Fish lantern dance performaceShenzhen Museum
The Shatoujiao fish lantern dance originated in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. It is a folk dance unique to the village of Shalanxia in Shatoujiao, but it is also popular across Shatoujiao, Yantian, and Tam Shui Hang and Kong Ha New Village in New Territories, Hong Kong.
The fish lantern dance was created by the ancestors of the people of Shalanxia and is based on life fishing at sea and their knowledge of fish.It has been passed down between generations for 300 years to today and has become an essential part of festivals, worship, and harvests.
Fish lantern dance performaceShenzhen Museum
It is performed at night, and there is no need for any other lighting.
Fish lantern dance performanceShenzhen Museum
The audience is able to clearly see the dance due to the light of the fish lanterns themselves. It gives the audience a hazy feeling as though they are under the sea watching all kinds of fish happily playing in the water. It is a particularly striking image.
Fish lantern modelShenzhen Museum
The props for the fish lantern dance are well crafted.Depending on the shape and size of the fish, bamboo is first tied into a fish-shaped frame, and then paper is glued onto it.
Grouper fish lanternShenzhen Museum
Next, flour, leather glue, and paint are used according to the color of the fish. A coat of tung oil is then applied, which not only shows off the bright color of the fish, but also protects it from rain, moisture, and discoloration.
A 20-centimeter-long stick is inserted into the belly of the fish, which the performers hold to dance with the lantern.
Thornfish lanternShenzhen Museum
The majority look like various offshore shallow water fish and the rest are freshwater fish.
Red carp lanternShenzhen Museum
There are beautiful red carp.
Salmon lanternShenzhen Museum
There are cunning goldfish.
Channa horn fish lanternShenzhen Museum
There are arrogant yellow blotched snakeheads.
Worship before the fish lantern dance performanceShenzhen Museum
Before using a freshly made fish lantern, it has to be blessed in the Wu Ancestral Hall.
Worship at Tianhou Palace before the fish lantern dance performanceShenzhen Museum
On the 15th day of the first lunar month, the dance is performed in front of the Tianhou Palace.
Traditional Chinese musical instruments (民国前)Shenzhen Museum
Wind and percussive instruments accompany the fish lantern dance, including drums, conch horns, gongs, cymbals, small gongs, and pellet drums.
The most special drum is the long-bodied snare, which is the main percussive instrument used for the fish lantern dance.The leather drum is helmet-shaped and 40 centimeters tall, but only 20 centimeters in diameter.
Golden drum fish lanternShenzhen Museum
The Shatoujiao fish lantern dance is a square dance with characteristics of the Lingnan region, making it unique from other fish lantern dances in China. It has long origins and is of importance to the study of Lingnan culture and marine culture, as well as esthetics, folklore, and faith worship.
