The history of dragon lantern

Dragon lanterns originated in the Han Dynasty. The image of the dragon was created by the ancients out of good wishes. The ancients called dragons, phoenixes, forests and turtles "four spirits", among which dragons are especially graceful, vigorous and flexible.

As early as Shang and Yin Dynasties, bronze wares and bones were engraved with dragon patterns. By the Zhou Dynasty, the dragon patterns on bronzes were gradually complete. Although the Lantern Festival began in the early Han Dynasty and flourished in the Tang and Song Dynasties, the custom of dragon dancing should be inherited from the Yin and Zhou Dynasties. Dragons have long appeared in historical documents, and "playing with dragon lanterns" means praying for good weather, prosperity and national security, so it is called "praying for the New Year".

Dragons are regarded as auspicious things by the ancients, appearing in various celebrations and sacrifices, and praying for the blessing of dragons through dragon dancing. When people take pleasure in colorful dragons tied with bamboo poles and decorated with silks and satins, their sacrificial nature begins to retreat quietly, and gradually becomes a traditional dance art of Han nationality with various performing skills.

Ancient China people created the image of dragons to express their good wishes. According to legend, the ancients called dragons, phoenixes, unicorns and turtles four spirits. Beautiful shape, bright colors, rigid and flexible lines. Shining unique artistic brilliance in the long river of history. As early as Shang and Yin Dynasties, bronze wares and bones were engraved with dragon patterns. The dragon pattern of bronze wares in the Zhou Dynasty has been gradually perfected. "Playing with dragon lanterns" has become quite common among the people in the Han Dynasty. In the performances of "Shehuo" and "Dance Team" in the Tang and Song Dynasties, "playing with dragon lanterns" has become a common form of performance. Wu's Dream in the Song Dynasty records that Lin 'an (now Hangzhou), the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty, "on the night of the Lantern Festival, the grass is tied into a dragon, covered with green curtains, and there are thousands of lights and candles, which are like double dragons."

In ancient times, people regarded "dragon" as the embodiment of good luck, representing the wish of good weather. Therefore, dragon dancing is used to pray for the protection of dragons, so as to achieve good weather and good harvest in all seasons. People dance with bamboo, iron bars and colorful dragons made of satin or cloth for fun, showing a cheerful mood. Through the continuous processing and manufacturing by folk artists, "playing with dragon lanterns" has now developed into a kind of Han folk dance art with perfect form, equivalent performance skills and romantic color, which is deeply loved by the masses.

Play with dragon lanterns

There are two kinds of performances of "playing dragon lantern": "single dragon playing pearl" and "double dragon playing pearl". The dragon's body consists of many sections, each of which is about five feet apart. The first section is called a gear. The "knots" that make up the dragon body are generally singular. (such as sections 9, 11 and 13). Faucets are also divided into different weights, generally about 30 kg. Those who light candles in the Dragon Ball are called "Dragon Lantern" and those who don't are called "Bulong".

In terms of gameplay, local styles are different and each has its own characteristics. Playing nine knots is mainly based on tricks, and the more common moves are: dragon swimming, dragon drilling crotch (piercing flowers), head and tail drilling, dragon wagging tail and snake shedding. In the dragon dance, no matter what tricks are performed, the performers have to start with broken steps. Playing the 11 th and 13 th dragons mainly shows the dragon's movements, that is, the dragon leaps after the red orb, rising and falling, as if flying in the clouds; Up and down, like breaking the waves into the sea, winding and moving, it looks good.

There is also a habit of playing dragon lanterns in rural areas, that is, not only playing in the village, but also performing in other villages and "competing" in the wide streets and squares of towns or cities. During the Spring Festival to the Lantern Festival, with the sound of gongs and drums and firecrackers, various folk "dragon dance" teams showed their magical powers, causing crowds to watch.

Dragon lantern dance is a traditional cultural activity of the Chinese nation, and all ethnic groups have the custom of dragon lantern dance. Legend has it that Tujia people did not have the habit of dancing dragons long ago. One year, after a long drought without rain, the seedlings withered and the stream was cut off. Mr. Guigu, who can calculate the weather, said to Tujia people, "Don't worry, it will rain at the end of this afternoon, with three points in the city and seven points outside the city." Old Dragon Jingou, who is in charge of water conservancy, listened and thought, Why should I care about water when there are so talented people on earth? Suddenly jealous, he got angry and changed the rain inside and outside the city that the Jade Emperor ordered him to do. As a result, it rained cats and dogs, flooded the city, collapsed houses and drowned many people. After this incident was told to the jade emperor by the local land, the jade emperor put the old dragon in prison and beheaded him seven days later. Guanyin Bodhisattva knew this and begged the Jade Emperor to save the old dragon. Before Guanyin could speak, the jade emperor put a yin sword and cut the old dragon into nine sections with a gold hook. Later, Mr. Guigu came to Tujia and said, "Lao Long was angry with me, but he did a lot of good things to the people." You should burn some incense paper for him when he dies. " Therefore, Tujia people made nine golden dragons, danced in various villages, asked people to worship them, and asked the old dragons to bless the good weather and good harvests. For a long time, dragon dancing has also become a traditional custom of Tujia people. But Tujia people dance dragons, which means dancing Buzalang in the town, and it is similar all over the country. Tujia mountain village is different from other places and has its own characteristics. There are mainly the following kinds.