About Lion Dance

The lion dance has a continuous history of over one thousand years, and its origins may reach back more than two thousand years. Many stories surround the lion dance and its origins. One of the more popular ones is that an Emperor of China had a dream where a creature resembling a lion saved his life from evil spirits. When he woke he declared the lion a symbol of good fortune. However, since lions are not native to China, artisans had no idea what they look like. As a result, they fashioned an animal with the attributes of other fortunate creatures: the dragon, the phoenix and the dog.

There is perhaps no art that encompasses Chinese culture, history and philosophy more comprehensively than lion dance. Over its long history, lion dance has incorporated elements of Chinese opera, classics of Chinese literature, Taoist, Buddhist and Confucian philosophies, Five Element theory, all sorts of varieties of symbolism from Chinese (and most specifically Cantonese) society, and Chinese martial arts.

The lion dance is now an integral part of not just Chinese culture, but of many Southeast Asian cultures such as Vietnamese, Korean, and Japanese. In fact, the most famous teams are probably from Malaysia.

There are many aspects to lion dance today, and lion dance has performed a number of different roles over history. For instance, lion dance was used to raise money and facilitate communication by revolutionaries attempting to overthrow the Ch'ing, or Manchu, Dynasty. Today, a lion dance can perform many types of purposes, including ceremonial, entertaining, competitive or some combination.

The lion dance is used in ceremonies ranging from the more formal and solemn to the more informal and joyous. Either way, the lion's purpose is to bring good fortune and to drive away any malevolent spirits that might be hanging around. The lion is almost always associated with auspicious acts and events, and must obey certain rules of propriety. These types of events can include house and business blessings, weddings, and other joyous occasions. Lion dance is used to open up a New Year, so it is commonly seen in Chinatowns throughout the country during Chinese New Year celebrations.

A lion dance can also be used to tell a story and simply entertain. Often, there are one or more other characters who interact with the lion, and in fact there can be more than one lion in a performance. These stories are always uplifting and resolved positively, in keeping with the positive nature of the lion. There is no such thing as a lion dance tragedy! Finally, there are various forms of lion dance competition. Malaysia in recent years has dominated this sport, which is often performed on poles reaching up to 12 feet high.

A lion dance typically revolves around a cheng, or puzzle. The cheng sets up the challenge that the lion has to solve according to rules and protocols of lion dance. Often, the chengs have specific purposes or meanings. For instance, "Auspious Lion Welcomes the Bride" is for bringing blessings upon a marriage and "Drunken Lion" celebrates the togetherness of strong friendship. Some chengs are designed to rid the sponsor of bad fortune as well. Sometimes chengs are just performed for entertainment outside of their particular meanings. In any case, there are hundreds of chengs and sometimes new ones are even created. Often different props such as swords, daggers and spears are used. Additionally, tight ropes, benches, tables and other items may be used as barriers or pllatforms for the lion. There are a lot of variations, and each team may have a little bit different ways of solving a cheng. So lion dance isn't just one stanrdard routine. There are many different lion dance performances and styles you may see that are different of each other. The important thing is that protocols are followed and the chengs are solved correctly.

Typically, lion dance teams are either associated with a kung fu school or are independent. They have also been associated with benevolent associations and other groups as well. Good lion dance depends upon strong stances and foot work and athleticism. This is why kung fu training is an integral part of good lion dance training. Lions also require the development of tsan, or spirit, as well as endurance which is why many kung fu schools use lion dance to enhance their kung fu training, as we do here at Steel Dragon.

Gong Lung Sing Si Deui... the Steel Dragon Lion Dance Team

The Gong Lung Sing Si Deui training requires Ying Jow Kuen kung fu training as a basis, and then lion dance, tumbling and drumming. The kung fu training provides much of the basis for the lion dance. Strength, flexibility and endurance are developed as well as awareness and the ability to work as a team.

We currently perform blessings and other ceremonial performances as well as the more generally entertaining lion dance routines. While we do not currently compete, it is we expect to start sometime down the road.

We perform a number of different chengs, are are always working on new ones. Some of the chengs we do include "Auspicious Lion Welcomes the Bride", "Drunken Lion", "Five Elements", "Fierce Tiger Gazes at the Moon" and "Blossoms Opening in Four Seasons". If you have a specific cheng and purpose for which you need a lion dance, please let us know.

Read a little about us in this article from the Trib PM from Feb 2010.

For more information on booking a lion dance and our currently scheduled and confirmed performances, please click here.

Assistance starting Gong Lung Sing Si Deui generously provided by the Sprout Fund

Chinese martial arts, or kung fu, has a long history stretching over thousands of years. Over this time, these fighting skills have become more sophisticated, refined and effective, profoundly influenced by Buddhist and Taoist concepts. A wide variety of skills and approaches have been developed. Currently, there exist hundreds of styles of kung fu which embody these skills and philosophies in different ways and in different measure. At Steel Dragon, we teach 3 different styles of kung fu: Ying Jow Kuen (Eagle Claw), Baiyaun Tongbei Quan (White Ape Connected Back), and Xing-Yi Quan (Mind-Movement Style).

Ying Jow Kuen

Ying Jow Kuen is a Northern Shaolin kung fu style known for gripping, joint locking, takedowns and pressure point strikes. Ying Jow Kuen arose from the hand locking techniques developed by the famous General Ngok Fei, combined with Faan Tzi, known for it's kicks and legwork in particular. This was accomplished by the monk and Faan Tzi master Lai Chin. He originally called it Faan Tzi Ying Jow Pai, then it became known Buk Ying Jow Kuen, or simply Ying Jow Kuen. It is also known as Ying Jow Pai or Bak Ying Jow Pai. The famous Ying Jow master Chan Tzi Ching helped establish the first Ching Mo Association in Shanghai, and since then Ying Jow has been among the styles associated with that school.

In training, an emphasis is initially placed on the development of a strong kung fu foundation such as stance work, root, striking, kicking and so forth. Most of these foundational skills will be applicable to other styles associated with the Ching Mo schools (and in fact, some basic Ying Jow forms are Ching Mo forms), and even more generally to many other Northern Sil Lum (Shaolin) styles. Without a strong foundation, the application of skills, advanced or basic, is not possible.

Ying Jow fighting principles are "Claw and Hit, Catch and Lock", "Tear Muscles, Break Bones", "Strike Pressure Point, Stop the Breathing", "Hold and Destroy, Blockade", "Evade, Flying (jumping)", "Controlling, Throwing", and "Absorbing, Falling". These skills express the fundamental characteristics of Ying Jow.

Areas of training include forms, techniques, principles, combinations, stance work, partner work, iron training, weapons, locks, chi gong, meditation and fighting. Physical conditioning is also part of the overall training regimen. Note that the conditioning is specific to Ying Jow and different than that of Baiyuan Tongbei and Xing-Yi.

Baiyuan Tongbei Quan

Baiyuan Tongbei is believed to be have originated at least 1000 years and as long as 2500 years ago, and is a kung fu style based upon Taoist principles. We are part of the International Baiyuan Tongbei Quan Association (IBYTBQ), which is a branch of Yin Cheng Gong Fa. We teach the Shi branch of Baiyuan Tongbei. Known for its effective fighting skills, this kung fu style is sometimes referred to as "Black Fist".

Although Bai Yuan means "White Ape", Baiyuan Tongbei does not imitate the physical movements of an ape, but rather the "mind" or "feeling" of the ape. To this end, a Tongbei fighter endeavors to be quick, aggressive, accurate, changing and adapting, and clever.

There are few kicks in Tongbei, and they are all low, sudden and small and generally performed in coordination with a hand technique. Fighting skills are categorized as quick hand skills, hard and heavy skills, disruption and displacement skills, and controlling and throwing skills.

The most important concept in Baiyuan Tongbei is tong bei, which refers to the linking of the two arms through the back by making the arms more extended and relaxed, and allowing internal forces to pass smoothly through the back and into the hands. The development of this skill is a signficant part of Baiyuan Tongbei training.

More information about this style can be found on the IBYTBQ website.

Unlike many styles of kung fu, forms, though they exist, do not play a significant role in Tongbei training. The emphasis is on practising specific skills and combinations, first solo and then with a partner. Iron palm also plays a vital role in Tongbei training. Chi gong and physical conditioning are also part of the training. Note that the conditioning is specific to Baiyuan Tongbei and different than that of Ying Jow and Xing-Yi.

Xing-Yi Quan

Xing-Yi is an internal martial art whose origin, like Ying Jow Kuen's, is often attributed to General Ngok Fei (AKA Yue Fei). However, many people attributed it instead Ji Jike from Shanxi Province. There are a few types of Xing-Yi, and we teach the Hebei style.

The fundamental concept underlying Xing-Yi is that internal and external components of this style must be developed together. The term "Yi" means mind, or spirit, and refers to the internal components characterised through the Five Elements: Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth. This forms the foundation of the system. The term "Xing" means movement, or shape, and refers to the external components which express the applications of the system through the 12 animals' fighting skills: Eagle, Bear, Dragon, Tiger, Monkey, Horse, Alligator, Rooster, Hawk, Swallow, Snake and Ostrich.

The Five Elements is a concept in Chinese culture which originated about 5000 years ago and constittues a philosophical framework to express the foundation of all things. From the five elements, all aspects of the universe are generated, changed and destroyed. Two cycles, the creation cycle and the destruction cycle, express the mutual influences between the elements and their development and change. In the Yi part of Xing-Yi (Yi-Quan), this conceptual framework is applied to martial arts and is the basis of all Xing-Yi fighting skills.

The 12 animals fighting skills express the application of the system. However, in contrast to most other animal simulation styles, animal skills in Xing-Yi aim more to express the animal's inner character and spirit as opposed to immitating its physical movements.

Physical conditioning is part of the overall training regimen. Note, however, that the conditioning may differ from that of Ying Jow or Baiyuan Tongbei.

Kung Fu and Lion Dance

Just as Sil Lum Kung Fu provides the foundation for lion dance, lion dance helps develop Sil Lum Kung Fu fundamentals, including stance, movement, stamina and strength. Most importantly, lion dance develops san (shen), or spirit, which is vital for kung fu, especially in combat. As a result, lion dance in strongly recommended for Ying Jow students.

Kung Fu Training at Steel Dragon

A question that has been asked is "how long will it take before I can fight?" The answer is, it depends. Who are you going to fight? What is your skill level now? What kind of condition are you in now? How often and how hard will you practise? And even more questions than those. Many variables go into this kind of question.

There are two old sayings that are applicable to this issue as well. "There is always a bigger mountain" means that there will always be somebody better than you. Also, "The only way to guarantee that you will not lose a war is to not get in a war". This means there is always a chance you can lose, even to somebody who is weaker and less skilled, just by luck. Keep this in mind before getting into a fight. Most of the time, it's not worth the bother to get into a serious fight.

Chinese martial arts is useful for more than just fighting; it also develops health, fitness and mental discipline of the martial artist. Regular practise can result in reduced stress and a feeling of well being.

Training at Steel Dragon, regardless of style, emphasizes fundamentals. Without a strong foundation, one will not be able to defend oneself effectively regardless of the number of techniques and skills one supposedly knows. Effective kung fu is predicated upon a solid fundamentals.

Finally, a traditional set of ethics (Mouh Dak) also underlies training. It is inappropriate to use one's skill in fighting to pick on the weak and defenseless, for example. As one grows and develops as a martial artist, an understanding and adoption of such ethical standards is expected.

One last note: It may be noticed that Cantonese terminology is used when discussing Ying Jow and Lion Dance, but Mandarin terminology is used when discussing Tongbei. This is because the instructor's family speaks Cantonese as did those from whom he learned Ying Jow and Lion Dance, but Zhang Yun, from whom he learned Tongbei and Xing-Yi, speaks Manadrin, being that he's from Beijing.