Dragon dance is traditional dancing and performing style in Chinese culture. As for Lion dance, then also Dragon dance is performed in festive events. Chinese are often using term "Dragon's descendants".
Performers are wearing Chinese Dragon on the sticks. Lead dancer is rises, lowers, turns the head that may hold different functions from dancer and in some cases, pyrotechnics are used to mimic Dragon’s roar. Dragon dance displays movement of rivers spirit in sinuous style. It has become tradition to simulate movements that symbolizes Dragons power and dignity. Dragon dance is highlight of every Chinese new year’s event, that take place in Chinese towns all over the world.
It is believed that Dragon brings good luck to people. This comes from Dragon’s characteristics, like great power, dignity, fertility, knowledge, and goodwill. Dragons’ appearance can be terrifying yet powering, Dagon has generous characteristic. Therefore, Dragon became emperor's representation of power.
Dragon dance origins from Han's dynasty and foundation was laid by Chinese, who showed great faith and respect to Dragon. It is believed that Dragon dance begun from farming and reaping culture, on the other hand from method of healing and to prevent diseases. It became popular during Song's dynasty, since then it became as national movement, as for Lion dance so was Dragon dance mainly performed at festivals. Dragon dance found popularity all over the world. It became peculiar art in Chinese spiritual life. It symbolizes good luck and prosperity for everyone on the Earth for the coming year. Per ancient history, during the period of Chun Chiu's rule, studying Chinese martial arts was a very popular activity in the free time and Dragon’s dance was taught to students to give them more courage. During the Qing Dynasty, a Dragon dance team was called from Foochow country to perform at Beijing, where the Dragon dance was praised and received attention from Ching Caesar, which earned a great fame to Dragon dance team.
Chinese Dragon is largely different from western Dragon. While in the west Dragon has been mostly symbol of evil, then in east Dragon is considered symbol of good. Chinese Dragon is friendly, wise, and divine creature, who also understands the art of rainmaking. All powerful Dragon brings good luck and success. It is a supernatural, smart and energetic symbol of strength and courage. Dragon has been worshiped in China since the beginning of the time. It is often used to describe the entire Chinese people's warlike impression, but nowadays, rather giant panda is used in its place.
Despite many good features, Chinese Dragon may sometimes be also malicious. If the ruler doesn't do as Dragon says, things may get bad. For example, it is believed that big floods are caused because someone has offended the Dragon. Pesky Dragon can blow stormy clouds to the sky. It is customary to arrange a parade or small fireworks for reconciliation with the Dragon
Dragon has had various tasks in Chinese mythology. Some of them take care of the gods and emperors. Others were responsible for the weather and seasons. There are also secret treasures, that Dragons must defend. But their common quality seems to be love for water. According to one legend, in the spring Dragons rise to the sky and in the autumn they return to the water.
The origin of the Dragon is not quite clear. It is believed that they come from alligator and rain controlling snake. Some Dragons are believed to have begun their journey as a fish.
The roots of the Dragon originated from combination of different animals; Chinese Dragon became mythical creature in Chinese culture. The appearance of a Dragon is combination of different animals, such as deer horns, ears of the bull, hare eyes, tiger's paws, and fish's arm, which are all displayed on long snakes' body. With these traits, it's believed, that Dragons could move on the ground fly in the air and swim in the water. The color varies from green to golden. In 1920, a Dragon rising from Yellow River could be seen, which was bright blue in color and was size of five cows. All this gave the Dragon control over clouds and rain. Imperial Lung Dragon has five toes that distinguishes it from minions. However, four-towed Mang is more common. Even if all the external signs are known, the Dragon may remain unnoticed. Namely, they can change their appearance. According to the legend, they could transform themselves to size of universe or as small as silkworms.
It is thought that the power to swift forms is the reason, that Dragon could have descendants of both human and animal, is the reason, that it was believed, that Caesars were Dragon’s descendants.
As the Dragon gives people high degree of honor, it is called a holy Dragon. Former Chinese emperors called themselves Dragons. Dragon is also a symbol of imperial power. It symbolizes supernatural power, goodness, fertility, fervor, and dignity.
Ancient Chinese clothing had precise number of Dragons, as well as difference in their appearances. Nine Dragons could only use the emperor on their clothes. Also, only Emperor could use five-toed Lung Dragon image, which, like unicorn and phoenix, is a magical animal. Dragon with horns and scales is especially river inhabitant. During Han Dynasty (206 b.c. – 220 a.c.) Dragon’s color was reddish green. What's more, the reddish green was sign for lifepath fifth mark – east, sunrise and spring rain. White is again characterized by west and death. That's why white in the east is for mourning.
The four-toed Mang was used in clothing for imperial family. Sometimes not the nobles decorated their children's clothes with dragons in hope that, as the son grew, he would do a career in the emperor's court and thus gain honor and fame.
Contrary to west's dragon, which represents evil, destruction and brutality, Chinese Lung is always depicted as a kind, wise, and divine creature. Dragon who rose from the Yellow River was the first to explain the Chinese emperor yin and yang rings meaning. The Lungs are often portraited with flaming pearls. Inside pearls are hidden Lungs supernatural powers. Only the one who managed to filch the flaming pearls may tame the Dragon.