The lion is enacted by two Kung Fu practitioners. One handles the head, made out of strong but light materials like, paper-maché and bamboo, the other plays the body and the tail under a cloth that is attached to the head. The dance is accompanied by three musicians, playing a large drum, cymbals and a gong. Sometimes a little Buddha teases the lion with a fan or a giant ball. For expression or to set the mood, the head dancer can move the lion's eyes and ears with the help of strings from inside the head. The mouth can also be moved with the help of the hands.

The lion dance combines art, history and Kung Fu moves. Every kind of move has a specific musical rhythm. The music follows the moves of the lion: The drum follows the lion, the cymbals and the gong follow the drum player. Fire crackers are also lit to scare away evil spirits.

There are generally two types of Chinese lions: The Northern and Southern Lion. The difference lies mainly in the way the lions move, but the most apparent to the eyes are their looks: The Northern lion has a long yellow furry coat and a less movable mouth, the Southern lion on the other hand usually has a multi colored body (no long hairs) and a more movable mouth. In my Kung Fu school we do the Southern lion, and I will restrict this article to that one.

Lion dancing has long been associated with Southern Chinese systems of Kung Fu. This dates back to the days of the Ching dynasty, when revolutionary martial artists used the lion dance as a secret means of communication. For today's Kung Fu student, the lion dance offers a vigorous cardiovascular, stance and weight training exercise, all rolled up in one neat cultural package.

Lion dancing originated in China during the Tang dynasty (618-906 AD). Legend has it that the emperor had a dream one night in which a strange looking animal saved his life. The next morning, the emperor described the dream to his ministers. One of which told the emperor that the strange animal resembled a creature from the West, a lion. Since the lion saved the emperor in his dream, it quickly became a symbol of gook luck throughout China. Lions are not native to China, which explains why the lion in the dance acquired characteristics of the Chinese dragon and phoenix.

There are different types of lions that represent a variety of attitudes. The black lion is known as a fighting lion, and he represents youth, brings gook luck, and likes to play. Then comes the flower-faced lion with a white beard. This lion represents maturity, wisdom, seniority, calm, and peace. A red-faced, black-bearded lion illustrates righteousness and courage. A yellow lion depicts bravery and kindness. The black-faced, black-bearded fighting lion signifies fearlessness.

Lion dancing is a demanding art for the two performers. They must have stamina, they must work together, and they must be able to perform the many Kung Fu movements that are part of the dance. But for the traditionalist, it is one of the most satisfying martial arts activities, as it embodies such a concentration of China's past.

Written By Sifu Rino Côté