Dragon Dance

The Chinese dragon dance, often confused with the lion dance, is one of the major attractions at Chinese New Year celebrations. The dragon is carried and animated on poles by a team of people. According to the available space and the dimensions of the event the dragon can reach length up to about 75 meters.
Highlight of the dragon dance are fireworks coming out of the mouth of the dragon. The dragon dance is accompanied by a percussion ensemble creating the rythm of the dragons movement.

Before and after the show, people offering money to the mouth of the dragon, this contribution is meant to bring good luck for the New Year and supports the group of dancers as well. The history of the dragon dance dates back to the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD). The animation of the dragon needs a skilled and trained team and the choreography depends on the skills of the dragon dance team.