The dance has a long history stretching back 2000 old ages. The series, called children of the lion, is loosely based on old testament biblical events the original peter danielson and creator of the series was george warren. Laurence yep is a prolific chineseamerican author of childrens books. Heres a list of books related to lion and dragon dancing that i have come across. The bay area is home to several lion dance troupes.
Search the worlds most comprehensive index of fulltext books. The techniques of such particular style combine the various elements found in dances, martial arts, the study of labyrinths and psychology. The dance of the lion and the unicorn by mark waller. The costume wore by the lion dance today were more like the northern lion of today. This is a great non fiction book about the chinese new year. In 2005 the american librarian association awarded yep the laura ingalls wilder medal, notably for dragonwings, the rainbow people, the khans daughter, and the. He does a great job of documenting many aspects of this ancient chinese art. The origin of southern lion dance kungfu dragon usa. It is all about a little boy who is performing the lion dance on chinese new year. Archaeology delivers traces of dance from prehistoric times such as the 30,000yearold bhimbetka rock shelters paintings in india and egyptian tomb. History of the chinese lion dance february 17, 2017 in news, wing chun history by sarah lister. 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. Lion dancer by kate waters scholastic books for kids. Song of the lion by anne hillerman is an absolutely riveting mystery about a car bombing during an alumni basketball at shiprock high school.
Something that you should know about the origin of lion dance. The impulse to dance may have existed in early primates before they evolved into humans. Kei lun lion dancers find new meaning in ancient steps. Lion dance paperback september 12, 2003 by tristan macavery author. The lion dance by david seow meet your next favorite book. Histoy of lion dancing plum blossom international federation. Find out where this ancient art began and the rich history surrounding its origin. Beloved for centuries, the lion dance has brought joy to people around the world. The dance of the lion and the unicorn is a riveting read and a revolutionary approach to helping couples whose relationship is in trouble.
It shows boy practicing, getting ready for the parade, during the parade and what is celebrated on chinese new year. 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. Its up to lily and exaction star tiger lil to catch the culprit themselves. Two dancers perform each lion, one as the head and forelegs, and the other as the butt and hindlegs. The lion dance is one of the most popular dances in china. White lotus is the portlands leading authority on lion dance and dragon 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 chinese lion dance south in turn has two styles. The modern incarnation of reggae, dancehall music, has become a. This remarkable book represents the first attempt to teach the joy of drawing a very specific subject. Written by jane hallander information from docfai wong.
The case of the lion dance by laurence yep fictiondb. Dragonwings and dragons gate were both newbery honor books. 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. The lion dance is usually performed during the chinese new year and other chinese traditional, cultural and religious festivals. People perform lion dances at chinese festivals or big occasions to bring good fortune and chase away. We also get introduced to the new sibling xandy, who made a very brief appearance in the previous book. The status of lion in buddhism was like the holy guard of the religion. This video will explain briefly what chinese lion dancing is, where it came from and how it has evolved today. Ill pop in more details and books when i have time. This book is a definite musthave for anyone interested in the history and practice of lion dancing. It focuses on the most common dynamic of relationships that fail. I think this is a great book to read to learn about the chinese new year and the lion. 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. The first chapter of the art of lion dance is a thorough introduction.
Dance has been an important part of ceremony, rituals, celebrations and entertainment since before the birth of the earliest human civilizations. The lion and the craft discover the making of the lion from its head to its tail. The lion head is probably the most integral part of the dance. 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. Learn about the rich history and tradition that has spanned over a millennia. Lion dance troupes perform throughout the twoweek lunar new year celebrations, often going from village to village. Search the history of over 424 billion web pages on the internet. Dancing developed as a natural expression of united feeling and action. The case of the lion dance chinatown, book 2 by laurence yep. The case of the lion dance chinatown mystery authors. He is best known for the 10 book golden mountain chronicles. Its vibrant colors and dramatic movement captures the essence of chinese culture. 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. 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.
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. This book is a definite musthave for anyone interested in the history and practice of lion. Featured texts all books all texts latest this just in smithsonian libraries fedlink us genealogy lincoln collection. List of books and articles about dance history online. It is not considered merely just a costume prop, but is regarded as a living spiritual being imbued with divine powers. A form of lion dance found in the tibetan areas is called the snow lion dance or senggeh garcham. Hiphop and house dance emerged in the 1980s in these cities. Since the lion king is set in africa, audiences tend to assume all of the visual imagery is african. The art of lion dance get to know the different arts of the lion dance. From the book of ancient record, lion was from india and ceylon sri lanka. 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.
What sets san franciscos kei lun martial arts apart, says director corey chan, is the groups dedication to preserving the ancient chinese. Restore the roar by chris low play the drum lion comes out by. 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. The chinese lion dance is a celebratory dance usually enjoyed around chinese new year and other special occasions. 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. The snow lion dance may be performed as a secular dance, or as a ritual dance performed by bon po monks. Southern lion dance is a highly spectacular and mysterious art in chinese cultural traditions. 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.
History of the chinese lion dance sifu och wing chun. 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. In understanding the lion dance, this paper seeks to discuss the history of the folk dance, pinpointing its cultural aspects in the chinese society. Performers in the percussion music, dressed as a lion look, make a lion of various forms of action. The origins of dance the earliest history of human dance is a continuing mystery. One partner lion reacts with outbursts of anger, while the other unicorn tries to avoid conflict in ways that only make things worse.
Lenovo yoga book have introduced the perfect platform for artists to getting the best of both worlds through the latest technology of its kind. Another very fun picture book from david seow, this time focused on the lion dance at chinese new year. And now the police are writing off the case as a publicity stunt gone wrong. 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. 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. Lion dance performance at oct east shenzhen addeddate 20081021 06. The lion dance had been in china before tang dynasty.