Where did the lion dance come from and is it an exorcism?

The lion dance symbolizes might and courage and good fortune. In traditional Chinese customs, it is believed that the lion dance has the effect of exorcising evil spirits, and it is hoped that the lion dance will be used to suppress and show one's might. The lion dance is a very traditional folk performance art in which the performers are set off by gongs and drums and then dressed up as lions, and then go on to make different lion movements.

The lion dance is also widely spread in overseas Chinese communities, where there are Chinese, there must be a lion dance, which has become an important ceremony to raise the prestige of the nation and establish the soul of China, as well as overseas compatriots to recognize their ancestors and cultural bridges, and its cultural value and influence is very far-reaching.

Lion dance history

Ancient origins: lion dance originated in the "exorcism". In ancient times, the ancients invented "Nuo". "Drive Nuo" gradually evolved into the modern lion dance. Nuo lion dance in addition to perform in the village, more into the people's homes, in the drive away the ghosts of the epidemic at the same time, but also increased the delivery of blessings, pray for blessings task.

History, "Han Book of Rituals and Music" mentioned "Elephant Man", according to the interpretation of the Three Kingdoms, is to play "fish, shrimp, lion" entertainers. By the Tang Dynasty, the lion dance was a large palace dance performance.

Then the "Taiping music" also known as "five lion dance" out of the Tianzhu and Lion Kingdom and other countries. Bai Juyi's poem describes the lion dance: "Masked Hu people masked lion, carved wood for the head silk for the tail, gold plated eyes silver for teeth, Fenxun sweater swinging ears", see the then lion dance and we have seen has been very similar.