The New Office and the Lion Dance

Last week Jeremy helped open the new office and a new store for his company. In Singapore, when there is a new store opening, they have a tradition of the Lion Dance. They wear a lot of red to scare away the bad spirits and the loud noise from the drums and cymbols are to wake up the good spirits. Once this has happened the lions dance around the room spreading good luck over the store. The lions then do a ritual of 'eating' tangerines and lettuce. They continue to throw the peels and the lettuce at you, which you are supposed to catch to bring you good luck and prosperity. It creates quite a mess, but as it is good luck they leave it all over the floor for the entire day. It was a great experience except I had some ringing in my ears afterwards. :) Crew wasn't even phased, I think he slept right through all the banging! (At least I didn't feel him moving at all.)

Here the lions are getting ready to perform their dance, this is the plate that has the tangerines and the lettuce that they will soon eat and throw at the crowd.

The Lions spreading good luck throughout the store.

This is what is left behind once the lions stand up. The Chinese believe that even numbers are good luck and bring good fortune.

This was after the lion dance for the store opening. (It's out of order)

This was the second lion dance. They did one for the new office and the new store.

After the dance the lions are eating the food. This is when two of the people under the lion outfit is peeling the tangerines and creating the Chinese Symbol.

You can see the mess that is left behind!

I hope I explained it well enough. I probably should have had Jeremy do it, since it is sorta of complex. But now you've all had a taste of the Lion Dance. (Although without hearing the instruments AKA pot and pan banging, that go along, you haven't experienced it to the fullest. :)