By Ian Cho ‘26
The boisterous ‘clangs’ of the cymbals and the thunderous ‘booms’ of the drums filled the Class of ‘45 hall on January 17th, as the Hung Gar Kung Fu and Lion Dance Academy performed their signature lion dance.
Each lion costume was meticulously controlled by two performers, with four performers in total depicting two lions. The two lions danced across the hall, attracting cheers and applause from all around. Their bold manes shook majestically in the air as they leaped forwards and swung their heads in accordance with the percussion.
The lion dance, not only is fascinating to watch but also holds great cultural significance in many countries. In China, for example, lions often symbolize power, strength, and superiority. It is believed that the lion dance brings good fortune. Therefore, lion dances are often performed on special occasions, including the Lunar New Year celebration.
I personally enjoyed both the entertainment and cultural aspect of the performance. It was a truly memorable experience. Similarly, many other students also had positive takeaways from this experience.
Stephen Hodi, a current third former, thought “the lion dance performance was both fun and exciting to watch.”
Max Wang, another third former, shared that “[he] enjoyed the performance overall. As a multicultural person, [he] liked how it allowed [him] to stop, think, and reconnect with [his] culture through the dance”
The lion dance allowed many to feel at home, as a part of their culture was celebrated and represented.
Depending on the country or region, there are slightly different variations of the lion dance and its costume. Some places use flamboyant colors, some places have white lion costumes, while other places have a more comic take on the costumes.
As many of you might know, our school’s mascot is also a lion. But it is fascinating to see how the lions in the lion dance are portrayed so differently. The lions are of different colors, sizes, shapes, and symbols than the St. Mark’s mascot.
I believe the ‘lion’ is the epitome of the diversity at St. Mark’s. Like the different lions, we come from different cultures, we do not look the same, and we can have different backgrounds and understandings. However, St. Mark’s is an inclusive community where we all come together, regardless of race, religion, or gender.
For those who want to revisit the performance, here is a short clip of the dance!