The emergence and development of dragon and lion dances

Lion dance, also known as "lion dance", "lion dance lantern" and "lion dance", is often performed in festivals and festive activities. Lions are regarded as auspicious animals in China, symbolizing good luck and good luck. Therefore, in the lion dance activities, people are entrusted with the good wishes of eliminating disasters and seeking good luck. Lion dance has a long history, and the "elephant man" recorded in the History of Rites and Music in Han Dynasty is the predecessor of lion dance. There are many vivid descriptions of lion dancing in Tang and Song poetry. The existing lion dances are divided into two categories: Southern Lion and Northern Lion.

According to legend, it was first introduced from the western regions, and the lion was the mount of Manjusri Bodhisattva. As Buddhism was introduced into China, lion dance was also introduced into China. The lion is a tribute brought back with the peacock after Emperor Wu of Han sent Zhang Qian to the Western Regions.

However, the skill of lion dance originated from Xiliang's "masked play". Some people think that lion dance originated from the army in the fifth century and was later introduced to the people. Both statements have their own basis, and it is difficult to judge whether they are right or wrong today. However, by the Tang Dynasty, lion dance had become a popular activity in the court, the army and the people.

Tang Duanan Festival "Yuefu Miscellaneous Search" said: "There are five lions in the play, more than ten feet high, each with five colors. Each lion has 12 people, wearing red stripes, wearing clothes and painting clothes, and holding red pens. They are called lion lang and dance Taiping music. " The poet Bai Juyi described it vividly in his poem "West Cool Geisha": "West Cool Geisha, West Cool Geisha, Masked Hu Ren, False Lion. Wood carvings at the head and tail, gold-plated eyes and silver teeth. Fenxun sweaters have ears, such as coming to Wan Li from quicksand. " This poem describes the scene of lion dance at that time.

Dragon dance is a traditional dance that originated in China. In ancient times, dragon and lion dances were one of the programs of large festivals in a year. With Chinese emigrating to other parts of the world, dragon dance culture has spread all over China, Taiwan Province Province, Hongkong, Southeast Asia, Europe, America, Australia and New Zealand, and has become a symbol of China culture.

Dragon is the first of the four spirits in China, and people in China respect and fear it. In our minds, the dragon is auspicious, the master of wind and rain, and the destroyer of wild waves; Its power is unmatched by the fiercest beast. Because the dragon is the master of water, in the coastal areas of China, fishermen build temples to worship in order to keep good weather, and there are many myths about dragons in the coastal areas.

It seems that life is like a dream, and dragon dancing at night is one of the folk arts with national colors in China. Whenever there are large-scale festivals, large-scale celebrations and parades, there will be dragon dances. As for when the dragon dance started, it is beyond reproach. However, in ancient times, in the event of floods, droughts, plagues and evil spirits, the ritual custom of dancing dragons and praying for rain can be imagined. Since ancient times, China believed that the dragon was the master of wind and rain and had boundless magic power, so he prayed for its mercy and protection during drought and waterlogging.

In the ceremony, wizards and wizards imitate the dragon's movement posture, rotate and dance, and use the magical principle of "as if life were" to pray for rain and sunshine. This is the original origin of dragon dance. This is a future thing, and the ceremony of this festival has evolved into an entertainment-assisted celebration. From the beginning of the Song Dynasty evening play recorded in Hua Meng, Tokyo: "On the left and right doors, the stalks of grass are dragon-shaped, dragons are covered with green curtains, and lanterns and candles are densely placed on the grass, looking like dragonflies", it can be seen that the custom of dragon dancing has prevailed in the Middle Ages. In modern times, the custom of dragon dancing is popular in the northern and southern provinces of China. Golden Dragon and Silver Dragon are indispensable for the Spring Festival, which is more lively and colorful than lion dance.