舞狮(wǔ shī) - lion dance in Mandarin

舞狮 (wǔshī) is the "lion dance": 舞 (wǔ) means "to dance" and 狮 (shī) is short for 狮子 (shīzi), "lion". Two performers work inside a single lion costume, one controlling the head and one the body, moving to the rhythm of drums, cymbals and gongs.

舞狮 (wǔshī) shows up at 春节 (Chūnjié) celebrations, shop openings and other events thought to need a dose of luck, since the lion is believed to chase away evil spirits. It is closely related to, but distinct from, 舞龙 (wǔlóng), the "dragon dance", which uses a long pole-borne dragon carried by a whole team rather than a two-person costume.

The lion often "eats" a hanging head of lettuce, 生菜 (shēngcài), tied with a red envelope, a stunt called 采青 (cǎiqīng), "plucking the greens", that draws a crowd wherever 舞狮 (wǔshī) is performed.