雄獅威猛，活靈活現

現時世界獅藝比賽,多以南獅為主。而每隊獅隊比賽皆配以樁柱陣及鋼線作為比賽道具。這些樁柱代表崇山峻嶺及鐵索橋。一場獅藝比賽或表演,應有一個完整的故事來演繹。舉例來說:獅子為了採青,不惜闖上崇山峻嶺,渡過鐵索橋,經過無數的險阻,才達到目的。期間獅子要在整過程中,要表現喜、怒、哀、樂、動、靜、驚、疑八態。更要顯示獅子的步形步法,獅頭和獅尾的配合及鼓樂的合拍。將獅子的形態盡顯現。而舞獅用的道具,全部都是死物。要由舞獅者將其各種動態盡顯,配合生動步法,才可給予觀眾有欣賞價值。

獅子如何表現八態

怒—獅子遇到物體阻擋或外物騷擾,便會忿怒。

哀—獅子遇到困難,未能解決,便會顯露哀傷。

樂—獅子在樁上自由跳躍,落腳抓水,盡顯快快樂樂神態。

動—獅子好動,喜愛跳躍,舞獅者在樁上跳躍,更能表現其動態。

靜—獅子經過千辛萬苦,困難重重,身心感到疲倦,便須靜下來休息。

驚—獅子遇到危險,便會產生驚怕的動作。

疑—獅子多疑,對身邊每一樣新的事物,皆產生疑慮神態。

獅子的步法 中國功夫注重馬步,而舞獅多以四平大馬為主,配以跳躍步法、麒麟步法、交义步法、弓步、丁步、虛步、靠步、反步、仆步及各種類步法。而獅頭獅尾之動作必須恊調合拍。獅子更須與鼓樂之節奏配合,動作一致,鼓樂節拍明朗、輕、重、快、慢有序,才能表演一場精彩的獅藝。

Lion Dancing

The lion dancing can be divided into 2 major streams. The first stream is originated from the South while the second one is originated from the North. At present, the first one is more prominent. The lion dancing is supported by props during performing. The props enable lions like walking in hills and bridges. The lion dancing has a complete story during performances. For example, the lion imitates to walk on the hill, crosses the bridges and eventually reaches the peak to get a lucky thing. During the performance, the lion shows its happiness, anger, sadness, joy, motion, silence, fear and suspicion. The lion dancing emphasizes on foot steps, head and tail movement and of course, playing drums is essential as well.

Eight Styles and Footsteps of Lions
During the performance, performers should be able to display the following styles of lions. 1. happiness, 2. anger, 3. sadness, 4. joy, 5. motion, 6. silence, 7. horror, 8, suspicion. The performers should be able to show the good footsteps of lions. There are various types of footsteps which are matched by the movement of lion heads or lions tails. Most important of all, the lion dancing should be matched by drum sound simultaneously. In order to perform lion dancing marvelously, the above elements should be considered.