It probably originated in Ancient China as entertainment for the Emperor. He had been given a lion by a nomadic tribe and it became his pet. Eventually, though, the lion died. This made the Emperor very sad, so his attendants developed a costume and imitated the playful movements of the cat to cheer him up. It is still performed around the world today as an important part popular Chinese culture and history.
Lee's Kung Fu and Tai Chi Center has the only lion dance team in Louisiana and most of the surrounding area. For more information on having a Lion Dance or full Martial Arts performance for your celebrations, call the school at (318) 869-1122.
The Traditional Northern Shaolin Lion Dance is usually performed as an opening for special events and occasions such as the Chinese New Year or the opening of a new business. It is believed to chase away evil spirits and bring good luck and prosperity to the participants of the event at hand.
