Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c11.69

v2.c11.69

The famous *Warriors Triumphal Dance* in Tang Dynasty was created with the absorption of external elements such as Qiuci music, with 120 musicians wearing armours and holding halberds. It was once introduced to India, receiving king Siladitya’s attention. *Five-Direction Lion Dance* was also well known in the Tang Dynasty. Lion was an auspicious beast, and was close to Indian Buddhism. Lion dance has been popular in China in the Three Kingdoms period. General Lü Guang from the Former Qin Dynasty (352 - 394 CE) led the troops to capture Qiuci, and brought tens of thousands of artists back to Liangzhou (present day Wuwei in Gansu province). With the local influence, lion dance was developed into Chinese five-direction lion dance. When dancing, dozens of drums sounded together and five-coloured lions stood in the east, west, south, north and middle respectively. Two people were dressed up as warriors to hold the ball for teasing, and the dance-band with 140 people would play Qiuci dance, which was spectacular, fascinating, and reflected the phenomena of the flourishing Tang Dynasty. Besides in the court, lion dance was also widely popular among military and civilians, and is still prevalent up to now.