Lion and dragon dances can be seen during the Lunar New Year, at cultural or religious festivals, and business openings and weddings. The ceremonial dances bring in good luck and prosperity, and chase away evil and negative energy.
Before a new lion or dragon is used in its first dance, the participants perform an eye-dotting—or eye-opening—ritual to awaken the spirit of the beast. Using a calligraphy brush, a senior member of the dance troupe or an honored guest applies red paint or dye, or even chicken blood, to various parts of the lion or dragon’s body.
Specifically, they will dot or brush the beast’s:
- eyes to give it sight;
- ears to give it hearing;
- forehead to give it power (the mirror on the beast’s forehead allows it to reflect and repel evil);
- nose to give it a sense of smell; and
- mouth to give it wisdom.
In the final stroke, the beast is brushed along its spine to symbolize that it is awake and has the energy to usher in blessings and ward off evil. It is then decorated with ribbons and feathers to show that it is ready for its dance.
