Maskostume of the Everlasting
The Chinese Dragon Dance is essential to any Chinese New Year Celebration.With origins from the Han Dynasty from 180-230 AD, the Chinese Dragon Dance is a cultural tradition that has remained important to the spiritual and social fabric of the Chinese for thousands of years.The dragon is a creature who can dwell in all elements, air, water, and land.It has antlers of a deer, the body of a snake, scales of a fish, and tail of a phoenix.Historically, the dragon is most connected with water and its movements mimic that of a river.The Chinese Dragon Dance has been performed with the hopes of bringing needed rain to an area.The Chinese believe the dragon to symbolize power and dignity.It chases a pearl which represents wisdom and the sun.