosity. Here is Li Dongyang's listing of the nine sons of the dragon, which feature prominently in Chinese architectural and monumental decorations.
The Baxia is a good swimmer and his image decorates many bridge piers and archways.
The Chaofeng is a lion-like beast, which likes precipices, is placed on the four corners of roofs.
The Yazi bears a likeness to a jackal with its taste for killing, thus it often appeared on sword scabbards.
The Bixi, is a tortoises-like creature capable of bearing heavy objects. It is often placed under stone steles.
The Jiaotu, resembling a spiral shell bears a likeness to a closed mouth and would be carved or painted on doors as its closed form symbolized safety.
The Chiwen, which likes swallowing, is placed on both ends of the ridgepoles of roofs (to swallow all evil influences).
The Pulao, which likes to cry, is represented on the tops of bells, serving as handles.
The Suoni is like a lion with a propensity to sit and enjoy the aroma of joss sticks. This was introduced into the imagery of Chinese Buddhism and would be depicted on Buddha thrones and incense burners.
The Qiuniu, which has a great love of music, is used to adorn musical instruments.
The dragon having nine sons does not necessarily mean that the dragon has exactly nine sons. In Chinese culture, nine implies numerous or a large amount. The dragoon is depicted as having nine sons because the Chinese believe that nine is a figure of highest value, symbolizing the status of supremacy.
The Origin of Chinese Lion Dance
Lions are not native to China. It was said that 1900 years ago, lions were brought to China by Iranian embassies from the Middle East via the Silk Road as tributes to the Chinese emperors. The earliest historical record of lion dance is dated from Tang Dynasty. According to the Annal of Music in Tang Shu (Book of Tang), the lion dance referred to as Tai Ping Yue, or Wufang Lion Dance, was originated in the time of Emperor Wu (557-561 AD) of the Northern Zhou Dynasty. It was also recorded that the Tang Emperor Gaozu entertained visitors and guests with the Wufang Lion Dance. One lion was performed by two persons dressed in costumes decorated with hair like a lion. The dancers would mimic the movements of lions. This Wufang Lion Dance was believed to be the earliest form of today's lion dance, which was first performed in the imperial palace and later became popular among the common people.
Chinese lion dances can be broadly categorized into Northern and Southern style. The Northern lions usually have long and shaggy orange and yellow hair with either a red bow, or a green bow on its head to represent a male or female. The southern lion exhibits a wide variety of colors and has a distinctive head with large eyes, a mirror on the forehead, and a single horn at center of the head. Many stories can be told about the origin of the lion dance.
Northern Lion
It is believed that Northern Lion Dance has a longer history. One story says that during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534 AD), the Emperor Wu captured more than a hundred thousand barbarians during his expedition to Hexi in present Gansu Province. The captured were imprisoned to farm in the area for three years. One day, the Emperor visited the borders and the generals ordered the barbarians to present dances for entertainment. The barbarians carved two big and five small beast heads out of wood and presented a dance wearing these heads and animal skins accompanied by music to the Emperor. More than thirty warriors joined the performance. The dancers sometimes leaped into the air as if in joy and sometimes lower their heads to caress each other as if in compassion. Their supreme dancing skills impressed the Emperor so much that he inquired about the dance. The barbarians replied, "All neighboring countries submit to the supreme reign of the Northern Wei and the music and dancing skills of Xiliang (400-421 AD) are indebted to your royal graciousness." The Emperor was so pleased with the reply that he named the dance as "Northern Wei Auspicious Lion." Hence, the name Northern Lion. The Emperor later gave permission to the prisoners to return to their homeland and the lion dance was spreading in the northern area since then.
Southern Lion
The Southern Lion dance was originated in Foshan, Guangdong Province. According to the legend, a monster with a huge head, bulging eyes like bells and a thin body of more than three meters long would appear on the New Year's eve. It moved as swift as wind, giving out sounds like "Nian, Nian". The villagers called it Nian Monster. Whenever it came, it did not hurt people or livestock but ate the crops and vegetables in the field. So disturbed by the monster that the villagers decided to protect their crops from the Nian Monster. They used bamboo and paper to make a head resembling the monster and painted it with all colors. Then they cut cloth into triangular pieces and put them together to form the skin of the body. At the time when the monster was about to appear, the villagers put on the head and skin and waited at the place where the monster would appear. When it came, the villagers would leap out and dance and others would bang their pots and pans to scare the monster. Seeing this, the monster fled the village, scared for its life and it never returned. That's why today the lion dance is always accompanied by gongs, drums and firecrackers.
Today, lion dances are performed on festivals and important events not only as an entertainment, but also as an important symbol of Chinese culture and tradition, carrying the wishes of the people for happiness, good luck and blessings for the their community.