Chinese Lion Dancers during a celebration.
Image details
Contributor:
Jamie Pham / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
B8AGCTFile size:
50.2 MB (2.7 MB Compressed download)Releases:
Model - no | Property - noDo I need a release?Dimensions:
3427 x 5120 px | 29 x 43.3 cm | 11.4 x 17.1 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
2009Location:
Los Angeles Chinatown, California, USAMore information:
The lion is traditionally regarded as a guardian creature and signifies courage, stability and superiority. The Lion Dance is usually performed as a ceremony to exorcise evil spirits and to summon luck and fortune. The lion’s dance is performed to chase away ghosts and evil spirits, and since the monsters, ghosts, evil spirits and giants like Nian are afraid of loud noises, the dance has become a natural complement to the fire crackers' noise. During the Chinese New Year, lion dancers will visit the store front of businesses to "choi chang" (picking the greens). The business would tie a red envelope filled with money to a head of lettuce and hang it high above the front door, the lion dancers consume the lettuce and spit out the leaves but not the money. The lion dance is supposed to bring good luck and fortune to the business and the dancers receive the money as reward. The dance id also performed at other important occasions including Chinese festivals, business opening ceremonies and traditional weddings.