2025 FUSION Lehigh University - Lion Dance Performance

Lion dancing is a 5,000-year-old Chinese tradition where performers inside an elaborate costume mimic a lion's movements. This vibrant art form, used to narrate stories and bestow luck, is a highlight of Lunar New Year and other celebratory events. Two dancers bring the lion to life: one manipulates the expressive head while the other forms the body, synchronizing their steps. The performance is driven by a powerful drum that acts as the lion's "heartbeat," directing its actions and accenting them with cymbals and a gong.

A common storyline involves the lions overcoming challenges—represented by props or a Buddha character—to reach a symbolic object like a fruit. In this performance, there will be a particularly greedy monk that refuses to share a pomelo, symbolizing abundance and prosperity, with the lions. As the lions fight their way to the fruit with elaborate tricks and jumps, how will they eventually come to terms with the monk? As you watch, please witness the incredible skill and artistry that goes into the ancient art of lion dancing. Let’s give it up for Lehigh Lions!