Kung Fu Regina
Quick Jump:
Lion, Dragon...What's the difference?
History
Symbolism
Composition of a Lion Team
Welcoming the Lion
Lion, Dragon...What's the difference?
A common faux pas is to confuse the terms used for Lions and Dragons. While people almost never call Dragons lions, very often do refer to Lions as dragons. BIG difference!
In Chinese, Lions are called 狮子 shīzi, (Cantonese: si ji), or in the Southern tradition, the Awakened Lion, 醒狮 xǐngshī (sing si). Dragons 龍, are lóng (lung). Apples and oranges. All fruit and lucky Chinese creatures to be sure, but still...
The first step in identification is to observe the costume: how many dancers inside? If there are two, it's probably a Lion. While examples of both smaller and larger exists, standard Dragon teams consist of nine people holding separate poles, often with a 10th person moving the elusive celestial pearl that the dragon loves to chase in an elaborate game of follow the leader.
There are many more differences: symbolism, when they appear in celebration, the musical sounds and patterns that accompany the dance and so on. But with this small bit of information, you already know something a lot of people do not.
History, Symbolism
coming soon
Lion Team Composition
Each Lion requires two people: one to control the head, and another to be the tail and body. They must move as a unit, matching their steps, energy and keeping in time with the music. Live music accompanies the dance. Specific beats and patterns are played on a traditional lion drum. Several other team members will perform on the gong and cymbals.
Welcoming the Lion
To book a performnce, get in touch with us. Give us as much lead time as you're able!
Quick List: Preparing for the Lion Dance
Obtain:
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Chinese red packet envelopes (hong bao) for your payment, cash offerings as well as for guests, should you wish.
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Romaine Lettuce: at least one fresh head for each Lion.
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Other foods and treats to share with everyone according to your preference.
Performance Space: our team can perform the Lion Dance in a variety of spaces large and small. If you have spectators, choose an area that offers good visibility and according to your sense of comfort and aesthetics. Consider seating and standing areas if applicable. You can decorate or the leave the space as-is.
Photo & Video: The best photos will be from the front (performance area-facing) direction. The Team is always happy and willing, time permitting, to have the Lions pose for photos after the performance. And if you get some nice shots or video, we always appreciate sharing!
Specifics: Hong Bao
Hóng Bāo 紅包 (other dialects: Ang Pao; Cantonese: Lai Si 利事)
A Chinese red packet holds the performance honorarium to the Lions. You’ll need one for each Lion so that your good intentions are extended to each. Each red pocket is presented with greens to the Lion (see Greens Offering below). Here are some easy solutions:
Paying by cash? Distribute the total amount into as many hong bao as needed to correspond to the number of Lions performing.
Paying by cheque or e-Transfer? In this case the total amount is already issued in a single payment. No problem! Put your cheque (if there’s one) into one main hong bao and otherwise put a token amount of cash into each other hong bao to distribute to the
remaining Lions.
Why? The Custom of Presenting Red Pockets to the Lion: Just as you’d offer your best hospitality to each and every guest to your home, you wouldn’t want to overlook anyone. In Lion Dance culture, there is a hierarchy amongst the Lions, yet each and every Lion is welcomed bringer of good fortune! As in a family, there are ancestors, elders and children, all members are valued and
important. During the new year period, those familiar with the hong bao custom often keep these red pockets at the ready, should they encounter a Lion team in their travels! Always considered a good omen, take the opportunity to make a wish from the lucky Lion!
For Your People (Optional!): invite your family and friends, employees and coworkers, members of your school or organization and the Lion will be making a special visit to perform just for them. Obtain a number of hong bao red pockets and encourage anyone to join in by creating an opportunity for them to participate! Distribute the hong bao before the dance. Anyone who wants to make a personal wish can do so by offering a cash-filled red pocket to the Lion during the dance.
The amount can be whatever the person prefers. Like a tip or a gift, this should be done in accordance with their means, in appreciation for the hard-working team and with the spirit behind their personal wish. The hong bao is never offered empty.
In Chinese and Asian culture, each number has a special meaning (8 is the most common, meaning prosperity and fortune; and we avoid number 4!). Most elect to offer between $5 and $20.
During the Lion Dance the Lion will perform opening salutations and ceremonial steps. It will seek out and receive the main offering from the host then it will dance proudly and playfully show off a bit, excited and pleased with its accomplishment.
At this time, if the Lion sees other red pockets revealed by spectators, it will pay a personal visit to each. The Lion graciously accepts the red pocket offering and bestow its blessings. Guests do not have to offer a red pocket to every Lion—this also is
optional.
Where to Obtain Hong Bao: Hong Bao red pockets are available for purchase at some Asian food stores in Regina or through major online marketplaces.
Host’s Offering to the Lion(s)
The host prepares a special offering to the Lions that becomes the focal point of the dance. This offering consists, in its most simple form, of a red pocket along with vegetable greens (or in some cases, fruits and other goodies). This is called Qing (Ching), and has several associated word-plays with auspicious symbolisms.
Of the many lucky fruits and vegetables, a full head of Romaine lettuce is a favourite choice! If the lettuce is small, you can use more for a more dramatic ‘spreading of the greens’! Tie the greens and money-filled Hong Bao together with an elastic band, coloured string or red ribbon. You can prepare one offering for each Lion.
When offered by hand, you can appoint honoured delegates to participate in this part of the dance. During the dance, our drummer or other member of the Lion team will signal when the delegates should come to centre stage to present the offering to the Lions. The delegate offers the greens respectfully, using both hands, or with one hand reaching up high, thus encouraging the
Lion to stretch (meaning: ‘Achievement in endeavours and reaching new heights’).
We can advise you on any part of the Lion Dance to make it extra special for your occasion!
Offering to the Lions—The Custom: The offering to the Lion is an exciting spectacle and important part of the show. It also represents one’s own intentions and hopes for good things to come; for oneself and one’s people. This reflects generosity, unity and optimism, but also in our ability to honour the divine found in daily life and those elements that link us with past, present and future.
There are many ways to present the offering, from elaborate visual displays and props, or simply offered by hand during the dance. When the Lion approaches and unlocks the offering (like solving a puzzle), the symbolic meaning of the qing is achieved.
Each section of the Lion Dance is steeped in meaning: rising from slumber, grooming, exiting its cave, going out into the world, crossing rivers and mountains, exploring, encountering challenges and danger, seeking food, finding success, and so on. Of these, the climax of the dance is most often associated with the capturing of the qing and spreading of the greens.
‘Spreading of the Greens’—The Custom:
During Lion dances, you often see the Lions eating lettuce, then spitting them back out! And for those close enough, getting covered with a shower of small lettuce bits! What’s up with that?
When the Lion spits the greens out, blessings are being sent out to all. From large leaves into small bits, simple opportunity is turned into many returns, represent good fortune, prosperity, abundance and new opportunities being spread far and wide. Some view it as extra lucky to be in the path of the actual greens!
Kai Guang (Awakening Ceremony)
This is an optional, brief, add-on ceremony that can be incorporated into important celebrations and commemorations. The Awakening of the Lions ceremony takes place at the very beginning of a Lion Dance.
Honoured dignitaries and elders are invited to perform this ceremony. A special brush is used on the each of the Lion’s eyes—symbolically animating the lucky creatures and a metaphor for clarity of (inner) vision: know oneself, identify and follow the truth—an important attribute for all who serve or seek to offer the best of themselves to the world.
One or more dignitaries can participate in this ceremony. We can guide them through the simple three-step process.
Preparation of the Lucky Greens
Greens: Leave the lettuce core and leaves intact. Romaine lettuce is the most common choice.
Red Pocket: Fill the hongbao with the money amount then close it. You can use some tape if there are loose coins involved.
Assemble: Attach the hongbao to the greens by using an elastic band. Easy! Now you have a qing (ching; offering to the Lion) ready to go!
Tie a string to the offering if you plan on hanging it up for the Lion to retrieve.
Typically, one qing offering is prepared for each Lion.
When and How to Offer the Lucky Greens
In the course of the dance, the Lion goes in search for the offered Greens (qing). If you are hanging the qing, you should have them in place before the dance begins.
If a person is offering the Greens to the Lion, they can be cued by our Team when to enter the performance area to interact with the Lion. Normally two hands are used to respectfully offer the qing.
Performance Space
The Lion Team is very adaptable and can make almost any setting work well. Naturally, on an even surface area, a horseshoe or circle arrangement affords the best view to the most people. VIP or a key area of focus should be positioned to the front.
LEARN MORE
Basic Etiquette
Manners: The Lion is always treated with respect. It is viewed as benevolent, often even playful, but not to be mistaken as a pet or mascot.
Touching the Lion: Briefly and very gently is fine, and only the colourful fabric of the body, the limbs or fur. The eyes, ears, mouth, horn and spiritual mirror are not handled. In general, the Lion, being regarded as a sacred and spiritual being, is not to be handled by the audience.
Flying lettuce and greens: when the Lion spits these greens out, it is the good luck coming out to the people and the area. Obviously, throwing the Greens back is a no-no. For safety, pieces of lettuce may be collected and removed from the performance area after the dance is concluded. Many still observe the custom of retaining the pieces for a period of time after the dance before recycling as the greens, blessed by the Lion, are said to be charged with positive energy.
Background Quick Facts
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The Lion Dance dates back to the Han dynasty. It has evolved to its modern forms--there are several--with traditions stemming from military and civilian/folk customs.
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There are many legends telling of the Lion's origins. In all forms, the Lion is viewed as a messenger from heaven, capable of bringing good luck.
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Different coloured Lions have different personalities, attiributes and symbolism.
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A Lion team consists of two lion players in each Lion, a drummer, a gong and one or more cymbal players.
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The Lion and musicians interact, each leading and following. Each step and musical rhythm represents a different meaning.
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It takes about three years of training in order to perform the dance but takes many more years of training in order to become very good.
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The real master of the Lion Dance also understands Chinese martial arts.
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The Lion dance is often used expressively as a form of entertainment.
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Traditional Lion dance is more than that. There is a relationship between medicine, fengshui and astrology and the Lion Dance and it is viewed that the Lion Dance can influence one's health, fate and fortune.