San Diego Legendary Lion Dance Association explains the art and meaning of lion dances. Growing up with a Chinese grandfather meant that my family got to celebrate every year.

Historically, lion dance was a male-dominated art form, as it was physically demanding and a taboo, culturally, for women. Today, girls are challenging this tradition by taking up the sport.

NPR's Pien Huang speaks with journalist Grace Yeoh, who spent a month with a championship lion dancing team, about the rigors of the dance and what makes it so demanding.

Historically, lion dance was a male-dominated art form, as it was physically demanding and a taboo, culturally, for women. Today, girls are challenging this tradition by taking up the sport.

Having embarked on the intricate art of crafting lion heads in 1986, 70-year-old Siow Ho Phiew receives orders from as far away as Australia and Europe.

Queen City Lion Dance performs at Devil's Logic Brewing in uptown Charlotte on Saturday, Feb.9, 2024, one of their many performances on Lunar New Year weekend this year.

Historically, lion dance was a male-dominated art form, as it was physically demanding and a taboo, culturally, for women. Today, girls are challenging this tradition by taking up the sport.

NPR's Pien Huang speaks with journalist Grace Yeoh, who spent a month with a championship lion dancing team, about the rigors of the dance and what makes it so demanding.