Lung Ying Dragon Sign Kung Fu Ireland

Traditional Lion Dance
As part of the Lung Ying Dragon Sign Kung Fu style, we have a tradition of learning to perform the Lion Dance because it was believed in the Shaolin temples that there must be balance in all aspects of your life.
Consequently, if you gain strength through the Kung Fu and are capable of bringing harm upon another (even in self-defence), you must learn to use that strength in a positive way – in this case, to defeat and scare off evil spirits through the Lion Dance.

This traditional dance is performed with a southern Chinese Lion mask or ‘head’, musically accompanied by drum, gong and cymbals. The lion is regarded as the protector of Buddha. The dance is performed during festivities or celebrations, or the opening of new business ventures, to drive away evil spirits and bring happiness and good fortune.

History of the Lion Dance

Contemporary Lion Dance
Originating from Malaysia, a Freestyle Lion Dance was created to convey a variety of emotions in a competitive environment. This Lion Dance is occasionally performed on such dramatic settings as on poles, bridges and other obstacles. In these settings, the Lion must make a perilous journey to collect the greens (food for the Lion). This performance is also known as the playful Lion for its great public spectacle.

Click here to see Lion Dance demonstration videos

Dragon Dance
The Dragon Dance involves a coordinated effort of a larger number of practitioners than the lion dance and requires a team working in complete unison to highlight the flowing and graceful nature of the mystical Dragon. This is a popular spectacle which shows the coiling and uncoiling of the dragon's body while the performers maintain the serpent-like movement by jumping over and through the body.