Lion Dance is a traditional art form that incorporates physical training commonly associated with martial arts and ascetic expressionsIt is a folk show performed by one or two persons wrapped around with lion skin costume.
Like the dragon lantern dance, lion dance is usually performed during the Chinese New Year and other Chinese traditional, cultural and religious festivals. It may also be performed at important occasions such as business opening events, special celebrations or wedding ceremonies, or may be used to entertain special guests by the Chinese communities.
The Chinese lion dance is often mistakenly referred to asdragon dance. An easy way to tell the differences is that a lion is normally operated by one or two dancers, while a dragon neednany people.
Alsoin a lion dance, the performers facase only seen occasionally, since they are inside the lion. In a dragon dance, the performers faces can be easily seen since the dragon is held on poles.