A Research On The Custom Of Dragon Dance And Cultural Identity Of Nationality

The custom of Dragon Dance is a common cultural phenomenon of Chinese nation. Despite the differences in understanding of dragon and the differences in performing in different parts of the country and different ethnic groups, the whole nation share the same religious and aesthetic interest and cultural identity of nationality. Utilizing many research methods, such as literature review, interviews, field investigation, logical induction, questionnaire and mathematical statistic analysis, this research treats the inner relationship between customs of Dragon Dance and cultural identity of nationality as a point of penetration, and probes deeply and further into such a field through demonstrating the modern value of Dragon Dance.This research indicates that the custom of Dragon Dance originates from a Chinese ancient sacred dance praying for rain. This kind of dance shares tight relations among the worship of nature, totem and ancestor. As a folk event embodying people's emotions, Dragon Dance satisfies to a great extent the spiritual demand of Chinese folk people, and the integration between Dragon Dance and primitive folk culture can be reflected into four aspects, namely the wish to dispel evil and pray for happiness, a symbol of reproduction worship and a way for entertainment. Thus, Dragon Dance becomes a major exhibition activity in Chinese folk communities, especially in various cultural spaces, such as festivals and temple fairs, serving as a significant bridge between the authorities and the folk communities, which are involving in more interactions. With the social development, the custom of Dragon Dance has become a common cultural symbol which holds multiple cultural meanings and produces a tight, strong national identity and cohesive force. The original value of Dragon Dance has obvious superstitious functions and meanings. Folks believe that Dragon Dance could help them pursue happiness, avoid evil and give birth to more offspring. So, Dragon Dance is able to satisfy the spiritual demands of folks. However, the value and functions of Dragon Dance must be adapted to this modern era. This transformation mainly manifests the enhancement of its functions of cultural inheritance, education, entertainment, aesthetic and national cohesion. Besides, Dragon Dance, a collective activity which has been identified by the Chinese nation, has become cultural consciousness. This kind of activity not only is an important entertaining way to celebrate Chinese Spring Festival and to express their happiness, but also becomes a crucial spiritual tie which coheres Chinese nation. Such a symbol of nation stability and people's harmonious life, Dragon Dance gets common identity from Chinese nation generally and naturally. Therefore, in contemporary context, we should utilize the special cultural value of Dragon Dance adequately through absorbing its essence and discarding its dross to awake the cultural consciousness of Chinese nation. Especially for teenagers, through playing Dragon Dance, they will acquire pride and belongingness of their nation. Consequently, collective awareness of Chinese nation, national cohesion, national confidence and national spirit could be enhanced, accentuated and cultivated. Through this investigation, we found that the education and practice of Dragon Dance can not only teach the youth knowledge about fine Chinese culture, but also cultivate their all-round qualities and spirit of team work, and bring positive influences of patriotic feelings, national cohesion and national spirit to young people. Thus, treating Dragon Dance as an educational approach to publicize and cultivate national spirit is feasible and effective.