Lion Dances Of Chinese New Year

 

The Lion Dance (舞獅. wǔshī) is a form of Chinese traditional dance in China and other Asian countries in which performers mimic a lion's movements in a lion costume to bring good luck and fortune. The Lion dance is usually performed during the Chinese New Year and other traditional, cultural and religious festivals.

In Manhattan's Chinatown, the dances usually take place on Mott and Pell, Doyers and Elizabeth, Bayard and East Broadway. In 2025, they were held on Wednesday, January 29. The event was blessed with a brilliant sunshine.

Businesses prepare small red envelopes filled with money and hand them to the lion dancers as they enter their premises. This is to bring good luck and fortune to the businesses, and the dancers are well rewarded.

The "Big Head Buddha" (Dai Tou Fut, 大头佛), who is also known as the "Laughing Monk", wears a large, exaggerated pink or flesh-colored mask with a bald head and a mischievous grin. He plays a comedic role in the lion dance, teasing the lions and interacting with the crowd while guiding or "taming" the lions. His presence is meant to bring joy and symbolize good fortune.

The lions' hierarchy is identified by their color; The Guan Gong lion has a red face, black bristles, and a long black beard, the Liu Bei lion is the eldest of the lions and has a yellow face with a white beard and fur, the Zhang Fei lion has a black based face with short black beard, small ears, and black bristles, and the white lion is known as Ma Chao.

Caishen (財神) is the 'God of Wealth', and is the mythological figure worshipped in the Chinese folk religion. He is widely believed to bestow on his devotees the riches carried about by attendants. Caishen's name is often invoked during the Chinese New Year celebrations.

In the Southern Lion Dance tradition (particularly in Cantonese styles), red lions are usually seen leading performances or used by troupes wishing to emphasize strength and leadership. It is typically associated with courage, vitality, and good fortune. While the colors of lion dance costumes can vary by region and tradition, the red lion is often linked to positive energy, celebration, and warding off evil spirits.

The yellow lion -particularly in the Southern Lion Dance style- is less aggressive in its movements compared to the red or black lions, making it a common choice for performances emphasizing prosperity, peace, and wisdom. Its name is Liu Bei or Lau Pei and is the eldest of the other lions. Yellow is traditionally linked to the emperor in Chinese culture. The yellow lion also represents intelligence, leadership, and wisdom.

For larger photographs:

Lion Dances by Tewfic El-Sawy on Exposure