MOUH SEI
The Chinese Lion Dance, known as 舞獅 (Mouh-sei) in Cantonese, has a rich history dating back over a thousand years. Its origins can be traced to the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD), making it a traditional and cultural practice deeply rooted in Chinese heritage.
The exact origin of the Lion Dance is not clear, but it is thought to have evolved from ancient Chinese folk rituals and mythology. Some legends suggest that the dance was created to scare away a mythical creature or monster, while others attribute its origins to the imperial court, where it was used for entertainment and celebrations. A long time ago, there was a peaceful village near the mountains of Southern China. Every year, a monster with a single eye and horn would descend from the mountains and terrorize the village, eating all their crops. It made a “Nian” sound, giving it the name Nian Shou (年獸), meaning “yearly beast” in Chinese. The villagers did not know how to fight back and started to lose hope. But one day, a traveling shaman passing by provided a glimmer of hope. He informed them that the monster was scared of loud noises, fire, and the color red. Armed with this new knowledge, the villagers fashioned an animal-like costume from bamboo sticks and a piece of cloth to be manipulated by two people, and accompanied it with firecrackers and loud banging on pots. The next year, when the monster Nian appeared, the villagers came prepared: two people in the costume rushed to the scene, followed by the rest of the villagers who all beat on their pots and pans using whatever metal utensils they could find. To add to the commotion, they set off firecrackers. With this, the villagers were able to successfully scare off the beast. In commemoration of this victory, this performance, now called the Lion Dance, is performed every New Year. The invention of the Lion Dance is not attributed to a specific individual, as it has evolved organically over centuries. It likely originated from a combination of cultural practices, myths, and rituals, with different regions contributing to its development.
The lion is considered a symbol of courage, stability, and good luck in Chinese culture. The Lion Dance is often performed during festive occasions, celebrations, and important events to bring prosperity, ward off evil spirits, and ensure good fortune. The dance is believed to bring positive energy to the community and is particularly popular during the Chinese New Year.
A typical lion dance performance tells a story of one or two lions overcoming an obstacle before obtaining a meaningful object (e.g. lettuce, scrolls). Some of the obstacles include poisonous animals like snakes and spiders, or treacherous landforms like caves and rivers. These are constructed from a variety of props. The obstacle may also be an adversarial Buddha character, played by another performer. The culmination of most lion dance performances is called cai qing (采青), or “plucking the greens.” Cai qing is a homonym for “spreading good fortune” (财青). As such, when the lion plucks the lettuce and tosses it at the audience, it is a symbolic act of spreading fortune.
There are two main styles of Lion Dance: Northern Style (北獅) and Southern Style (南獅). Each style has distinctive characteristics in terms of movements, appearance, and performance.
Northern Style Lion Dance: This style is characterized by a larger lion with a distinctive fur-covered head. The movements are often more acrobatic, and the lion may perform impressive jumps and flips. It is commonly associated with the martial arts traditions of northern China.
Southern Style Lion Dance: The Southern Style lion is typically smaller, with a wooden head covered in paint and decorations. The movements are more fluid and emphasize martial arts techniques. Southern Style Lion Dance is prevalent in regions like Guangdong and Hong Kong and is often associated with the Hakka and Cantonese communities.
In summary, the Chinese Lion Dance has a long and diverse history, with symbolic significance deeply ingrained in Chinese culture. The dance continues to be a vibrant and integral part of celebrations, showcasing the artistry, tradition, and cultural identity of the Chinese people.
