During celebrations of local deities’ birthdays and in festive events in the New Territories, people can always enjoy the “qilin dance” performance. “Qilin” is a legendary animal and one of the four benevolent animals in Chinese mythology, along with the dragon, phoenix and tortoise. Hakka qilin dance veteran AU YEUNG Shu-nin has been fond of animal dances since he was young. He can make qilin heads. This day, he brings his apprentices up to the mountain late at night to hold a consecration ceremony for the newly-made qilin. Since the qilin is deemed an auspicious animal, qilin dancers have to follow a lot of etiquette rules. For instance, a qilin dance parade must be led by a qilin dance master. Besides, the dancers have to be able to express different emotions of the qilin like merriness, suspicion, surprise and anger. Haifeng qilin is also known as “Hoklo” qilin. The unadorned and straightforward style of the Hoklo qilin dance is completely different from that of the Hakka qilin dance, which is in a more agile style. “Hoklo boxing” coach CHEUNG Man-sing teaches Luoshan-style martial arts as well as Haifeng qilin dance. He believes that having solid punching and kicking skills is the prerequisite for being able to use weapons. In order to master the Haifeng qilin dance, punching and kicking drills and horse stance training are fundamental with no shortcuts to success. Every year, on 21 July in the Lunar Calender, the Tin Hau Parade in Peng Chau is the ideal opportunity to see the Haifeng qilin dance. You will also see the custom of the qilin rushing to the temple, which is believed to bring good fortune. However, the popularity of this bold and powerful behemoth has been increasingly threatened by the adorable-looking and smaller-sized Southern Lion in recent years. Dongguan qilin dance used to be the predominant animal dance performed in walled villages in the New Territories. Nevertheless, this auspicious animal, which is considered the symbol of vil