The Southern Lion is a later evolution in the south of China with Guangdong province most likely being the origin. Associated with the origin of this dance is some lore: one story describes that the dance was introduced as a festivity in a village where a mythical monster called Nian was successfully banished; another story is that the Emperor of Qianlong dreamt of a promising creature while on an excursion of Southern China, and ordered that the form of the creature be recreated and used during festivities. It is likely, however, that the Southern Lion of Guangzhou is a variation of the Northern Lion in characteristics and local myths, possibly during the Ming Dynasty.
