The Year of the Dragon has brought renewed interest in the rich heritage of dragon dances across the country. The origins of this art form can be traced to ancient sacrificial rituals, as described by Dong Zhongshu, a prominent intellectual and influential politician during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE), in his work
Chunqiu Fanlu
( the Spring Dew and the Autumn Annals): the practice of dragon dances was a prayer for rain.
Accompanying the growing popularity of various popular theatrical works, dragon dances gradually evolved from temple rituals to traditional customs of giving thanks for good fortune.
Over time, the fragmentation of the dance has increased to give rise to practices bearing typical local characteristics, which adds a spectacular and exciting note to modern festivals.
On March 8, Zhang Fanshen led a team of artists in the Banban Dragon Lantern Dance, a work that is part of the national intangible cultural heritage. The show took place in Cili County, administered by the prefectural city of Zhangjiajie, in Hunan Province.
“We designed dance steps aimed at reproducing the formation of auspicious Chinese characters
,” says Mr. Zhang, who has been practicing dragon dancing for several decades.
The dragon was adorned with lights twinkling on its head, and its long body was made of several wooden planks – on each of which were glued several colorful lanterns in the shape of diamonds – while the dragon's tail was decorated with patterns representing auspicious fish.
"It is a symbol of bountiful harvest and national prosperity
," said Mr. Zhang, who is also vice president of the county-level Banban Dragon Lantern Association.
According to a tradition born in Cili County, where various types of mulberry trees are grown for silkworms, people perform dragon dances as prayers for good weather in the region. Dragons are made from materials related to their exploitation – lanterns, for example, are made from silkworms.
Mr. Zhang specifies that
"making dragon dance accessories requires perfect bamboo weaving, the ability to work with wood and an aptitude for painting
. "
Majestic, the dragon's head is high and the body is usually made up of dozens or even hundreds of individual wooden planks.
Performance of the Tongliang dragon dance in Chongqing. PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY
In Chongqing, Cai Mingcan and his team performed a performance of the Tongliang Dragon Dance on
eryue'er
day , which is the second day of the second month in the Chinese lunar calendar, also known as
longtaitou
, or
" the day the dragon raises his head
,” which fell on March 11 this year.
It is said that in ancient times, people once observed a special celestial phenomenon, and described it as resembling a dragon raising its head. From that day on, the ancients were convinced that the rain-bringing Dragon King had awakened from his winter slumber. Since then, a festival has celebrated this day.
The Tongliang Dragon Dance dates back to the Sui (581-618) and Tang (618-907) dynasties, during which people prayed for rain while worshiping the dragon kings of Chinese mythology who command the seas and control the climate. Under the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, the ritual transformed into a popular activity.
The dance has withstood the passage of time and retained its success because it has come to acquire deep meaning in the contemporary era where it embodies bliss, power and bravery, says Mr. Cai, who works to preserve and the updating of the Tongliang dragon dance, also integrated into the national intangible cultural heritage, for three decades.
His troupe, which includes more than 50 young dancers, is able to present shows adapted to the 24 solar terms, including the bamboo dragon show in spring, the lotus dragon show in summer, the straw dragon show in autumn and the dragon fire in winter.
To date, Tongliang Dragon Dance has spread to more than 30 countries and regions, including France and the United States.
Exchange between dragon dance performers and spectators during a grand parade in Huizhou, Guangdong province, during the Lantern Festival on February 24. provided to CHINA DAILY
The main site of the "Dancing with Chinese Dragons"
parade
held in Huizhou, Guangdong province, during the Lantern Festival which fell on February 24 this year, the dragon dance stood out among 50 such performances in different styles from all over the country.
The performance of the Baiye dragon, which originates from Changxing county in Huzhou, Zhejiang province, was a refreshing spectacle for the audience, seduced by the swaying of props resembling leaves and flowers. blooming lotus flowers, as well as the beating of the wings of colorful butterflies. Just when the audience was wondering where the dragon could be, it emerged from the lotus flowers.
The assembly in 10 seconds and the appearance of a long dragon emerging from the petals and leaves are the product of folk wisdom passed down for more than 200 years, said Gu Yue, deputy director of the Baiye Dragon Troupe. . It generally takes a month to create such a dragon, which requires more than 130 operations and more than 80 different materials.
Production of Baiye dragon, a tradition born in Changxing County, Huzhou, Zhejiang Province. provided to CHINA DAILY
Lotus flowers are usually divided into nine sections and connected together with iron hooks. During the show, meticulous set-up and expeditious assembly are required to execute an artful transformation of lotus flowers into a long dragon.
It normally takes years of practice for an artist to execute the ensemble to perfection, starting with the interpretation of supporting roles such as flowers and lotus leaves, progressing to leading roles involving the body, the tail and head of the dragon, points out Mr. Gu, who has performed the roles in their entirety for more than two decades.
Baiye's dragon dance has made its way to major events, including the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, and the China International Import Expo in Shanghai last year. last. She has also represented Zhejiang at international cultural events, notably in France and New Zealand.