The lion dance is most commonly associated with the Chinese Lunar New Year, although it is performed throughout the year at many celebrations，holidays and festivals. In the Chinese tradition, the lion dance is essential to ensure harmony and prosperity. In its early history, lion dance was performed by actors and dancers. Today , this ancient custom is mainly kept alive by martial¹ artists from traditional Kung Fu schools. Due to numerous championships in Asia and North America，lion dancing has now reached new heights in its popularity. Traditional lion dancing has evolved into a spectator sport replaced by daredevil acrobatic feats², rivaling any circus performance. There is even a movement to include lion dance competition as an Olympic event.

舞狮是最常见的与中国农历新年有关的庆祝活动，尽管其在一年的许多庆祝活动和节假日进行表演。在中国的传统，舞狮是必不可少的，以确保和谐与繁荣。在其早期历史，舞狮是由演员和舞蹈演员表演。如今，这个古老的习俗主要是由传统的功夫学校的武术家维持。由于在亚洲和北美的很多冠军，舞狮现在已经达到了它所普及新高度。传统的舞狮表演已经演变成一个体育比赛被勇敢的杂技特技所取代，可媲美任何马戏表演。甚至有一个运动，把舞狮比赛作为奥运会的比赛项目。

Southern Style Lion Dance

南方舞狮

The southern style Lion Dance has become an extension of the Chinese Martial spirit, and is always performed by students of Kung Fu. Following the Lion Dance, you will see forms, or choreographed³ routines, performed by the Lion Dancers. The early martial artists, studying in Buddhist⁴ temples, imitated the fighting styles of the animals in nature that they observed such as the tiger and the crane, the primary styles taught at the AMAS. Other styles include the leopard，praying mantis⁵, eagle, snake and dragon. The forms you will see imitate the movements and characteristics of these animals.

南方风格的舞狮已成为中国武术精神的延伸，并经常由学功夫的学生表演。继狮舞后，你会看到制作好的，或精心设计的活动，由醒狮队进行表演。早期的武术家，在佛教寺庙学习，模仿战斗风格，他们观察老虎和鹤等，最初风格是受教于自然界中动物的自然攻击系统。其它样式包括豹，螳螂，老鹰，蛇和龙。你会看到模仿动物的动作和特征的形式。