Just like the Chinese lion dance, the Chinese dragon dance dates back well over a thousand years. Rather than having just two performers, the Chinese dragon dance requires many performers to manipulate the serpentine body of the mythical creature, ideally making the dragon appear quick, powerful and mysterious. Although it may look easy, the dragon dance requires an exceptional level of acrobatic skill and a lot of practice with those involved training for many years in the craft.
Although the Chinese dragon dance is an ancient tradition, you’re far more likely to watch a Chinese lion dance this New Year simply because of the sheer space that a dragon dance requires. Performed by a troupe of circus acrobats who lift the dragon above their heads on poles, movements are carefully coordinated so as to appear seamless, which makes sense when you consider just how long the dragons can be. The shortest are generally 80 feet long, the average length is 100 feet and the world record lists a dragon that spanned 3 whole miles – that’s a lot of acrobats! The Chinese dragon tends to follow a pearl of wisdom – held by one of the performers – which it ‘chases’ through the streets of the procession.
In Chinese culture, odd numbers are associated with good luck and being conducive to success, so you’ll never see a Chinese dragon dance performed with 8, 10 or 12 acrobats! Teams of 9, 11, 13 and 15 performers are the most common and if you’re wondering what the dragon symbolises, it’s similar to the lion; the longer the creature is, the more prosperity and good fortune will be attracted.
A Chinese dragon dance is a rarer sight than a lion but just as entertaining. Some would argue that it is the pinnacle of Chinese New Year entertainment with fireworks which adorn its segmented body throwing off sparks during the dance. Performers in both the Chinese lion dance and Chinese dragon dance are often martial arts students due to the stamina required for a performance, but by no means is it a requirement and anyone wanting to learn can get involved. Be warned though: the training regime is extensive, intensive and exhausting with a highly demanding schedule.
