Mid-Autumn Festival, talking about the麒麟 (Kirin/Qilin)

*(Image for illustration purposes only - internet)*

The lion dance was described by the ancients as a bizarre creature, nearly 1.5 meters long, with a dragon-like head, a large nose, a wide mouth, a curved horn on top, an animal-like body, and horse-like legs! Based on this description, people created lions with heads and tails about 4-5 meters long. The lion dance is almost like the playful movements of animals, but what's special is that it's accompanied by drums and percussion instruments like gongs and cymbals. Wherever there's a lion dance, there must be a "Địa" (Earth) figure.

According to ancient texts, Ông Địa (the Earth God) was a local official, kind and cheerful, and therefore beloved by the people of the surrounding area. He was short with a large, pot belly, bright eyes on a round face without any dark spots, and lips that were always rosy red with a cheerful smile. He kept a lion as a pet, always taking it with him wherever he went. On the lion's back, he carried wine, meat, an inkstone, paper, ink, and a few other items. In his free time, he and the lion would often dance together to entertain themselves and to amuse the people. Perhaps from this legend, people gradually came up with the idea of lion dances for festivals, celebrations, and especially for the Mid-Autumn Festival, the traditional festival of the nation. People creatively transformed the lion's form by incorporating its features and vibrant colors according to the preferences and creativity of the artists. Furthermore, the harmonious combination of drums, gongs, and lion dance art is equally important. Lion dances appear every Mid-Autumn Festival and Lunar New Year. When the lion comes to someone's house, it is to drive away evil spirits, bad luck, and bring joy and good fortune to that household.

A lion dance troupe is usually very large, with gongs, drums, cymbals, spears, swords, long spears, banners, etc. There's a troupe leader, deputy leader, martial artists, and people who are well-trained in lion dancing and perform auxiliary tasks. When the lion dance troupe is preparing to perform at a family's home, the leader and deputy leader must enter the house first, carrying a tray of betel nuts and wine, which they place in the center of the house. This tray contains many red paper slips inscribed with wishes such as: "Happiness, Prosperity, Longevity," "Abundant Wealth, Abundant Blessings," "Happy New Year," etc. After offering congratulations to the host and their family, the leader and deputy leader receive a red envelope containing money and then leave to signal the lion dance troupe to begin. The duration of the dance and the amount of martial arts displayed are all controlled by the leader and deputy leader.

The image of the unicorn has been deeply imprinted in the hearts of Vietnamese children and the nation, as a pure symbol of a beautiful new life, prosperity, and happiness for every family.

Source