DRAGON DANCEDRAGON DANCE
The Chinese dragon is a most sacred animal and was the emblem of the Chinese emperors. It is a symbol of strength and goodness.
The dragon dance was already a popular activity by the Sung dynasty (960-1279 A.D.), and has continued to be so up to the present. The dragon mask and boy used for the dance may be gold, green, variegated, or fiery red. The dance may be performed in the daytime or at night. If performed at night, it is usually preceded by someone carrying a blazing torch to illuminate the procession. The length of the dragon varies from 9 to 24 sections long, each section measuring from about 5 to 6.5 feet. The procession moves with the momentum of a tidal wave, and is lifelike portrayal of a celestial dragon.