Lion Dance Performer’s POV: Here’s Why They Look Through The Lion’s Mouth instead of its Eyes

We know a lion dance is inevitable during the CNY celebrations, and we might know how the lion dance performers see through the lion, but there’s a hidden meaning behind it that many may not be aware of.

A lion dance coach and performer, Kion is here to decode the hidden message and tell you why the performer sees through the mouth of the lion, instead of seeing through the eyes. Here’s the POV of a lion dance performer.

The performer is only able to look at the ground and a step ahead of him, not directly at the audience. Here’s why.

“The eyes of the lion will look up instead, which doesn’t look good,” Kion said.

But that’s not all. The POV of the lion dance performer itself intends to send a message.

“Not everyone has the luxury and luck to see the light in their future.”

Kion then explained that the art of lion dance teaches us to make do with what we have.

“We can only see one step ahead of us, we make do with what we have and what we can, step by step until we achieve our goals,” Kion explained.

Kion also said that despite the future and the success that may be distant from us, we can only achieve what we desire as long as we set our goals and priorities right.

Speaking to WORLD OF BUZZ, Kion, 39, said that he has been involved in the studies of lion dance since he was 14. By the age of 18, he was already a lion dance coach. However, lion dance coach is not his full-time job.

“I’m a full time director and executive producer for commercial advertisements. I own a production company and I’m now also a serious content creator.”

Kion said participating in lion dance is more towards preserving the tradition and educating the youth about it so that the culture lives on.

When asked about the involvement of the youth in the industry, Kion told WORLD OF BUZZ that the industry has achieved a higher standard year after year in terms of stunts, creativity, and difficulties, all thanks to the contributions and improvisations of the younger generations. 

Kion added that the “lifespan” of an acrobatic lion dance performance is not long, as most of them will be coaching the younger generations by the age of 30.

“The reason for this age range is similar to athletes, factors of stamina, the endurance of injuries and speed of recovery.”

Kion also said that not long after he posted the video, many people in the comment section expressed interest in joining the lion dance community. You can watch the full video below.

@kionzchan

Replying to @7j7xe4clc8uj4xlc8c7klc macam mana orang nampak sekeliling bila berada dalam tarian singa? Jom Kionz review #CNYBazaar2023 #MaliBelajar #KionzChan #TikTokGuru #BuatJanganTakBuat #LionDance #TarianSinga #barongsai

♬ original sound – Kionz.C | Video Mktg Expert – Kionz.C | Video Mktg Expert

It’s fascinating how a cultural dance has a hidden message for us, and thankfully we had Kion to decode the message for us. What do you think of the lion dance culture?

Also read: HK Actor Enjoys Celebrating CNY in Penang, Says He’ll Return Every CNY & M’sians Welcome Him