Lion Dance Competition
( video from a BTV program )

Lion Dance is a form of traditional Chinese dance which two performers mimic a lion's movements in a lion costume to bring good luck and fortune. It is usually performed during the Chinese New Year and important occasions such as business opening and weddings.

Since many villages, township or temples have their own Lion Dance teams, there are many competitions to be held for good community spirit. The competition is judged based on the skill and liveliness of the "lion" , together with the creativity of the stunts and choreographed moves, as well as the difficulty of the acrobatics, and rhythmic and pulsating live instrumental accompaniment.

The act of "cai qing" (采青) literally means "plucking the greens", whereby the lion plucks the auspicious green lettuce either hung on a pole or placed on a table. The Chinese word cǎi ( 采, pluck) also sounds like cài (菜, vegetable) and cái (财, meaning fortune), so the act of “ cai qing “ implies “ gathering fortune. “ In the video, the honored guest announced that everyone in the crowd that witnessed the act, also shared the good fortune.

At the end, the two lions show the scrolls with the phrases “ 風調雨順，囯泰民安＂meaning “ May we have the good weather that will ensure plentiful crops for the safety of our people and the prosperity of our country. “

( reference from Wikipedia & google search )