This year, my uncle decided celebrating Chinese New year with Lion Dance, a traditional art form the incorporates physical training commonly associated with martial arts and ascetic expressions.
The lion performances the "Picking the greens" 菜青 to usher an auspicious new year. The lion during such performances are also associated with Nian, the mythical creature who is frightened away with firecrackers and red color during the Chinese New year.
According to Chinese lore, hundreds of years ago, a Chinese village was under constant threat by local bandits, who dressed up as demons to scare away villagers. Te marauders then took the townspeople's food and valuables. To defend themselves, the villagers concocted their own creatures - dragons and lions - out of papier-mache. The villagers banged their pots and pans as their colorful creations swayed, scaring away looters and evil spirits. Thus the lion dance was born.
Subsequent generations adopted the lion dance as traditional part of the Chinese New Year celebration, as well as festivals and other special occasion. The lion dance is believed to bring peace and good fortune.
Look at my grandma, she is so excited about seeing the lion dance yet so afraid of the loud drum and gong sounds!
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