The Chinese Lion Dance (or Blessing) goes back some one thousand years. The first record of the performance of an early form of the Lion Dance dates to the early Ch'in and Han Dynasties (Third Century B.C.). The lions express joy and happiness.
Both lions and dragons figure in New Year's Parades and other celebrations throughout the year. The Lion Dance also plays an important role in the consecration of temples and other building, at business openings, planting and harvest times, official celebrations, and religious rites. The Little Buddha originates from the Buddist/Shaolin monks that was thought to have trained the first lion dancers.