History of Lion Dance

There are many versions of how the lion dance started.  Some of the earliest depictions of lion dance were during the Han Dynasty period (205 B.C. to 220 A.D in China) and records showed that the dance experienced a glorious peak during the Tang Dynasty (716-907 A.D.)

It was customarily performed during religious festivals in those early days. The lion dance later spread to Korea and Taiwan, and is now performed in many parts of the world where the Chinese live.

The lion is believed to be a guardian creature imbued with the power to drive away evil spirits and demons.  To this day, many ancient buildings and palaces, and a number of new commercial buildings, have a pair of lion statues protecting its entrances.

Through time and evolution, the lion dance is no longer performed only at religious festivals.  Today, it has become a must-have for all auspicious occasions – business openings, weddings and festivities, and especially during the Chinese New Year.

The lion dance epitomise our hopes and aspirations.  At its simplest, it is believed to remove bad luck and to bring good luck and happiness to all.