Line lion (nine lions)

Name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: Line lion (nine lions)

Applicant: Xianju County, Zhejiang Province

Project No.: 288

Project No.: VI - 6

Time of publication: 2008 (second batch)

Category: traditional sports, recreation and acrobatics

Region: Zhejiang Province

Type: Extension Project

Applicant: Xianju County, Zhejiang Province

Protection unit: Xianju Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center

Introduction to line lion (nine lions)

Applicant: Xianju County, Zhejiang Province

Line lions (nine lions) are mainly distributed in Yongkang City and Xianju County of Zhejiang Province. Every major festival, Yongkang, Xianju will hold a unique lion dance performance, commonly known as "nine lions map", so there is "festival, nine Lions Dance" said. Line lion (nine lions) is a folk dance art that combines puppet with ground lion dance. It is named "line lion" because nine lions perform in the air. As an important part of Chinese folk art, the customs of life in the south of the Yangtze River contained in the nine lion painting have important research value. Its exquisite production and performance skills show many characteristics of Wu Yue culture and south of the Yangtze River culture, and provide specific image information for folklore and art research.

The nine lion painting, also known as "nine lions moving the ball", originated from the Ming Dynasty. It is a folk performing art produced by the combination of string puppet and ground lion dance. It is also known as "string lion" and "bump lion". It consists of a lion cage (lion rack), nine lions and a colored ball. The lion and the ball are connected with 38 ropes, which are performed by 11 actors behind the lion cage. During the performance, the lion moves and jumps in the air, excited and unrestrained. Its ears, eyes, mouth and claws can be opened and closed flexibly, which is lifelike. The unique skill of "lion holding the ball" is even more amazing.

Jiushitu is one of the most representative folk performing art forms in Yongkang City, Zhejiang Province. It is loved by the masses for its unique artistry, participation, entertainment and joy. During the Lantern Festival on the 15th of the first month, many places in Yongkang hold this unique lion dance performance. In recent years, Yongkang's "nine lions" has been invited to perform in France, New Zealand, Singapore and other countries, participated in more than 20 major cultural exchange activities in China, won the best performance award at the carnival of the West Lake Expo, and won the silver award in the national folk art competition of the Ministry of culture of the people's Republic of China.

The performance of nine lions in Xianju is rich and colorful. There are many performance forms, such as group lions snatching the ball, single lion playing the ball, double lions moving the ball, Hydrangea budding, pearl falling plate, three lions banquet, etc. the style is bold and unconstrained, and the craft is delicate and lifelike. The props depict dragon and Phoenix, pine and crane extending the year, Eight Immortals crossing the sea, etc., which express people's good wishes for good weather and good harvest Color.

The production and performance of animal shaped lamp with nine lions and the customs of Jiangnan reflected in it provide important information for the study of history and culture. However, it is understood that by 2007, the nine lion painting had disappeared for more than 40 years, and the little lion props handed down in the past were almost lost. The old artists who participated in the performance were old, and the nine lion painting was in danger of being lost. Facing the cultural needs of the new era, how to better protect this folk culture and pass it on is an important topic.