KUCHING: Want to end the Chinese New Year celebration with a bang?
Nanyang Wushu Federation of Sarawak is ready to celebrate ‘Chap Goh Mei’ with patrons and supporters by bringing their Qilin (Chi-Lin or Unicorn) dance and lion dance right to their homes or businesses on Feb 14.
Members of the public who are interested to have the Qilin dance at their premises can contact 019-8866879 to make the necessary arrangement, federation chairman Prof Dato Seri Dr Song Swee Hee said.
In China, the Qilin dance is a popular recreational art for the Chinese, along with the lion and dragon dances.
The first Chi-Lin or Unicorn was believed to be sighted in 2800 BC in ancient China.
According to a popular legend, the Emperor Fu Hsi was sitting on the banks of the Hwang-Ho River when a Chi-Lin resembling a deer, with the tail of an ox, the hooves of a horse and with a short horn was sighted.
It bore magical symbols on its back, which inspired the emperor to develop the first written language of China.
The Chi-Lin was held in great esteem, loved for a thousand years and joined the venerable ranks of the dragon and the phoenix in Chinese legends.
The emblem of Chi-Lin has been used in the official robe of the imperial magistrate and also in the central stage of their court room.
In Malaysia, the federation and the People’s Cultural Arts Institute are presently promoting this special dance to the public.
It is believed that the performance of the Qilin dance during the year of the horse will bring good harvest, good health and prosperity because the Chi-Lin resembles the horse.