What is the origin and symbolism of the lion dance?

The origin of the lion dance symbolizes the following.

1, the origin of the lion dance

The folk lion dance does not have a very specific date, every holiday or assembly celebration, the folk will be a lion dance to cheer up, and the Lantern Festival is also suitable for the lion dance of the traditional festivals, the custom originated in the Three Kingdoms period, the North and South Dynasties began to popularize, and so far there has been more than a thousand years of history.

According to legend, it was first imported from the West, where the lion was the mount of Manjushri, and with the introduction of Buddhism into China, the lion dance was imported into the country. The lion was a tribute brought back by Emperor Wu of Han after sending Zhang Qian on a mission to the Western Regions, along with peacocks and other items. While the skill of the lion dance is quoted from the Western Liang masquerade, some people believe that the lion dance was produced in the army in the fifth century, and later introduced to the folk, both of these two claims have their own basis.

2, the significance of the lion dance

Lion dance is a traditional Asian folk performing arts, performers in the drums and drums under the music dressed as a lion, make the lion's various forms of action. Chinese folklore tradition, that lion dance can drive away evil spirits. Therefore, whenever there are festivals, such as the opening of the new celebration, the Spring Festival, etc., we like to beat the gongs and drums, lion dance to help celebrate.

The lion is the pride of all beasts, the image of majestic and handsome, giving people a sense of majesty, courage. Ancient people regarded it as a symbol of bravery and strength, and believed that it could drive away evil spirits and demons, and bless people and animals. So people gradually formed in the Spring Festival and other major events in the custom of lion dance, in order to pray for life auspicious and peaceful.