The roles of the king and valiant generals in lion dance

adminApril 2, 2025

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-04-01/The-roles-of-the-king-and-valiant-generals-in-lion-dance-1CdAVAykkH6/img/8b933b024d0b47278cfd7fc9f3fbc1c9/8b933b024d0b47278cfd7fc9f3fbc1c9.jpeg'

Traditional lion heads are seen on display in Foshan, Guangdong Province, March 24, 2025. /CGTN

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-04-01/The-roles-of-the-king-and-valiant-generals-in-lion-dance-1CdAVAykkH6/img/8b933b024d0b47278cfd7fc9f3fbc1c9/8b933b024d0b47278cfd7fc9f3fbc1c9.jpeg'

Traditional lion heads are seen on display in Foshan, Guangdong Province, March 24, 2025. /CGTN

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-04-01/The-roles-of-the-king-and-valiant-generals-in-lion-dance-1CdAVAykkH6/img/8b933b024d0b47278cfd7fc9f3fbc1c9/8b933b024d0b47278cfd7fc9f3fbc1c9.jpeg'

Traditional lion heads are seen on display in Foshan, Guangdong Province, March 24, 2025. /CGTN

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-04-01/The-roles-of-the-king-and-valiant-generals-in-lion-dance-1CdAVAykkH6/img/8b933b024d0b47278cfd7fc9f3fbc1c9/8b933b024d0b47278cfd7fc9f3fbc1c9.jpeg'

Traditional lion heads are seen on display in Foshan, Guangdong Province, March 24, 2025. /CGTN

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-04-01/The-roles-of-the-king-and-valiant-generals-in-lion-dance-1CdAVAykkH6/img/8b933b024d0b47278cfd7fc9f3fbc1c9/8b933b024d0b47278cfd7fc9f3fbc1c9.jpeg'

Traditional lion heads are seen on display in Foshan, Guangdong Province, March 24, 2025. /CGTN

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-04-01/The-roles-of-the-king-and-valiant-generals-in-lion-dance-1CdAVAykkH6/img/8b933b024d0b47278cfd7fc9f3fbc1c9/8b933b024d0b47278cfd7fc9f3fbc1c9.jpeg'

Traditional lion heads are seen on display in Foshan, Guangdong Province, March 24, 2025. /CGTN

Did you know that lions assume different roles with distinctive characteristics in traditional lion dances? In Guangdong Province, the folk art tradition of lion dances draws inspiration from Cantonese Opera, where lions are assigned the roles of the king and his valiant generals.

The color combinations of the lion heads are inspired by the facial makeup of Liu Bei and his five valiant generals in Cantonese Opera, which is based on the Chinese classic “The Three Kingdoms.”

Each of these heroic figures imparts a unique allure and personal trait to the lion dance. The five valiant characters symbolize: Guan Yu – Righteousness; Zhang Fei – Ferocity; Zhao Yun – Wisdom; Ma Chao – Majesty; and Huang Zhong – Valor. This intangible cultural heritage-recognized folk art serves as a vivid cultural symbol of Guangdong Province.

Related Posts

Does this fish look like a squirrel?

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-20/Does-this-fish-look-like-a-squirrel–1zoUd2ligOA/img/2688446201674540a1d470ee8290a9d9/2688446201674540a1d470ee8290a9d9.jpeg'“Squirrel mandarin fish” is one of Suzhou’s most iconic dishes. /CGTN <img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-20/Does-this-fish-look-like-a-squirrel–1zoUd2ligOA/img/2688446201674540a1d470ee8290a9d9/2688446201674540a1d470ee8290a9d9.jpeg'“Squirrel mandarin fish” is one of Suzhou’s most iconic dishes. /CGTN <img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-20/Does-this-fish-look-like-a-squirrel–1zoUd2ligOA/img/2688446201674540a1d470ee8290a9d9/2688446201674540a1d470ee8290a9d9.jpeg'“Squirrel mandarin fish” is one of Suzhou’s most iconic dishes. /CGTN <img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-12-20/Does-this-fish-look-like-a-squirrel–1zoUd2ligOA/img/2688446201674540a1d470ee8290a9d9/2688446201674540a1d470ee8290a9d9.jpeg'“Squirrel mandarin fish” is one of Suzhou’s most iconic dishes. /CGTN “Squirrel mandarin fish” is one of the […]

The UNESCO wonders of Saloum Delta and Jiuzhaigou Valley

The world is filled with many unique natural wonders, each with its own distinct charm. Comparing the Saloum Delta region of Senegal, located on the west coast of Africa, and Jiuzhaigou Valley in China not only showcase different types of natural beauty but also reflect their respective cultural backgrounds and the ways in which people […]

Ascending Mount Qomolangma – Filmed in one take

Mission impossible: accomplished! Renowned Chinese high-altitude photographer Ma Chunlin has achieved a world first – capturing the ascent of Mount Qomolangma, also known as Mount Everest, from the north slope in a single, uninterrupted shot. The challenge was immense: everything had to go exactly right – or wait another year. To complete this unprecedented feat, […]

Leave a Reply Cancel reply