The roles of the king and valiant generals in lion dance
Traditional lion heads are seen on display in Foshan, Guangdong Province, March 24,2025./CGTN
Did you know that lions assume different roles with distinctive characteristics in traditional lion dances? In Guangdong Province, the folk art tradition of lion dances draws inspiration from Cantonese Opera, where lions are assigned the roles of the king and his valiant generals.
The color combinations of the lion heads are inspired by the facial makeup of Liu Bei and his five valiant generals in Cantonese Opera, which is based on the Chinese classic "The Three Kingdoms."
Traditional lion heads are seen on display in Zhanjiang,Guangdong Province, March 23, 2025./CGTN
Each of these heroic figures imparts a unique allure and personal trait to the lion dance. The five valiant characters symbolize: Guan Yu – Righteousness; Zhang Fei – Ferocity; Zhao Yun – Wisdom; Ma Chao – Majesty; and Huang Zhong – Valor. This intangible cultural heritage-recognized folk art serves as a vivid cultural symbol of Guangdong Province.