Why Use Dragon Dancers rather than Lion Dancers?

The most obvious difference between a Lion and a Dragon is the size, power and presence of the animal. While a Lion requires only two people to bring it to life, a Dragon typically requires a team of fifteen! In fact Dragons requiring over 100 people have been made! Use a Dragon when space permits for maximum auspiciousness.

Double Dragon Dancers! The Nam Yang teams in Trafalgar Square, dancing for Chinese New Year

While the Western concept of a Dragon is of a fire breathing, man eating, evil lizard that steals princesses and hoards money to itself, the Chinese Dragon is quite the reverse. Revered as a sign of auspiciousness, the Dragon bestows good fortune on those it favours. As a sign of how highly the Chinese elevate the Dragon, only their Emperors were allowed to wear the shape of a Dragon on their clothing. Anyone else doing so could meet with capital punishment.

Chinese Dragons are attributed with mystical powers such as the ability to fly, and to bestow good fortune. The presence of a Dragon Dance frightens away negative spirits that might otherwise cause mischief or calamity and the percussion team will cleanse away negative energy. The whole proceeding brings in much vibrant Yang energy. Dragons are particularly suitable for large organisations and buildings where it will have room to manoeuvre to their full effect.