Lions dances are performed during the Chines Lunar New Year and are associated with the legend of Nian a bestial creature that terrorised a village in ancient China. According to legend, on the eve of every Lunar New Year, an unidentified creature would destroy fields or crops and animal belonging to the villagers. They named it Nian meaning year in Chinese, overtime the villagers discovered that Nian was afraid of loud noises, bright lights and the colour red. In order to put a stop to the ravaging, they made a model of the creature out of bamboo and papers and two fearless men manipulate it, and loudly beat instruments and let off firecrackers. Nian was successful driven away, henceforth the lion dance was performed on the eve of the Lunar New Year with drums, cymbals and gongs and it believes to chase evil spirits and bring good fortune and wealth, today beside celebrating the New Year it is also performed during auspicious occasions such at the launch of new business and welcoming of VIP. This year expect a quieter CNY with the curbs on the lion, and dragon dances due to the Covid 19 pandemic.
