Hokkien Green Fighting Lion

The Green Lion is a unique cultural icon of Kong Han and the Southern Min communities in Fujian Province. Known also as Hokkien lion or Martial Lion, the Chinese Green lion differs from other types of lion dance in the fact that it is not a ceremonial dance nor is it used in celebration.  The Green lion (Ci Sai) is deeply rooted in the historical struggles of the Southern Han people of the Ming Dynasty to overcome the tyrannical rule of the Qing Dynasty and attain freedom. Ci Sai gets its name from the phonetic similarities between the Min Chinese words for “Qing” and “green” The Ci Sai is performed routine consists of exponents fighting the Ci Sai with various weapons to symbolize the struggles of the Han people against the Manchu for their freedom. Finally, the ritual ends with the Ci Sai being subdued. Used as a training tool, for conditioning, martial preparedness, and Represents fighting spirit, breaking through barriers, and overcoming challenges.