Chinese New Year 2005

Chinese history shows that the dragon has been worshiped for its mythical powers, strength and good luck since ancient times. Folktales about the dragon dance describe its origins during the Sung dynasty (960 - 1279) in south China at the time of a severe drought. Praying for rain, males from several villages held a three-day purifying ritual, which included fasting and dancing. To this day, only males are allowed to carry the sacred dragon. Another source states that the dragon dance was invented to stop the spread of epidemics. Whatever the origin, the dragon dance is symbolic and has become an important Chinese New Year’s tradition. Legends about the lion’s first appearance tell how villagers chased away an evil-spirited creature named Nian by dressing up as a monstrous lion. Nian appeared at the beginning of each New Year and destroyed the crops. The angry villagers hid in the field on New.

Year’s Eve, some dressed in colorful lion costumes. When Nian arrived to destroy the crops, the villagers jumped up and down in imitation of the monster himself while the rest of the villagers made loud shocked Nian disappeared, never to be seen again. New Year celebrations from then on have always included appearances by the lucky lion. Newly made lions cannot perform without first going through a religious birthing ceremony called Hoi Gong, in which the costumes are purified and the lion’s eyes are ceremoniously painted with red dots to enable the lion’s spirit to distinguish good from evil.

Back in Chinatown, the first pair of lion dancers appear. The lion costumes consist of large, hand-painted papier-mâché heads, faces trimmed with colorful shades of dyed rabbit fur, and long bodies adorned with flowing, multicolored robes. A lion normally requires two performers. Working as a team, they perform stylized movements with the front performer creating the lion’s attitude. Larger lions may have several additional performers and in some movements straddle each other’s backs to form a lion rearing up majestically on its hind legs.

A thunderous roll of drums accompanied by clanging cymbals announces the arrival of the dragon. Carried on tall poles by many men, the approximately one-hundred-foot-long creature wriggles and slithers along. Its head is carved to perfection with golden antlers, bulging eyes, flaring nostrils and a fang-filled mouth. The long, translucent body glows as the serpent floats above the street. Moving majestically through its Chinatown kingdom, the dragon leaves no doubt as to why it is worshipped as king of Chinese beasts.

Bands consisting of a Chinese drum, a large gong and sets of cymbals follow closely behind each set of creatures, matching loud music to the movements of the beasts. As the procession draws to an end and the creatures disappear from sight, the musicians create as much noise as possible in an effort to scare off the last of the evil spirits.

The procession has come and gone, but to the superstitious Chinese, the imaginary creatures have left a powerful shield of protection, ensuring a prosperous year filled with good health, good luck and great fortune.

Location: Chinatown, Bangkok
Festival: Chinese New Year
Dates: 9 February 2005