Dragon Dance
耍龙灯
Dragon dance has its nicknames such as “Run with Dragon lantern in Hands" or “Dance with Dragon Lantern in Hands.” It is one of the activities with the national characteristics of China. The dragon lantern is usually made of thin bamboo strips, silk and lanterns. The head, body and tail of a dragon is first made with the bamboo strips, the thin and transparent silk is clung to the strips, and then paint the palpus, scales and paws on the silk. The dragon lanterns have different length. Usually the shorter ones have three parts, and the longer ones have more than ten, but they are mainly odd number. Under each part of the dragon lantern, a handle is installed for the players to hold. In the end, light up the lamps in each part of it, and then a dragon lantern is finished.
耍龙灯又称跑龙灯、舞龙灯，是中华民族最具民族特色的活动项目之一。龙灯通常以竹蔑、绸布和灯为主要制作材料，先用竹蔑扎成龙头、龙身、龙尾的形状，再把薄而能透光的绸布罩在竹蔑上，然后在绸布上用油彩画出龙须、龙鳞、龙爪。龙灯有长短之分，短的仅3节，长的则可达十多节，不过多为奇数；在每个龙节下都装有木柄，供耍龙灯者手持。最后在每个龙节中点上灯，一条龙灯就制作完成了。
When dancing with the dragon lantern in hands, one person holds a pearl-like thing runs in front, and the whole dragon will follow it. It demands strength and skills. Of all the performers, the ball-holder, the head-holder and the tail-holder are the most important. The ball-holder equals to a commander, and he must care for the movement of the whole dragon lantern. The head-holder is the core of the lantern, and his movements will influence the coordination of the whole dragon. The tail-holder often has to perform movements such as rolls, prances and so on, but he could not see the movements of others so he can only rely on the regular training and ad according to certain pattern .
耍龙灯时，由一人手持象征龙珠的彩球在前面跑动，整条龙则随着彩球舞动。耍龙灯既是一种力气活，又需要有一定的技巧，其中持球者、耍龙头者和耍龙尾者三者最为关键。因为持球者相当于整个耍龙灯活动的指挥，他必须照应到整条龙的舞动;持龙头者则是整条龙灯的核心，他的动作影响着整条龙动作的协调；持龙尾者则常常要表演翻滚、腾跃等各种动作，却又看不清前面的动作，因此，他只能依靠平时的训练，照着一定程式去做。
Dragon dance is an activity developed from the dragon totem, the activity of dancing with the dragon in hands and the dragon lanterns enjoyment.
耍龙灯是集龙图腾崇拜、舞龙活动、龙灯观赏于一身而发展起来的一种活动。
Dragon dance existed in the period of Ming and Qing dynasties. It is usually performed in the traditional days such as the Spring Festival and the Mid-autumn Festival accompanied by other games such as firework, monkey performance, tightrope walking and circus etc.
在明清时期，已有成熟的耍龙灯表演。耍龙灯表演通常在春节、中秋节等传统佳节举行，届时还伴有焰火、耍猴、履索、马戏等百戏项目。
Up to now, dragon lanterns have already stepped out of the country and dance among the overseas in the world. It is an outstanding mark of the Chinese cultures.
时至今日，龙灯早已走出国门，尽情耍动在世界各地的华人聚居圈，成为中华文化的一个显著标志。
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