Another way that Chinese used to scare off evil monsters at the start of the new year is the lion dance,let's now find out more about this Chinese tradition.The lion dance is a familiar sight on the streets of Chinatown during Chinese New Year celebrations.This is a traditional lively dance that combines art, history and culture, with the rigours of Chinese martial arts movements.Two dancers form the lion, one holds the lion's head revolves the front part of the lion's body while the second dancer forms the body and the tail of the lion.Together they plumps about to the rhythm of the drums, symbols and the gong.The lion symbolizes courage, strength and authority.According to traditional Chinese belief, loud music can frighten away ghosts, evil spirits and the Nian,the Chinese legendary monster that would come out to attack and kill people during the New Year.Today the lion dance is performed to usher in a new and prosperous year,it involves for ritual of the lion plug in greens for caiqing.The Chinese words Cai is 'plug' sounds like the word for wealth also pronounces Cai,thus a typical performance involve the lion plugging vegetables that are placed on the tail or hang for the ceiling with a red packet outside for business premisses.This all special ritual is believed to bring in good luck and wealth to the business.
