Beloved for centuries, the lion dance has brought joy to people around the world. List of books and articles about dance history online. One partner lion reacts with outbursts of anger, while the other unicorn tries to avoid conflict in ways that only make things worse. The lion head is probably the most integral part of the dance. Lion dance drawing is a remarkable book and represents the first attempt to teach the joy of drawing a very specific subjectthe chinese lion dance. Joey introduces the chinese dynasties, four origin legends year beast, lion tamer monk, emperor zhang dis appeasement, and the foshan villagers vs thelion, and briefly informs the reader there is not just a historical cultural aspect of lion dance but a metaphysical. Learn about the rich history and tradition that has spanned over a millennia. Folklorist madeline slovenzlow and authorlibrarian kate waters have combined forces to provide a detailed text about the customs and rituals leading up to the chinese new year celebration. Written by jane hallander information from docfai wong. Archaeology delivers traces of dance from prehistoric times such as the 30,000yearold bhimbetka rock shelters paintings in india. But director julie taymor, who designed the costumes, and choreographer garth fagan, found. Dragonwings and dragons gate were both newbery honor books. It is not considered merely just a costume prop, but is regarded as a living spiritual being imbued with divine powers. The impulse to dance may have existed in early primates before they evolved into humans.
In understanding the lion dance, this paper seeks to discuss the history of the folk dance, pinpointing its cultural aspects in the chinese society. Hiphop and house dance emerged in the 1980s in these cities. The art of lion dance get to know the different arts of the lion dance. Peter danielson is the pen name used by the authors of a series of 19 books published by bantam books between 1984 and 1995.
The modern incarnation of reggae, dancehall music, has become a. History of the chinese lion dance sifu och wing chun. Lenovo yoga book have introduced the perfect platform for artists to getting the best of both worlds through the latest technology of its kind. The costume wore by the lion dance today were more like the northern lion of today. The case of the lion dance by laurence yep fictiondb. The history of freestyle dancing gone outdoors your.
Its vibrant colors and dramatic movement captures the essence of chinese culture. The case of the lion dance chinatown mystery authors. Since the lion king is set in africa, audiences tend to assume all of the visual imagery is african. Find out where this ancient art began and the rich history surrounding its origin. It shows boy practicing, getting ready for the parade, during the parade and what is celebrated on chinese new year. This book is a definite musthave for anyone interested in the history and practice of lion. People perform lion dances at chinese festivals or big occasions to bring good fortune and chase away. It is interesting that it also includes a section on the how the lion dance is practiced in other countries such as japan and korea. This is a great non fiction book about the chinese new year.
The chinese lion dance south in turn has two styles. It is all about a little boy who is performing the lion dance on chinese new year. And now the police are writing off the case as a publicity stunt gone wrong. Lion dance paperback september 12, 2003 by tristan macavery author. He does a great job of documenting many aspects of this ancient chinese art. Restore the roar by chris low play the drum lion comes out by. He is best known for the 10 book golden mountain chronicles.
Ill pop in more details and books when i have time. It is for this reason that the lion dance is usually called upon in traditional ceremonies to officiate it as it is believe the lion has the ability to help. Lion dance performance at oct east shenzhen addeddate 20081021 06. Lion dance troupes perform throughout the twoweek lunar new year celebrations, often going from village to village. White lotus is the portlands leading authority on lion dance and dragon dance. The first chapter of the art of lion dance is a thorough introduction. It focuses on the most common dynamic of relationships that fail. In 2005 the american librarian association awarded yep the laura ingalls wilder medal, notably for dragonwings, the rainbow people, the khans daughter, and the. The lion dance by david seow meet your next favorite book. Laurence yep is a prolific chineseamerican author of childrens books. Performers in the percussion music, dressed as a lion look, make a lion of various forms of action.
The chinese lion dance is a celebratory dance usually enjoyed around chinese new year and other special occasions. I think this is a great book to read to learn about the chinese new year and the lion. Lion dancer by kate waters scholastic books for kids. Two dancers perform each lion, one as the head and forelegs, and the other as the butt and hindlegs. Archaeology delivers traces of dance from prehistoric times such as the 30,000yearold bhimbetka rock shelters paintings in india and egyptian tomb.
Southern lion dance is a highly spectacular and mysterious art in chinese cultural traditions. From the book of ancient record, lion was from india and ceylon sri lanka. In some of the earliest dances recorded in china, dancers may have dressed as animal and mythical beasts, and during the han dynasty, some forms of the dragon dance were. The lion dance will scare away evil spirits and bring good luck for the new year, as well as bring honor to the wan family if ernie dances it well. Its up to lily and exaction star tiger lil to catch the culprit themselves. The lion of the north is widely used in circuses and fairs, for entertainment with acrobatics and dexterity tests, while the lion south retains a martial flavor and is used for purposes of desiring prosperity and honoring important celebrations.
The snow lion dance may be performed as a secular dance, or as a ritual dance performed by bon po monks. Search the history of over 424 billion web pages on the internet. In chinese culture, the lion symbolizes power, wisdom, and superiority. This remarkable book represents the first attempt to teach the joy of drawing a very specific subject. Kei lun lion dancers find new meaning in ancient steps. The lion and the craft discover the making of the lion from its head to its tail. The lion dance is one of the most popular dances in china. The dance has a long history stretching back 2000 old ages. The bay area is home to several lion dance troupes. The dance of the lion and the unicorn by mark waller. The lion dance had been in china before tang dynasty. In this, his second book in the chinatown mystery series, awardwinning author laurence yep has written a fastpaced, hilarious story that brings san franciscos chinatown to life. They also grace many other auspicious occasions such as wedding, planting or harvest time, religious ceremonies, or even at the launch of a new business. At the opening of the wok inn restaurant, neither auntie.
This video will explain briefly what chinese lion dancing is, where it came from and how it has evolved today. What sets san franciscos kei lun martial arts apart, says director corey chan, is the groups dedication to preserving the ancient chinese. Once there was a lion dance troupe in every walled village in what became hong kongs new territories, and more than 100 still perform their dazzling routines. The status of lion in buddhism was like the holy guard of the religion. Heres a list of books related to lion and dragon dancing that i have come across.
The case of the lion dance chinatown, book 2 by laurence yep. Notably, the lion dance is the most popular folk dance among the chinese as it is performed in all regions both in the southern and northern parts of the country. A form of lion dance similar to todays lion dance was described as early as the tang dynasty, the modern form of the dragon dance however may be a more recent development. Featured texts all books all texts latest this just in smithsonian libraries fedlink us genealogy lincoln collection. We also get introduced to the new sibling xandy, who made a very brief appearance in the previous book. Another very fun picture book from david seow, this time focused on the lion dance at chinese new year. The origins of dance the earliest history of human dance is a continuing mystery. Search the worlds most comprehensive index of fulltext books. History of the chinese lion dance february 17, 2017 in news, wing chun history by sarah lister. Something that you should know about the origin of lion dance. The lion dance is a traditional chinese dance performed on big occasions, such as the spring festival chinese new year for good luck, as it is believed that the lion is an auspicious animal what lion dances symbolize. The techniques of such particular style combine the various elements found in dances, martial arts, the study of labyrinths and psychology. Histoy of lion dancing plum blossom international federation. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the art of lion dance.
The origin of southern lion dance kungfu dragon usa. The dance of the lion and the unicorn is a riveting read and a revolutionary approach to helping couples whose relationship is in trouble. Dancing developed as a natural expression of united feeling and action. The lion dance is usually performed during the chinese new year and other chinese traditional, cultural and religious festivals.
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