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The lion is the king of animals. In Chinese tradition, the lion is regarded as a mascot, which can bring good luck. The Lion Dance is one of the most widespread folk dances in China. The dance has a recorded history of more than 2,000 years.

Xushui Lion Dance

Hebei is the birthplace of the Northern Lion Dance. The Xushui Lion Dance is mainly performed during the Spring Festival and religious ceremonies of local temples. In the dance two people usually play the lion: one waving the lion head and the other waving the lion body and tail. The latter is one important feature of the Northern Lion Dance. The lion, with its exaggerated appearance, is mighty and valorous, and also naive and lovely. It can vividly perform watching, standing, walking,·running, rolling, sleeping and shaking its mane and also many other difficult acrobatics.

Tianta Lion Dance

The Tianta Lion Dance formed during the Sui and Tang period in Shanxi, is surprising, adventurous, vagarious, peerless and splendid, since it is performed on towering hath paces, which is really a breathtaking acrobatic scene. The protection and salvation of the Tianta Lion Dance is very important for research on local aesthetics, folklore, music and dance history.

Huangsha Lion Dance

The Huangsha Lion Dance originated in the Northern Song Dynasty and was popular in the Huashayang area of Linhai City, Zhejiang Province. Its biggest highlight is the ingenious adoption of martial arts into the performance. The Huangsha Lion Dance, valuable for research on local folklore, sociology, and aesthetics, now needs urgent protection and salvation. There are less than ten people alive who can perform the dance today.

Guangdong Lion Dance

The Guangdong Lion Dance is a typical Southern Lion Dance. It originated from the royal lion dance during the Tang Dynasty and was later introduced to the south by immigrants from the north. The Guangdong Lion Dance finally came into being in its present form that adopted local characteristics during the Ming Dynasty. It mainly focuses on the performance of the civilian lion dance, attaching much attention to movements like scratching an itch, shaking the mane and licking the hair.

21. Where did the Northern Lion Dance originate?

A. In Guangdong.     B. In Hebei.          C. In Shanxi.       D. In Zhejiang.

22. Which of the following needs protecting most now?

A. Xushui Lion Dance.              B. Tianta Lion Dance.

C. Huangsha Lion Dance.               D. Guangdong Lion Dance.

23. What is the purpose of the text?

A. To call on us to protect the Lion Dance.

B. To teach us how to enjoy the Lion Dance.

C. To encourage the young to learn the Lion Dance.

D. To introduce us several representative types of the Lion Dance.