History of the Chinese Lion Dance

The Chinese Lion Dance is a celebratory dance usually enjoyed around Chinese New Year and other special occasions. Two dancers perform each lion, one as the head and fore-legs, and the other as the butt and hind-legs. The dancers both wear pants to match the lion’s fur, with one dancer under the oversized head, and the other bent over under a covering of “lion’s skin.” They then imitate lion like movements such as leaping, napping, scratching, and chasing their tail. The dance is usually accompanied by drums, cymbals, and a gong; playfully, and with lots of crowd involvement. This article will discuss the origin of the Chinese Lion dance and variances in style between the north and south.

Origins

Three legends exist in the Chinese culture that try and explain the origins of the Chinese lion. The first tells of a Monk who had a dream many evil spirits were about to attack China. The Monk prayed to the gods to send him a means of saving China from these evil spirits; his prayer led to a vision of a lion. Never having seen a lion before, the Monk created his own version of a lion from creatures including a dragon and unicorn – explaining why the Chinese lion does not resemble actual lions. The second legend tells of a visiting neighbor country who gave the Chinese Emperor a lion. The Emperor loved his new lion, but could not tame its’ aggressive nature. The Emperor commanded many civilians to the taming of the beast, but it was a Monk who was finally able to calm him. With pride, the Emperor showed off his new lion all around his country and stories of the incredible animal spread. The third legend tells of the animal coming down from heaven. Instead of having the natural traits of a lion, this lion was playful and enjoyed playing pranks on the country. At one point, the lion played a joke on the Emperor, enraging him so much that he cut off his head! A Chinese goddess witnessed the beheading and as a result tied his head back on with a magical red ribbon. She then gave the lion a mirror and a horn to drive away the evil spirits.

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North vs. South

Despite coming from similar origins, Chinese lion dances vary greatly between the North and the South. The Northern lion dance is popular north of the Yangtze River. Performed by either one or two people, this lion is often smaller than the southern lion. Covered in tassels, this lion will act surprised, scared, and happy, while climbing, squatting, retreating and rolling. This lion is usually accompanied by a lion tamer, or warrior, who will lead the dance. The focus for the northern lion is on kindness and dexterity. The southern lion, also called the walking lion, is most popular in the Lingnan area of China. These lion dances are more athletic, incorporating jumps, moves, and attacks. The lion will progress through 8 stages of being: happy, sad, joyous, moving, resisting, surprising, and suspicion. Both lions, however, are rich in color and energetic movements.

Conclusion

Today the Chinese Lion Dance is performed by martial artists all over the world, for a myriad of occasions. At Sifu Och Wing Chun, our martial artists practice the dance and have performed for many different audiences. You may see a Chinese Lion at a wedding, a grand opening, or even a birthday party. Significance of the lion will vary between individuals, with some believing in the lion as a great source of fortune and good luck. No matter what the occasion, the lion never fails to bring smiles and good cheer to those around him.

Chinese New Year Celebration: Why Florida’s Chinese Lion Dance Should Be on Your Radar

Experience the Magic: Florida’s Thrilling Chinese Lion Dance Performances

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The enchanting experience of Florida Chinese Lion Dance performances is highly regarded. As events unfold, vibrant displays of culture and artistry are presented. Each performance is designed to captivate audiences, showcasing traditional techniques and joyful energy.

Traditionally, the Lion Dance has been performed at various celebrations, bringing joy and good fortune. Consequently, it has become a popular entertainment choice for weddings, festivals, and corporate events. Each performance is tailored to meet the specific needs of the clients, ensuring a memorable experience. Furthermore, the talented performers undergo rigorous training to master the art, enhancing the overall quality of the show.

Chinese New Year, Asian Weddings, Corporate Events, our Florida Chinese Lion Dance and Dragon Dance is here for you. You can book your event with us online, We travel all over Florida and will gladly provide you with a variety of exciting, fun and energized performances.

The Power of Performance: Florida’s Stunning Chinese Lion Dance

Moreover, the Lion Dance is deeply rooted in Chinese culture. As a result, it embodies important values such as bravery and strength. Audiences are often engaged through the lively music and intricate movements, which represent good luck and prosperity. Therefore, many individuals feel a connection to their heritage during these performances.

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Places we have performed in the past have ranged from P.F. Changs, Brandenton Museum, Jacksonville Zoo, DLP, Traders Bar and Grill, OM BAR, AA Garden Fusion, PFA, Premier Financial Alliance, Downtown Lakeland Partnership, Lincoln Academy, Many Many Asain Weddings, just to name a few.

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Moreover, the Lion Dance is deeply rooted in Chinese culture. As a result, it embodies important values such as bravery and strength. Audiences are often engaged through the lively music and intricate movements, which represent good luck and prosperity. Therefore, many individuals feel a connection to their heritage during these performances.

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P.F Chang’s, Disney Hotels and Corporate Events, the Sifu Och Wing Chun Florida Lion Dance team has made it exciting and a unique spectacle. The performances are enhanced by live drumming, gongs, and cymbals. In addition, a combination of one to four lions, along with a dragon costume, can be included. Additionally, special patterns and themes are customized to align with the event’s vision.

Choose Sifu Och Wing Chun Florida’s Top Lion Dance Team

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Three key reasons highlight why Sifu Och Wing Chun should be chosen for Lion Dance performances. Firstly, a commitment to cultural preservation is demonstrated. Secondly, professional training is provided to ensure high-quality performances. Lastly, a dedication to client satisfaction is consistently upheld. Thus, an unforgettable experience is guaranteed.

Are you ready to elevate your event with a mesmerizing Lion Dance performance? Don’t wait any longer! Contact us today to book your performance and bring the magic of Chinese culture to your occasion.

Unlock the Culture: Why Florida’s Chinese Lion Dance is a Must-See Event

Traditional Lion Dance performances uplift the spirit and embody the culture of Chinese New Year.  The Footwork of Traditional Chinese Martial Arts while overcoming puzzles, obstacles and retrieving Bok Choy green leaf cabbage symbolizing good luck, fortune, and prosperity.

Celebrate Tradition: The Vibrant Art of Chinese Lion Dance in Florida

The Florida Chinese Lion Dance performance music is provided by a live Drum, gong, symbols providing live music for our clients events.

Internal Links to Related Articles:

  1. Understanding the Lion Dance Tradition
    Learn about the origins and cultural significance of the Lion Dance in Chinese celebrations.
    https://sifuochwingchun.com/understanding-the-lion-dance-tradition/
  2. The Impact of Lion Dance on Community Engagement
    Explore how Lion Dance performances foster community spirit and bring people together during events.
    https://sifuochwingchun.com/impact-of-lion-dance-on-community-engagement/
  3. Lion Dance: A Symbol of Strength and Courage
    Discover how Lion Dance embodies themes of strength and courage in Chinese culture.
    https://sifuochwingchun.com/lion-dance-symbol-of-strength-and-courage/

Florida Lion Dance Team – Book your Lion Dance Performance today!

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Chinese Lion Dance by Sifu Och Wing Chun & Photo by Rising Lotus Photography by Marilyn

Chinese New Year in Tampa | Lion dance Tampa

CHINESE NEW YEAR IN TAMPA | LION DANCE TAMPA

florida chinese lion dance performance entertainment sifu och wing chunChinese New Year in Tampa may not have a large Chinatown like other large cities in North America, but Central Florida is the proud home of Sifu Och Wing Chun, a well-known and skilled Wing Chun Kung Fu school that goes all over central florida performing for Chinese New Year in Tampa events, celebrations, weddings and corporate events.

Chinese New Year in Tampa is a proud home to the asian community that loves the culture, traditions and cultures with a grand passio.  Asain culture rich with celebration are inspirationally festive during the Lunar Moon and Chinese New Year.

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Chinese New Year in Tampa Sifu Och Wing Chun Kung Fu Chinese New Year Lion dance This year Sifu Och Wing Chun Kung Fu celebrates the Year of the Rooster with Florida Chinese Lion Dance performance, live chinese drums, symbols and gongs as well as kung fu demonstrations and prizes!  With hands-on activities for the whole family and traditional chinese lion dance performers we will ring in the New Year with great luck and fortune.

During the New Lunar Moon and Chinese New Year their is always food, singers and celebrations.

Held Every Year at the end of January to the first week in February the Chinese New Year in Tampa provided by Sifu Och Wing Chun provides the city with a real feel of the authentic celebrations and Asian traditions of the Holiday.

Chinese New Year is also known as Spring Festival and is an important, some in the Asian community say the most important celebration of the year.

Chinese New Year in Tampa Florida

From Lantern Festivals to the new moon, the first day of the Chinese New Year in Tampa falls between the January 21st and February the 20th.  Centuries old the festival was a time not only to honor deities as well as ancestors it is celebrated in countires all over Asia.  From The Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Mauritius, Asutralia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau.

This is also a time for families to clean house, wisk away bad forture and make the new year a new you.  Activities include lighting firecrackers and Red envelopes are distributed with paper money in them into the florida chinese lion dance mouth for good fortune, wealth, and happiness.  Book our traditional cultural performances with the Chinese Lion dances. — Sifu Och Wing Chun the Year of the Rooster!

florida chinese lion dance performance entertainment sifu och wing chunSifu Justin Och
11 Countries Traveled
Contact us at 863.800.0171
Regional Director for World Ving Tsun Association in charge of entire Southeastern USA
3x certified and tested as an Ip Man lineage Sifu
116 E. pine st, lakeland FL 33801
Fan page – Http://facebook.com/sifuochwingchun
Website – https://sifuochwingchun.com

Chinese Lion Dance Team at the Polk Museum of Art

lion dance teamThe Lakeland Polk Museum of Art held a free annual open house that was great fun for all ages!  The first 750 school-age children received a free goodie bag of art supplies! More than that, however, they got to see the Lakeland Chinese Lion Dance Team in action at the Polk Museum of Art.

People stood at the front of the Lakeland, Florida Polk Museum of Art. They heard there would be a Chinese Lion Dance performance here in Lakeland, Fl and the Museum was having a Family Day, so they couldn’t resist.  They waited and watched, looking for some clue of the Lakeland Chinese Lion Dance Team.

In the distance a drummer approached and laid down a large Chinese Lion Dance drum in front of the crowd outside the Polk Museum of Art.  Everyone was waiting to see what was about to happen as they lined up around the corner to get in to this once a year event. The Drummer lifted two large sticks into the air and broke the silence with an authoritative beat! The crowd looked and peered around the corner, something large and red was in the distance. The Chinese Lion Dance had begun!!!  The bright red lion danced among the crowd, jumping, dancing, prancing and cuddling up to each participant waiting for the doors to be opened so they could get the full performance!

The children played with and teased the lion, laughing and loving every moment of the performance.  Parents with huge smiles looked down at their children with the same wonder and amazement.  The Chinese Lion Dance drums thundered away with the height of the excitement!

The Chinese Lion Dance continued as the Chinese lion performers scratched at the door of the Polk Museum of Art, the performers sympathizing with the line of parents and kids waiting for the Family Day event to start!

Chinese and Asian traditions have an ancient culture with live Chinese Lion Dance performances that chase away bad luck, evil intent and instead bring good luck, prosperity and fortune for the coming years.  No matter how many times you have seen the Chinese Lion Dance as performed by Sifu Och’s Wing Chun Kung Fu – Lakeland Lion Dance Performance Team it is always a memorable and exciting experience to say the least!

Contact Sifu Och to Schedule A Lion Dance Today!

Customized Chinese Lion Dance Team Event

The Lion Dance for Sifu Och’s Wing Chun Lakeland Lion Dance team does not perform traditional rituals and prayers.  Instead each performance is customized to the size and requests of the Bride and Groom, Business owner or purveyor of the event.

Red envelopes filled with paper money are fed to the Chinese Lion during the performance bringing back luck and good fortune to all.  Bok Choi is a leaf lettuce that can also be fed to the Chinese lion during the performance to add another wonderfully fun traditional feature.

Wing Chun Kung Fu is a Southern Kung Fu style and is taught by Sifu Och in Downtown Lakeland Florida.  Sifu Och teaches the Southern Lion Dance and performance which is characterized strong based stances, fast sharp movements and fun playful crowd pleasing antics.

The practice of Kung Fu requires strong training, dedication and an ability to know distance, and structure.  With the prowess and experience to test the limits of endurance and demonstrate a wonderful live performance using this rare Asian tradition.

The Lion Dance is extremely taxing on the performers and thus the practitioners are professionals with high trained endurance while developing and maintaining intense concentration.

Wedding, Special Event, or Birthday Party?

If you are interested in scheduling our Chinese lion dance at your Asian themed Wedding, special event, birthday party, restaurant, or Chinese New Year celebration.  Please click on the following link and complete the form and then text us at  863.800.0171.  Sifu Och will be in touch with you shortly to go over all the details and pricing information.   We travel and have done HUGE events to small private parties,  so do not be afraid to ask!

For more info watch our Chinese Lion Dance video:

Chinese New Year at Explorations V Museum

Sifu Och Wing Chun Kung Fu does charity show for Explorations V Museum in Downtown Lakeland Florida.

Chinese New Year at Explorations V Museum
Explorations V Childrens Museum celebrated the Chinese New Year with a real Lion Dance from Sifu Och Wing Chun’s dance team.

The Sifu Och Wing Chun Lakeland Lion Dance and Dragon Dance team did a wonderful Chinese New Year celebration and show at Downtown Lakeland’s Exploration V Museum. There was quite the crowd both inside and outside of the museum this last weekend as the Sifu Och Wing Chun Kung Fu team performed the Chinese Lion Dance with authentic Chinese live music and drums. The performance had leaps, tail chasing, children running and laughing-as well as a few kids who got to get inside the dragon and perform along with the Chinese New Year celebration event.

Sifu Och and the Chinese Lion Dance team performed all of this, donating their time for the benefit of the downtown Explorations V Museum. It was a wonderful event and show for the good luck and prosperity of both businesses in the new year. Sifu Och Wing Chun Kung Fu cares about kids development and safety and you can’t beat the fun a HUGE red dragon jumping, playing, and running amuck outdoors!

If you’re interested in having a Chinese Lion Dance perform for your Chinese New Year, birthday party or special event, contact Sifu Och Wing Chun at sifuoch@facebook.com.

Experience the Magic of Lakeland’s Chinese Lion Dance Performance!

Lakeland’s Chinese Lion Dance: A Celebration of Culture and Skill

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Make your next special event even more special with a Chinese Lion Dance Performance.

At first glance, the Asian Bamboo Gardens at the Jacksonville Zoo seemed to be an ideal place for families to rest, relax, and reflect. Yet little did they know a huge lion was lurking in the Bamboo Mist Forest, ready for action. Contact: wingchunflorida@gmail.com led by Sifu Och Wing Chun.

Luckily for zoo visitors, this tiger wasn’t a real threat, but the intricately costumed Chinese Lion Dance performers from the Sifu Och Wing Chun studio in downtown Lakeland. In March 2009.

Lakeland’s Chinese Lion Dance: A Celebration of Culture and Skill

The talented Sifu Och Lion Dance team performed seven shows in just two and a half days to celebrate the grand opening of the zoo’s Asian-themed section, featuring Komodo dragons and over 70 other animal species unique to the Far East.

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“The Sifu Och lion dance was fantastic,” said an advisory board member from the Jacksonville Asian American Alliance. “I’m from Singapore, and coming from the Orient, the lion dance is very important if you have something new that opens up. These guys did a fantastic, phenomenal job and made me feel right at home.”

Unveil the Magic of Lakeland’s Chinese Lion Dance Performance

During their performances which spanned the entire garden, including stunts at the Lotus Pool and Weeping Tree Bridge, children and their parents would closely follow the lion, curious about what it would do next.

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Families would cheer when the lion executed a series of difficult stunts and laugh when it would tease particular audience members. One time, for instance, the lion tried to steal a musician’s gong!

Lion dances play an essential role in Chinese folk culture as many believe the performances chase off evil spirits while bringing good luck, happiness, and prosperity. In fact, the first recorded Chinese lion dance performance dates back to third century B.C. during the Han Dynasty. These choreographed routines can only be performed by the most advanced Kung Fu practitioners since the coordinated running, leaping, and jumping movements require much strength, stamina, flexibility, balance, and body control.

Justin Och, the leader of the Sifu Och Wing Chun team, has over 13 years of experience executing the acrobatic techniques necessary for an entertaining show. His commitment to the craft makes his team one of the most successful and sought after in Central Florida. His team has performed at numerous Asian weddings in Orlando, Tampa, Maitland, Kissimmee, and Brandon, and at museums in Bradenton, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, and Lakeland. In addition, public Sifu Och demonstrations are conducted throughout the year, especially during the Chinese New Year. Most recently, the Sifu Och team performed at the Family Day event at the Polk Museum of Art in September.

New Year: An Event Full of Tradition and Excitement

This Lakeland Florida-based team will perform at any wedding, birthday party, business opening, or special event, and will match any competitor’s price. In addition, Sifu Och will work closely with you to build a custom choreographed show that will bring joy to all involved. Several packages are available starting at $499-799 for local shows (within 20 miles of Lakeland with reasonable increases in prices for further travel). Seasoned Chinese musicians are also available to enhance your Chinese lion dance experience with drums, flutes, gongs, and cymbals. Final price depends on location and size of show. Bring the lion dance to your next special event.

Make your next event special with a Chinese Lion Dance Performance.

– Amanda Furmage-Deck

to book your special event such as a asian or Chinese wedding with our Lakeland Chinese lion dance team, register today!

For more info watch our Lion Dance videos.

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