Dragon is one of the animal sign from Chinese zodiac. Dragon is a legendary, deified and fabricated animal. In the ancient China, Dragon represents emperor's power, nobleness and profounded deepness. Therefore, most of the peasants in ancient China cannot use dragon to represent themselves, dragon should be granted by emperor.

Dragon's shape includes deerhorn, snake's body, horse's face, cock's fist and phoenix's tail. In legend, dragon can run on the earth, fly in the sky, swim in the ocean. Hence, dragon dance includes:

1. Gold and Silver dragon – the body is made by leather, mostly in gold, silver or multi-colors.
2. Gauze dragon – same as gold and silver dragon, but the body is made by gauze.
3. Wood dragon – the body is engraved by wood.
4. Fire dragon – the body is pitched by rice straw.
5. The above dragon dances are played by fifty to hundred persons.
6. Lotus dragon – the body is made by cloth in lotus flower shape.
7. Luminous dragon – the body is painted by glow color, very shiny and beautiful, which is suitable to play at nighttime.

Part II Dragon Dance's shape introduction

Dragon dance can divide into five gestures and eight motions.

Dragon dance motions are mostly related to the pearl. Five gestures includes:

1. When robbing the pearl, it shows power and prestige.
2. When tracing the pearl, it shows ingenious and nimble.
3. When playing the pearl, it shows carefree and leisurely.
4. When losing the pearl, it is panic-stricken.
5. When getting back the pearl, it looks triumphant and proud.

The eight motions include coil up, move/swim, turn over, soar, roll, pass through, twine and play.

When you arrange these five gestures and eight motions into the dragon dance, dragon's movement can be presented perfectly.