Chinese lion dance videos

Chinese lion dance

Chinese Culture Dancing The lion dance has been part of the Chinese culture for thousands of years and is performed many times on many places such as weddings, store openings, festivals and celebrations. The lion is a symbol of power, wisdom, and good fortune. It chases away evil spirits and brings happiness and good luck. The lion is made up of a head and a body. The lion head is made of paper-mache, bamboo, and wire. Inside the head there are levers and pull-strings that are used to make the lion's eyes open and close, the ears twist and flap, and the mouth open and close. The head is painted in bright colors and decorated with string, tassels and bells. The body of the lion is made from bright multi-colored cloth and is also decorated with hair, bells, and other decorations. Two specially trained people form the lion. The dance is based on traditional Kung fu footwork, kicks and stances. The head of the lion requires strength and stamina. The dancer must balance the lion's head and control the lion's facial expressions (eyes, ears, mouth) with his upper body, while performing stances and footwork with his lower body. It is this dancer that gives the lion its personality and attitude. The second dancer follows the lead dancer and does a bent over position making the body and the tail of the lion.

Korean Mask Dancing

Korean masks dancing were use in a variety of contexts. They were used in war, on both soldiers and their horses; ceremonially, for burial rites in jade and bronze and for shamanistic ceremonies to drive away evil spirits; to remember the faces of great historical figures in death masks; and in the arts, particularly in ritual dances, and theatrical plays. The present uses are as miniature masks for tourist souvenirs, or on cell-phones where they hang as good luck things
The often horrifying or odd masks were used in shamanistic practices for their ability to evoke fear, and humour, in ceremonial rites. The masks were often made of alder wood, with several coats of lacquer to give the masks gloss, and waterproof them for wearing. They were usually also painted, and often had hinges for mouth movement.
Typically one sees the following some of which are designated as national cultural properties.

comparing

Both dances are used to drive away the evil spirit.
Both dances are used in ceremonies.
Both dances use kung fu or martial arts moves.
The Chinese lion dance uses a lion but the Korean mask dance uses the masks.
Both dances use mouth and eye expression.