Cover The shop interior of globally renowned lion head maker Wan Seng Hang Dragon and Lion Arts Centre (Photo: Imran Sulaiman)
The shop interior of globally renowned lion head maker Wan Seng Hang Dragon and Lion Arts Centre (Photo: Imran Sulaiman)
1 / 1
The story of how lion dance came to be and what propelled it to international acclaim, according to Wan Seng Hang Dragon and Lion Arts Centre's founder Siow Ho Phiew
On the morning of February 12, 2021, the silence outside my room was deafening as the lockdown approached its one-year anniversary. Though I could hear the tell-tale pop of firecrackers exploding from far away, it was a lonely sound that reverberated across the entire neighbourhood; a stark reminder that things wouldn’t, and couldn’t, remain the same anymore.
Growing up, I was used to the thundering sound of cymbals and drums blasting through my window—it was, much to my younger self’s consternation, a dreaded alarm clock that signalled the ushering of the new year and an end to my being able to sleep in during the New Year holidays. A symbol of prosperity and protection against negative energies, I remember the lion dance troupe that used to march their way across my neighbourhood. The vibrant fur and the glittering coat of their costumes searing themselves in my mind’s eye, bright under the hot afternoon sun.
For me, lion dances have always been synonymous with Chinese culture; from festive symbolism to competitive sports that involved daring acrobatic choreographies, the lion dance was an art form turned cultural medium and extreme sport.
Read more: Chinese New Year Across Asia: 5 Fun Similarities to Know
Above Photo: iStock
Photo: iStock
1 / 1
No lions in China
So how did the lion dance become a traditional folk staple in China, when lions weren’t at all native to China anyway? While several speculations have been made, one of the more well-known myths was the tale of the nián, a monstrous beast that was said to eat human flesh. According to the legend, the villagers whom it threatened devised a plan to frighten the beast away from their village after discovering its weaknesses: the colour red, loud noises and bright lights.
While some versions of the story had the villagers dress up as an equally frightful creature, which was then dubbed as the ‘lion’ in lion dances, there were also people who thought that the lion was a depiction of the nián itself, seeing as the southern lion design sported a horn not unlike the mythical beast. Meanwhile, other researchers have proposed that the imagery of lions may have originated from Central Asia and the Parthian Empire (also known as Ancient Iran) during the Han Dynasty, as merchants that travelled via the Silk Road would have most likely traded and exhibited exotic wares, including wildlife.
Above Japanese artist Sugimura Jihei's 'A New Year's Dance', a monochrome woodblock print with hand colouring on paper; The Mary Andrews Ladd Collection (Courtesy of the Portland Art Museum)
Japanese artist Sugimura Jihei's 'A New Year's Dance', a monochrome woodblock print with hand colouring on paper; The Mary Andrews Ladd Collection (Courtesy of the Portland Art Museum)
1 / 1
By the time the Tang Dynasty came about, texts from that era described the lion dance to be a foreign one that had many iterations. One version may have possible ties to Buddhist teachings. According to a Northern Wei text, the description of Buddhist temples in Luoyang, a parade, or performance led by a 'lion' would be held in a temple for Buddha to drive away evil spirits.
Whatever the origin story of the lion dance was, it’s fascinating how even outside of ancient China, regardless of their cultural differences, elements of the dance remain similar in their purpose: from Indonesia, East Africa, Vietnam, Japan and Korea, the lion dances of each country represent power, strength, bravery, fortune and unity.
Above Siow Ho Phew, the founder of Wan Seng Hang, is known for his vibrantly coloured lion heads (Photo: Imran Sulaiman)
Siow Ho Phew, the founder of Wan Seng Hang, is known for his vibrantly coloured lion heads (Photo: Imran Sulaiman)
1 / 1
Instead of it just being a Chinese tradition or a Chinese cultural art form, I want it to be known to others that it can be a sport as well that transcends race and religion.
The evolution of lion dance
Siow Ho Phiew, a globally renowned lion head maker and the founder of the Wan Seng Hang Dragon and Lion Arts Centre, whom Tatler interviewed in November 2022, was in the middle of trimming goat fur for the lion heads when we asked him what he thought about the evolution of lion dance today. “Lion dance has always endured,” he answers. “If it had existed a thousand years ago and has persevered till today, there must be something keeping it alive—I’ve seen [lion dance] evolve over the years.
"Art form, culture, tradition … what I realised in my five or more decades of being in this industry, is that to foster an understanding of the medium with your audience, you have to understand your audience first. And our audience is the world. Instead of limiting the lion dance to simply being a Chinese tradition or a Chinese cultural art form, I want it to be known to others that it can be a sport as well, one that transcends race and religion.”
Above The team hard at work as they prepare for the new year
Above A documented process of lion head designs, shown at the Wan Seng Hang Dragon & Lion Arts.
The team hard at work as they prepare for the new year
1 / 2
And it’s true—Malaysian lion dance has set a precedence across the globe. From its innovative, colourful designs to its daring acrobatic stunts of high stakes, local troupes aren’t limiting themselves to the festivities, but are actively participating on the global stage as well. Internationally renowned as world championship title holders, the Kun Seng Keng troupe were the ones who upped the ante for lion dance over the past three decades.
Above A papier-mache foundation set aside
A papier-mache foundation set aside
1 / 1
According to Siow, the self-taught lion head maker that pioneered the rattan-woven lion head, their “unorthodox” methods were at first met with resistance. “We were criticised a lot in the earlier years whenever we participated in those events,” Siow recalls, grinning slightly.
“Nobody had ever seen these kinds of designs, and the performers were really young too—so when you pit them against the veterans of the lion dance scene, you’re bound to see some sparks fly.”
Above One of the workshop's lion head makers meticulously painting the lion's details
One of the workshop's lion head makers meticulously painting the lion's details
1 / 1
In a multicultural nation like Malaysia, it was vital for Siow that the narrative of the Malaysian lion dance reflects that very diversity. “In 2021, I was in talks with the education ministers to have educational texts include the lion dance—I wanted them to include it because it’s an irrefutable chapter of Malaysian culture. I’m not worried about it being lost to time, because the past will always find its way towards the future.”
Usually found at home and one with her couch, Koy Yi would either crack open a good book or game in her spare time to wind down after a long day. She also loves to scour art conventions and book fairs alike when she's able, collecting art books of all regions to gain inspiration for her own illustrations. With a keen interest in people and the stories they tell, she enjoys a good talk and a good laugh (preferably over food). Follow her on her Instagram @peiyi57.
