Ox Ole

There is a tradition in China of dancers wearing masks to resemble animals or mythical beasts such as dragons, fish, or phoenixes while dancing to mimic these creatures' movements for good luck and fortune. These dances are an integral part of Chinese New Year celebrations and weddings, and many cultural and religious festivals. The large elaborate masks are often made of paper-mache over a bamboo frame and then beautifully painted and adorned with layered cloth, feathers, and fur. Equally colorful costumes accompany the masks, and the dancers shake, leap, and twirl to the vigorous rhythm of powerful drum beats. During the Chinese New Year, troupes of dancers visit houses and shops in the community to perform a dance called cai qing (採青), plucking the greens, which will bring good fortune to the home or business offering the greens. Originally, the cai qing referred to lettuce, but now the greens can be fruit, seafood, or even beer. The lettuce is hung on a pole for the dancers to plu