Lion Dance Ceremony

The drum corp and costumes waiting to begin

Just a block from the Church Administration building, we were able to watch, up-close, a Chinese New Year ceremony held at a prominent hotel, Novotel. It had all the elements one could ask for: an enthusiastic drum corp, a table laden with a roast pig and other delicacies, incense, a traditional burning bucket used to send gifts to dead ancestors, and the central players, two young men each in two festive lion costumes. 

After dutifully watching an incense presentation, those of us gathered were finally rewarded with the two lions, one gold and one silver, coming to life. Their jaws opened and closed, their ears twitched, they tossed their heads, and their dance began. 

The expert lion dancers circled each other, menacing and pouncing, while the gifts floated heavenward. Suddenly the golden lion rushed over to a pole held by four strong helpers and climbed perhaps 15 feet up, weaving and stretching, while traditional drums and cymbals clanged in the background. 

Finally, the silver lion leaped up on a series of poles, rearing impressively, to complete a truly entertaining event.