‘Wǔ shī’ literally means ‘dance lion’ — combining 舞 (wǔ), meaning ‘to dance’, and 狮 (shī), meaning ‘lion’. It refers to the traditional Chinese performing art known in English as the lion dance, where performers inside an ornate lion costume mimic the movements of a lion to music, often during festivals like Chinese New Year or business openings. The dance symbolizes courage, strength, and good fortune, and is believed to ward off evil spirits.

The lion dance differs from the dragon dance: while the dragon involves many performers holding poles under a long fabric body, the lion dance is performed by two people — one controlling the head and the other the tail — creating lifelike gestures such as blinking, chewing, and leaping. Regional styles exist, notably the northern (more acrobatic) and southern (more symbolic and ritualistic) forms. It’s deeply embedded in Chinese cultural celebrations and community events across the Sinophone world and overseas Chinatowns.